You may have heard the basics of a healthy, safe home. Don’t keep cleaning chemicals anywhere accessible for children. Check the labels on food for expiration dates and ingredients you can’t pronounce. Stay away from harshly perfumed products. There are plenty of tips available, but still, it seems like things continue to fall through the cracks.
Many people think taking the basic steps is enough, and that products are generally safe. f they weren’t the government would step in and take care of the problem. Sadly, that’s not true. The FDA isn’t all-powerful, and frankly, sometimes lacks the resources to keep people safe. Here are 3 consumer products still in that market that are unsafe for you and your family, and are FDA or EPA approved.
Glyphosate in Weed Killer
RoundUp weed killer is the #1 used herbicide by volume in the world. In addition to being used in people’s personal gardens and in community beautification projects, the chemical is also frequently used to douse crops. Until recently, this was a widely accepted practice. Then, a series of lawsuits against Monsanto, the creator of RoundUp, revealed the truth: RoundUp contains a chemical called glyphosate, which is a probable carcinogen, or cancer-causing agent.
Not only is glyphosate now listed as a probable carcinogen by both the World Health Organization and the State of California, but also water contamination near production plants of the same weedkiller has been responsible for liver and kidney issues in both workers and residents. To make matters worse, it is incredibly hard to remove all traces of a herbicide from the crops it treats. Because of this, there may be trace amounts left on popular foods in the grocery store– trace elements have been found on brands like Quaker Oats and Cheerios.
Teflon Pans
What you cook with is just as important as what you eat! Which is why consumers are recommended to use microwave-safe dishes and containers and wash ladles, whisks, and spatulas thoroughly. However, a lot of people don’t think about the pots and pans they use to cook their meals.
I know it seems like every year there is a new product promising more consistent heat, a nonstick surface, or another fancy benefit, but sometimes these benefits come with a risk. Take, for example, the popular Teflon brand products. When they were released, they quickly became all the rage because of their nonstick surface. Then we learned that you should never use metal utensils on them because if you scrape the pan you have to throw it out.
That’s because that nonstick coating is actually toxic. Teflon is created in part by chemicals called poly- and perfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), which are carcinogenic. Depending on the level of exposure, they can cause kidney and testicular cancers, and can even impact a woman’s fertility. One way to be exposed is to actually consume the coating. If it is scraped off by a metal utensil, it may end up in your food. However, when the pan is heated, it releases these chemicals into the air, where they can be inhaled by you and your family. In fact, research showed that as little as 5 minutes on the stove is enough for a Teflon pan to release these toxic chemicals.
Although the EPA instituted a voluntary program to help companies stop using Teflon-like coatings with PFAS, many companies still market and sell these non-stick products. So next time you’re shopping for cookware, don’t be drawn in by the promise of nonstick. Always make sure your cookware is PFAS free and heat-safe before buying.
Talc in Beauty Products
There are a number of beauty products that contain talc, including some face powders, lotions, moisturizers, shampoos, and deodorants.But an alarming place to find talc is in baby powder, and this is because of evidence that points to a link between talcum powder and ovarian cancer.
Lots of women use baby powder for personal hygiene because it can be useful for dispelling feminine odors. Several studies have shown that the use of talcum powder near a woman’s vagina can increase the possibility of cysts and cancer after long-term use. Additionally, headlines continue to report about the lawsuits women are filing against brands that offer talcum powder products, women who’ve been diagnosed and felt that brands didn’t give them fair warning.
Despite all of this, the FDA still allows talcum powder to be used in many different cosmetic products. Furthermore, the same companies that are being sued by sick women continue to stick with the “safety” of their products.
In the end, it is up to us to choose the safest options when we look at products. We don’t have the option to rely on government agencies and corporations to make things safe. Sadly, money and politics often work against us in that regard. So hit the books (or Google), and do your research. Rally against unsafe products you learn about and keep your family healthy!