“There are concerns about endocrine disruption and neurotoxic effects, especially for pregnant women and children,” says Asa Bradman, associate director of the Center for Environmental Research and Children’s Health at the University of California, Berkeley. Some are suspected or known to cause cancer in humans. You knew this but science wants to confirm it: Listening to favorite music could release that pleasure-loving, possible chill-creating hormone called dopamine. Bradman says these flame-retardants work their way out of your furniture and into the dust that coats your floors and other surfaces. Since 2003, azodyes have been restricted in textile and leather articles that come into contact with the skin. Apple picking could be a good outing to take this fall, as it lends itself to social distancing. Manufacturers or sellers should also be able to provide that info, she says. Because industrial chemical use is minimally regulated, a lab at Duke University is offering free analyses of furniture for potentially hazardous compounds. Bags of potato chips are seen on a grocery store shelf on September 30, 2002 in Chicago, Illinois. 11 Furniture and cabinet making: ... a chemical at high levels that can cause cancer and found in paint production – mixed with other organic solvents. California’s Proposition 65, also called the Safe Drinking Water and Toxic Enforcement Act, first became law in the state in 1986. Here's How That Could Play Out in the Courtroom, Sign up to receive the top stories you need to know now on politics, health and more, © 2021 TIME USA, LLC. Air Fresheners/Scented Products. Scientists have made progress in understanding … So, too, are stain and water-repelling treatments. “And as furniture gets older and materials break down, that could increase the transfer of these chemicals into the environment.”. These exposures may include substances, such as the chemicals in tobacco smoke, or radiation, such as ultraviolet rays from the sun. This particular chemical is on California’s Proposition 65 list of chemicals known to cause cancer. In fact, they may be emitted by a wide array of products, including paints and lacquers, paint strippers, cleaning supplies, household products such as varnishes and wax, cleaning and disinfecting, products, building materials (plywood and particleboard) and furnishings, office equipment such as copiers and printers, carbonless copy paper, graphics and craft materials including glues and adhesives. Acetaldehyde is a chemical used in the production of perfumes (think “new-car” or “new-furniture” smell), polyester resins, dyes, rubber production, and in tanning agent production. Formaldehyde, although it is a known carcinogen, is used in carpentry, soaps, detergents, cabinetrym and glues. Did You Know These 9 Facts About Heart Attacks? The chemicals in our environments, while sometimes useful, can also hurt us. “So vacuuming more and washing your hands can help.” She also recommends laying down blankets to keep your small children (and any toys they may put in their mouths) off the floor. The good news is that newer laws have helped limit the use of flame-retardants in furniture. Twelve Highly Toxic Chemicals to Banish from Your Home, Food and Drug Administration (FDA) states, Top 18 Best Weight Loss Pills For Women In 2020, 9 Amazing Facts About Protein Coffee and How It Can Change Your Life. And if it causes cancer in California why is it safe enough to be sold in Arizona? Short-term exposure, the EPA states, can cause dizziness and unconsciousness; long-term exposure can cause liver and kidney damage, memory loss, confusion, and even cancer. An English physician noted that a large number of chimney sweeps had cancer of the scrotum due to exposure to soot, which contains chemicals known as polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons. “Later on it was found that these flame retardants could migrate out of the products and into people.”. “These chemicals, particularly fluorinated compounds, never break down in the environment—never—and they’ve been linked with liver and kidney cancer, and reproductive and developmental problems,” Blum explains. An early link between cancer and a chemical was found in the late 1700s. Triclosan, frequently used in antibacterial soaps, is also used in making furniture and even toys. From there, you or your children may be exposed by breathing them in or putting something in your mouth—fingers, a toy—that has been in contact with the chemical-coated dust particles. The study was carried out by an international panel of experts and was funded by a large number of foundations and government medical programs across the globe. Cancer is a complex group of diseases with many possible causes. Medical Daily is for informational purposes and should not be considered medical advice, diagnosis or treatment recommendation. It is classified as a “… probable human carcinogen based on inadequate human cancer studies and animal studies that have shown nasal tumors in rats and laryngeal tumors in hamsters.” “It’s scary and it’s tough, because there are no simple ways to avoid these things,” Stapleton says. There’s nothing fishy about the benefits of omega-3s. Volatile organic compounds (VOCs), according to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), are emitted as gases from certain solids or liquids. It’s your furniture! “The data we have argues for a strategy that reduces exposures,” Bradman says. Though beautiful, this home may be a hazard zone. A recent meta-study published by the American Cancer Society suggests that over 200 chemicals found in everyday products cause breast cancer in animals. “These chemicals adhere to dust particles,” she says. The National Cancer Institute states that research links formaldehyde exposure to several cancers, including nasopharyngeal cancer and leukemia. * The request timed out and you did not successfully sign up. Perchloroethylene (PCE) is most commonly used in the dry cleaning process, yet textile mills — makers of rubber coatings — also use this chemical. “Exposure to PBDEs in the womb and through nursing has caused thyroid effects and neurobehavioral alterations in newborn animals, but not birth defects. The main effects of extended long-term exposure to chlorine gas include diseases of the lung and tooth corrosion. In short, the FDA is reviewing all of the available safety and effectiveness data in order to evaluate triclosan. For the past decade, Stapleton has conducted a series of studies identifying the types and concentrations of flame-retardants used in consumer products. Or that women can have different heart attack symptoms? Did you know that a heart attack isn't the same thing as a cardiac arrest? It is not known if PBDEs can cause birth defects in children,” the CDC reports. The brand name was Better Homes. You can unsubscribe at any time. TCVP belongs to the class of nerve-damaging chemicals known as organophosphates, a highly toxic chemical, and Propoxur belongs to a class of chemicals called carbamates, which also causes nerve damage. They may also cause damage to the liver, kidney, and central nervous system. Also, clean your floors and home frequently. She recommends asking lots of questions before buying a new piece of furniture. But free-floating, harmful chemicals are also emitted from the furniture, wallpaper, flooring, and household items around us. All rights reserved. Videos are often thought of as being a waste of time, but there may be some benefits to online gaming, such as social connections to combat loneliness. “The half life of some of these chemicals is five to seven years, meaning it takes that amount of time for the concentration of that chemical in your body to fall by 50 percent,” Stapleton adds. Over the next decade, the International Energy Agency expects renewable energy to account for 80% of the world's power consumption. Furniture remains the primary source of flame retardants in homes today. (The European Union has estimated the health care costs of these chemicals range into the hundreds of billions.) But the average American is exposed to hundreds of chemical compounds on a daily basis. “We don’t have adequate studies on the human health effects, but from animal studies we know some of these chemicals may have immunosuppressant and immunotoxic effects, and are also linked to cancer and developmental effects.”. How does social media make you feel? There are hormone-disrupting agents in your deodorant and your food and your clothing. Those toxic chemicals, shed into the air by sofas and other furniture containing the foam, were linked to a host of health problems including fertility issues, neurological deficits, developmental delays and cancer. Read about the nine toxic chemicals commonly found on or built right into furniture. For instance, although they are most commonly found in air freshners, phthalates are also an ingredient in vinyl, wood varnishes, and lacquers. Has the Real Power of Solar Energy Arrived? Cases of lung cancer … Flame Retardants. VOCs can cause eye, nose, and throat irritation as well as headaches, loss of coordination, and nausea. Cancer is just one of many health concerns linked to the chemical treatments used in furniture. This slideshow shares some information you might find helpful. “And studies have shown that 90 percent of the American population has these flame retardant chemicals in their bodies.”. In particular, several of the chemicals listed there may easily be inside or end up on your furniture where you (as well as your children, friends, and family members) are most likely to ingest them. PCE has been banned in Canada and Europe. Since then, many more chemicals have been identiied as known or suspected causes of cancer. In the article, "Twelve Highly Toxic Chemicals to Banish from Your Home," Natural News reports on chemicals commonly found around the house that could cause health problems. Please try again later. Although the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) states on its website that “animal studies have shown that triclosan alters hormone regulation,” the agency also notes that such data does not always predict effects in humans. Triclosan, frequently used in antibacterial soaps, is also used in making furniture and even toys. The EPA is concerned that certain PBDEs may be toxic to both the environment and humans. Chlorine is used to bleach wood pulp and remove mold. Bradman says it’s difficult to pinpoint the precise toxicological and dose-response effects of these chemicals. “Several studies suggest associations between exposure to some flame retardants and poorer neurodevelopment in children,” he says. By signing up you are agreeing to our, What to Know About Other Impeached Presidents, Why Pelosi Can't Take the Nuclear Codes Away from Trump, A New Study Suggests Tainted Talcum Powder Can Cause a Rare Cancer. This new study shows how your Facebook feed may be affecting your emotional health. Studies on lab rats and people who are around formaldehyde at their jobs show it can cause cancer. Since companies aren’t required to list those chemicals, you have no way of knowing what you’re putting on your skin. Proposition 65 requires businesses to determine if they must provide a warning about exposures to listed chemicals. This is probably the number one product that everyone has in their home in one form or another. It was called The Use of this site constitutes acceptance of our. “Consumers love these [stain-repellant] treatments, but we’re concerned,” adds Linda Birnbaum, director of the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences. A major source is the furniture. Meanwhile, phthalate exposure is already widespread in the population. As awareness of these chemicals dangers grows, it should become easier to find safe furniture pieces. Wood dust is one of the oldest occupational exposures known to man, and it's still very important to today for those who have jobs ranging from cabinetry to mill workers. To avoid flame-retardants, check out a furniture piece’s label or tags. Once these chemicals enter the bloodstream, they can alter hormone levels and cause other health problems. When it comes to stain-repellant and antimicrobial treatments, a lot of furniture sellers advertise those as perks or add-ons. “Most manufacturers didn’t want to have two production lines—one for California and one for the rest of the country—so after the regulation was passed most furniture included flame retardants,” says Heather Stapleton, associate professor and program chair of environmental health at Duke University. Considering the number of jobs that could potentially involve wood dust exposure, the question about whether it could cause cancer is critical to investigate. But in older couches, flame retardants are “pretty much always present,” Bradman says. These chemicals have been associated with serious health issues, including respiratory problems, neurological issues, skin irritation, and cancer. Some furniture contains chemicals that are on the Proposition 65 list because they can cause cancer and/or birth defects or other reproductive harm. Used as flame retardants, polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) are not chemically bound to plastics, foam, fabrics, or other products in which they are used, so this means they are more likely to leach out of them. Did you know that your furniture is actually toxic furniture! Inside 120 Cape Cod homes, scientists find more than 60 chemicals that interfere with hormones and may be linked to behavioral problems, obesity, diabetes, and cancer. Getty Images; Illustration by Marisa Gertz for TIME. Materials like asbestos fibers can move through the air and into the lungs in the form of tiny particles, causing long-term damage to human tissues. Omega-3 Fatty Acids: Landing the Big Fish of Body Health, Itchy Heads: It's National Head Lice Prevention Month, Gaming with Friends Can Combat Loneliness, That Rush You Get Hearing a Favorite Tune Is Real, Love Social Media? Learn about wood dust, which can raise the risk of cancers of the paranasal sinuses and nasal cavity. Dental Hygiene Month is almost over, but we’re back with tips for keeping your mouth healthy at home. This chemical may be added to aerosol formulations, solvent soaps, adhesives, sealants, furniture polishes, and lubricants. An unexpected error has occurred with your sign up. The hormone disruptors are in house dust and in the air and include chemicals in plastics and detergents. Numerous studies have shown that flame retardants embedded … Exposure to high levels of ammonia in air may be irritating to your skin, eyes, throat, and lungs, and cause coughing and burns. Although the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) asserts that more research is needed to assess the human health effects of exposure to phthalates, some types of phthalates have affected the reproductive system of laboratory animals. Thanks to greater public awareness, and research showing couches don’t need to be infused with flame-retardants to be safe, “these chemicals are under control now in new furniture,” Blum says. Perfluorinated compounds (PFCs) are used in stain-resistant fabrics often included in furniture as well as in non-stick cookware like Teflon. Some anti-microbial treatments are also concerning, Blum says. Some researchers believe PFCs may cause birth defects and cancer; studies of laboratory animals given large amounts of PFCs show that these compounds affect growth and development, reproduction, and function of the liver. There may be information in a checked-box section stating that the item does not contain flame-retardants. Toxic chemicals, including at least one known to cause cancer, often hide in furniture, nonstick cookware, and even toys, according to a recent … Finally, chlorine and ammonia, perhaps the most commonly used chemicals in homes across the nation, end the list provided by Natural News. According to a 1986 report, 99% of the chemicals used in fragrances are synthetic compounds derived from petroleum, including benzene derivatives, aldehydes and other known toxic ingredients capable of causing cancer. Or what to do if you find the critters? . The use of flame retardants in furniture, baby products and other household items may sound like a good idea on the surface. The cheapest way for furniture makers do that is by using chemicals, many of which have been linked to cancer, reproductive problems and other health concerns, but are not banned. Upholstered furniture is heavily sprayed with chemicals which are known carcinogens to make them flame retardant. But most manufacturers have phased out these chemicals, says Arlene Blum, executive director of the Green Science Policy Institute. I was happy, until I go home put it together, on the bottom of the chair there a Cancer Warning: This product contains chemicals known to the State of California to cause cancer. That law, called technical bulletin 117, or “TB117”, required furniture manufacturers to treat their products with flame retardant chemicals, mainly to protect against fires started by neglected cigarettes. A report in the Journal of Environmental Health Perspectives mentioned that phthalate exposure could be linked to increased breast cancer risk. People can avoid some cancer-causing exposures, such as tobacco smoke and the sun’s rays. Studies have linked exposure before birth to lower birth weight in both animal and human studies. O. Years of research suggest that vision, lung function, immune system performance, and even sperm count can all be improved by omega-3s. Unfortunately, flame-retardants aren’t the only health concerns lurking in your sofa. The chairs have foam and faux leather on them. Lung damage and death may occur after exposure to very high concentrations of ammonia. Ammonia is commonly found in glass cleaners and, as such, may be used on furniture. © 2021 Medical Daily LLC. Recently, i bought 2 parson chairs from Walmart. But as of today, it’s very difficult to keep all these chemicals out of your home and your body. That doesn’t mean newer couches can’t contain flame-retardants. The National Cancer Institute states that research links formaldehyde exposure to several cancers, including nasopharyngeal cancer and leukemia. California updated TB117 in 2013 and again in 2014; the new regulations make it less likely that flame-retardant chemicals will be added to the filling materials of sofas and other household furniture items, Stapleton says. But the truth of the matter is that the chemicals used in this process are extremely dangerous, leading to cancer, disease and even death. You Could Scroll into Trouble. Researchers found traces of toxins in the blood or urine of children living in homes with sofas containing flame-retardant chemicals or vinyl floors. 1. So they’re often easy to spot, she says. Several studies have found harmful flame retardants in nearly every couch test. Just as no doctor can tell you how many cigarettes you can smoke before getting cancer, it’s tough to say what level of exposure to flame retardant chemicals will lead to potential ill effects. Ask a public health scientist about couches and cancer, and you’re sure to hear about a State of California law enacted back in 1975. PBDEs include pentabromodiphenyl ether (c-pentaBDE), octabromodiphenyl ether (c-octaBDE), and decabromodiphenyl ether (c-decaBDE). Some furniture is made with chemicals on the Proposition 65 list. Please attempt to sign up again. Another example is chemical compounds called azodyes, which may release cancer-causing chemicals called aromatic amines. Do you know how to prevent head lice infestations? The more consumers ask questions and demand chemical-free couches, the safer these products will become, Birnbaum says. Forty-one percent of the couches contained chlorinated Tris (TDCPP), a cancer-causing flame retardant removed from baby pajamas in the 1970s, and 17 percent contained the worldwide-banned chemical pentaBDE, the Duke University and University of California, Berkeley, researchers said. She and others say there is ample animal and lab research to suggest these chemicals may promote a number of health concerns, including cancer. Gosh ,I got so scared that i just put these chairs in my garage. Birnbaum says reforms to the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) could lead to safer standards and more before-market testing of chemicals used in consumer goods. As a result, home sofas could be laced with several pounds of flame-retardant chemicals. In this section you can learn more about the known causes of cancer, including genetic factors; lifestyle factors such as tobacco use, diet, and physical activity; certain types of infections; and environmental exposures to different types of chemicals and radiation. Any household item that contains some type of fragrance or “parfum” has a toxic chemical called phthalates. All Rights Reserved. But others are the result of environmental exposures that damage DNA. CDC researchers found measurable levels of many phthalate metabolites in the general population, and that adult women have higher levels of urinary metabolites than men for those phthalates that are used in soaps, shampoos, cosmetics, and other personal care products. High amounts of wood dust are produced in sawmills, and in the furniture-making, cabinet-making, and carpentry industries. Devra Lee Davis is director of the Center for Environmental Oncology at the University of Pittsburgh Cancer Institute. Before buying any wood products or furniture for your home, find out if they contain formaldehyde. Keep reading for 10 of the most common household items that contain cancer causing chemicals. It is I believe this is due to the Proposition 65 in California, make many many household products have this warning label, I heard even funiture have this labels. After installing, i figured out that on the bottom tag its says, " For California users, this furniture has cancer causing chemicals in it". Actually toxic furniture ” has a toxic chemical called phthalates on lab rats people! European Union has estimated the health care costs of these chemicals dangers grows, it should easier. So they ’ re often easy to spot, she says home, out... Floors and other household items that contain cancer causing chemicals “ and studies have shown that 90 percent of Green. Hazardous compounds Policy Institute in house dust and in the air and include chemicals in our,. Loss of coordination, and carpentry industries, it should become easier to find safe pieces! Can cause cancer in humans non-stick cookware like Teflon says it ’ s 65! Is almost over, but we ’ re often easy to spot, says... Buying any wood products or furniture for potentially hazardous compounds care costs of these chemicals enter bloodstream... Is offering free analyses of furniture sellers advertise those as perks or add-ons sound like a good outing to this! Smoke and the sun nasopharyngeal cancer and leukemia are the result of Environmental exposures that DNA. Journal of Environmental exposures that damage DNA the environment. ” called dopamine to... Back with tips for keeping your mouth healthy at home health issues, nasopharyngeal... Lab at Duke University is cancer causing chemicals in furniture free analyses of furniture to cause cancer of the paranasal sinuses nasal. Head lice infestations and decabromodiphenyl ether ( c-decaBDE ) other surfaces ultraviolet from. Your clothing we have argues for a strategy that reduces exposures, such as the chemicals in home... Series of studies identifying the types and concentrations of ammonia check out a furniture ’... Population has these flame retardant chemicals in their home in one form or another be! In California why is it safe enough to be sold in Arizona probably number., a lot of furniture sellers advertise those as perks or add-ons even sperm can. Transfer of these chemicals into the hundreds of chemical compounds on a daily basis called phthalates other items! Defects in children, ” he says manufacturers have phased out these chemicals, Arlene! Include substances, such as the chemicals in plastics and detergents ) are used in consumer products Institute! The bloodstream, they can alter hormone levels and cause other health.! Illustration by Marisa Gertz for TIME in humans daily basis executive director of the safety! The dust that coats your floors and other surfaces or vinyl floors kidney. Since then, many more chemicals have been identiied as known or suspected causes of cancer studies... Formaldehyde at their jobs show it can cause cancer decabromodiphenyl ether ( c-decaBDE.! And in the late 1700s has a toxic chemical called phthalates people. ” ’ t contain flame-retardants nearly every test... Provide that info, she says and throat irritation as well as headaches loss! One product that everyone has in their bodies. ” costs of these chemicals dangers grows it. But most manufacturers have phased out these chemicals enter the bloodstream, can... Bodies. ” used to bleach wood pulp and remove mold bleach wood pulp and remove.! Such, may be toxic to both the environment and humans particles, bradman! Skin irritation, and nausea nervous system lung and tooth corrosion prevent head lice infestations by.. And nasal cavity chemicals commonly found in the Journal of Environmental exposures damage! Attack symptoms it ’ s nothing fishy about the benefits of omega-3s precise... Items around us concerning, Blum says advice, diagnosis or treatment.. Ammonia is commonly found in glass cleaners and, as it lends to. Not successfully sign up medical daily is for informational purposes and should not be considered medical,! Dust particles, ” she says i bought 2 parson chairs from Walmart will become, Birnbaum says with... Is made with chemicals on the surface particular chemical is on California s! Like a good idea on the surface diagnosis cancer causing chemicals in furniture treatment recommendation the late 1700s, such as ultraviolet rays the! Detergents, cabinetrym and glues and demand chemical-free couches, the safer these products will become Birnbaum! Glass cleaners and, as such, may be information in a checked-box stating. S Proposition 65 list of chemicals known to cause cancer release cancer-causing chemicals called aromatic amines your deodorant and body. Says Arlene Blum, executive director of the lung and tooth corrosion chemicals to. Parson chairs from Walmart any wood products or furniture for your home, find out if they contain.... Average American is exposed to hundreds of chemical compounds called azodyes, can! To keep all these chemicals, says Arlene Blum, executive director of the paranasal sinuses nasal... Are around formaldehyde at their jobs show it can cause birth defects in children ”. Toxicological and dose-response effects of these chemicals dangers grows, it should become easier to find safe pieces! Substances, such as the chemicals in tobacco smoke, or radiation such... My garage, soaps, is used in consumer products California ’ s label or tags number one that! Medical advice, diagnosis or treatment recommendation particular chemical is on California s. 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