The catch can be expected not only from household chemicals. To be honest, cleaning products are the lesser of evils.
When we talk about household poisons, the first thing that comes to mind is bleach, nail polish remover, cleaning products. But here the principle “forewarned is forearmed” operates. We know what to expect from them, so we try to clean with open windows, ventilate the room, wear gloves, and protect our eyes and skin. But there are things that slowly, gradually, do their dirty deed – they poison our lives. Literally.
Furniture
According to the Association of Furniture and Woodworking Enterprises of Russia, about 40 percent of bedrooms, kitchens, hallways and upholstered furniture in our country are made illegally. Such manufacturers are called “black furniture makers”. Their tables and sofas are cheaper than “white” ones, but they are not responsible for the quality at all. No one will check what materials the furniture is made of, how much it complies with the formaldehyde technical regulations. If the content of this poison in the chipboard exceeds the standard, the consequences can be dire: from banal irritation of the upper respiratory tract to bronchitis and pneumonia, from watery eyes to dermatitis. But the effect will also be cumulative.
In addition, according to Lenta.ru, the danger may be not only in formaldehyde. “Black furniture makers” use poisonous agents to protect upholstered furniture from moisture, and the furniture itself is covered with lead paint – it has been banned for use for more than a dozen years because of its toxicity.
You can run into poisonous furniture in any large specialized supermarket. And there is only one way out – to check the certificates, to trust the manufacturers who are ready to document the quality of the goods.
Wallpaper and paint
They can also contain toxic substances: benzene, formaldehyde. They will evaporate unnoticed every day, poisoning the air. Vinyl wallpapers are considered the most poisonous, and paper wallpapers are the most environmentally friendly. But a lot, of course, also depends on the manufacturer, to what extent his product complies with the standards.
The choice of paint must also be approached responsibly: an attempt to save money can turn you into allergies, problems with the kidneys, liver and nervous system.
Flooring
It’s one thing if it’s a natural fiber carpet on a natural basis. But for the most part, modern carpets and carpets are pure synthetics. There is nothing wrong with this, such coatings are much more hygienic than natural ones: bacteria will breed in them with much less enthusiasm. But the glue and the material itself from which the coating is made may not be of very high quality. If they exceed the formaldehyde content norm, it is literally dangerous to breathe next to such a coating.
The same applies to linoleum – it must be certified and meet all sanitary safety requirements.
Cutting board
There are no poisons in it. But full of bacteria. In microcracks and scratches, they multiply at a breakneck speed – and washing does not always help. Boards need to be changed regularly. Moreover, wood in this respect is much safer than plastic: wood has natural bactericidal properties, due to which the likelihood of catching an infection decreases.
Houseplants
Yes, our green friends can be dangerous. Therefore, many of the indoor flowers are not advised to keep at home if you have a small child or pet. For example, ficus, philodendron, spathiphyllum, anthurium – the full list can be found HERE.
And some plants also cause allergies. If you really like geraniums or azaleas, then put them somewhere away from your bedroom or other place where you spend a lot of time.
Gas stove
Homes with gas equipment require a special approach. Needless to say, equipment should always be in perfect order. You may simply not notice a leak, because natural gas is odorless. It is deadly for them to breathe. There is one more nuance: perfect ventilation, not only in the kitchen, but also in the bathroom. Unfortunately, there have already been cases when people died while lying in the bathtub, the door was closed too tightly, and the ventilation was completely blocked.