In our daily life, some seemingly ordinary and harmless household items actually have hidden health risks. The latest regulations have banned several common household products precisely because they contain ingredients that can cause cancer. These items may be quietly sitting in your living room, kitchen, or even bedroom. We are in intimate contact with them every day, but we often ignore the dangers behind them. Understanding these invisible killers is the first step in protecting our own health and that of our families. Let's take the necessary knowledge together to avoid these potential health threats.
Did you know that those plastic bowls and storage boxes that we use every day can actually be the invisible killers of health. The key to the problem lies in plasticizers. It sounds a little strange, but it's actually everywhere, especially in the soft plastics. The main role of plasticizers is to make plastics softer and easier to shape. Sounds great, right? But when these chemicals are exceeded, they can slowly seep into our daily lives and even into our bodies.
Think about it, those plastic utensils you use every day, if the plasticizer exceeds the standard, every bite of food may invisibly affect your health. The effects, while chronic and insidious, may not be apparent until a long time later. Doesn't that sound scary?
So, what do we do? First of all, it's important to recognize the signs. Many safe plastic products will have a food safety certification mark. When buying plastic products, be sure to take a close look at the label of the product and try to choose those brands with good reputation and safety guarantees. In addition, it is best to avoid plastic items that are not clearly marked or of unknown origin, especially when storing food or using them in hot environments.
Now let's talk about formaldehyde in decoration materials. Did you know that the materials used in decoration may quietly hide the health killer - formaldehyde? This colorless gas, which often exists in furniture, flooring, and paint, may silently invade our living space once it is released. The pungent smell emitted by the newly renovated house is probably the "trouble" of formaldehyde.
Long-term inhalation of low doses of formaldehyde may cause symptoms such as headaches and skin allergies. What's more, formaldehyde is classified as a Class I carcinogen by the World Health Organization, and long-term exposure may even increase the risk of cancer. As a result, more and more people are paying attention to indoor air quality, especially when it comes to indoor decoration. It has become a trend to choose materials with no formaldehyde or low formaldehyde emissions. For example, some environmentally friendly furniture and flooring will be clearly marked with low formaldehyde emissions.
But the key is, how to ensure that the materials we choose are really safe? When purchasing decoration materials, we should pay attention to the environmental certification mark of the product, for example, some products will be marked with "E0 grade" (indicating very low formaldehyde emissions). In addition, it is also a good choice to conduct a professional indoor air test, which can get a more accurate understanding of the indoor formaldehyde concentration. Don't forget that whether it's a newly renovated house or newly bought furniture, adequate ventilation is an effective way to reduce formaldehyde concentrations. Opening windows for ventilation and letting fresh air in can not only reduce the harm of formaldehyde, but also make our living environment more comfortable and healthy.
Let's talk about asbestos. This outdated-sounding term is still lurking in the building materials of many old houses. Asbestos was once widely used in roofing, insulation, and even floor tiles because of its excellent fire resistance and thermal insulation properties. However, a big problem with asbestos is that it is classified as a Group I carcinogen by the World Health Organization.
The danger of asbestos is that when these materials break or age, tiny asbestos fibers can get into the air. These fibers are highly susceptible to inhalation and accumulate in the lungs over time, which can lead to serious health problems such as pneumonia and lung cancer. But don't worry, the key to dealing with asbestos is to identify and treat it correctly. If you live in an older house, it is very important to know what materials the house is built from. If you suspect asbestos materials in your home, it's best to have a professional test for it.
Keep in mind that self-demolition may release more asbestos fibers, which in turn increases the risk. If the test result is positive, then professional asbestos removal and treatment is even more important. Appropriate precautions are taken by a team of professionals to ensure that asbestos fibres do not spread into the air. At the same time, they will properly dispose of these asbestos-containing materials in accordance with safety regulations.
Through such a series of measures, we are not only able to protect our own health, but also ensure the safety of our families and those around us. In this world full of unknowns, let's become smarter and safer together, and create a healthier living environment together.