Hidden dangers of bathroom cleaning: How harmful chemicals can increase cancer risk
Photo: Why cleaning the bathroom could lead to cancer (freepik.com)
Regular cleaning can pose a threat to your health. You might be shocked to learn that everyday bathroom cleaning products could carry more risks than you think, according to Nottinghamshire Live.
Why cleaning the bathroom could lead to cancer
Harmful chemicals, such as formaldehyde, phthalates, and volatile organic compounds (VOCs), which are often present in certain cleaning products, are a significant source of indoor air pollution.
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) links these substances to breathing problems and even cancer in extreme cases.
By choosing non-toxic alternatives and ensuring good ventilation, these risks can be reduced.
Experts have shed light on the hidden dangers of using certain products in your bathroom.
Not all cleaning products contain these harmful substances, but some include chemicals like formaldehyde, phthalates, and VOCs.
According to the EPA, these substances significantly contribute to indoor air pollution, leading to breathing issues, headaches, and other long-term health problems.
This risk is especially prevalent in enclosed spaces with limited ventilation, allowing these chemicals to linger in the air for extended periods.
Certain household cleaning products contain preservatives that release small amounts of formaldehyde. Although it's in small quantities, formaldehyde is released to inhibit the growth of microbes.
These preservatives include quaternium-15, DMDM hydantoin, imidazolidinyl urea, diazolidinyl urea, polyoxymethylene urea, sodium hydroxymethylglycinate, bromopol, and glyoxal.
How to choose bathroom cleaning products
When selecting cleaning products, it's important to carefully read the labels and choose those that do not contain formaldehyde. But should we be concerned about it?
This chemical is indeed present in some disinfectants and air fresheners. Furthermore, it is classified as a human carcinogen.
Prolonged exposure to formaldehyde can increase the risk of cancer. Additionally, phthalates, which are commonly found in scented products, can disrupt hormonal balance and are associated with various health issues.
Moreover, volatile organic compounds (VOCs) can deteriorate indoor air quality, potentially leading to long-term breathing problems.
According to one study, workers who were exposed to high levels of formaldehyde were diagnosed with myeloid leukemia and rare cancers, including cancer of the paranasal sinuses, nasal cavity, and nasopharynx.
This material is for informational purposes only and should not be used for medical diagnosis or self-treatment. Our goal is to provide readers with accurate information about symptoms, causes, and methods of detecting diseases. RBС-Ukraine is not responsible for any diagnoses that readers may make based on materials from the resource. We do not recommend self-treatment and advise consulting a doctor in case of any health concerns.
