Cancer-causing household items: Experts say you need to throw away three toxic household items to prevent cancer

Cancer is one of the leading causes of death worldwide, especially lung cancer and cancers of the respiratory tract. But who would think that your home, a place considered to be completely safe, could also become a source of carcinogenic substances?

According to experts, many everyday household items are highly toxic and should be disposed of immediately to improve your health! Dr. Surabh Sethi, a gastroenterologist and hepatologist from the US, says the main side effects of some everyday items are that the chemicals they contain attack the central nervous system and may lead to the development of cancer.

Some of these articles are:

Scented candles

Dr. Sethi says scented candles – known for their calming effects and soothing fragrance – pose a major health threat. “Scented candles contain phthalates, which are known to disrupt hormone levels,” he said on his Instagram account.

Studies have shown that burning candles releases potentially dangerous hydrocarbons that contribute to indoor air pollution. They also release trace amounts of toluene and benzene, which are commonly used in paint thinners and adhesives. Without adequate ventilation, exposure to toluene can cause eye, nose, throat and skin irritation. Toluene can also cause headaches, dizziness, confusion and anxiety.

Benzene is also released during forest fires, volcanic eruptions and when coal or oil is burned, and is mainly used in industry and the pharmaceutical sector. According to experts, benzene is carcinogenic and has been shown to increase the risk of leukemia and other blood cancers.

Plastic cutting boards

Several studies suggest that plastic cutting boards release microplastics into food, exposing users to millions of plastic particles. Harvard researchers have linked microplastics to cancer, reproductive problems and digestive issues. “These can break down over time and release microplastics into your food, which can build up in your body,” said Dr. Sethi.

Microplastics are tiny plastic particles less than five millimeters in diameter that can take hundreds or thousands of years to decompose. You can switch to eco-friendly wooden boards and an organic dishwashing powder to clean them.

Scratched or chipped non-stick pans

According to Dr. Sethi, scratched or chipped nonstick pans release microplastics and chemicals that have been linked to cancer. “These contain PFAs, which are linked to high blood pressure, cholesterol and reproductive problems. The damaged pans can release these particles into your food,” he said.

Scratched pans also release chemicals that are released over time. Exposure to these chemicals can lead to health problems such as liver disease, kidney cancer, chronic kidney disease, and high blood pressure. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the EPA, exposure to PFAS at certain concentrations can be extremely harmful to health.

This Teflon-coated pans release toxic fumes into your food too. An Australian study published last year showed that just one surface crack in a Teflon-coated pan can release up to 9,100 plastic particles. Dr. Sethi recommended replacing your pans with stainless steel or cast iron ones, which are easy to handle and also reduce cooking time.