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A kitchen sponge, mascara, antibacterial soap… All these items are always at hand, we are used to using them, but they can be harmful, experts say.
Air fresheners
Air fresheners may contain phthalates, which allow the fragrance to stay in the air longer. In large doses, they can adversely affect reproductive function and fetal development. “It’s much better to remove bad odors with natural fragrances (such as essential oils) than with chemical fresheners,” said Sonia Lander, senior analyst at the US Environmental Task Force.
Antibacterial soaps and disinfectants
Disinfecting hands, body and apartment space around the clock is also not worth it. And not only because pathogenic bacteria quickly acquire resistance to triclosan, which is part of these products. Triclosan itself is also unsafe, according to a report from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. It can lead to hormonal imbalances and is also thought to contribute to the development of antibiotic resistance.
Old food containers
It’s worth checking out the kitchen and throwing away the clear, rigid containers marked “7” or “pc” (meaning polycarbonate). “These types of containers may contain the toxic substance BPA,” explains Sonia Lander. “In addition, it is better not to store deformed or cracked containers.” However, in recent years, manufacturers of plastic dishes have abandoned the use of BPA, so recently purchased containers are most likely beyond suspicion. But it is better to part with the old ones without hesitation.
Old mascara
“Liquid cosmetics, including mascara, accumulate a lot of bacteria over time,” says Thomas Steinmann, MD, Fellow of the American Academy of Ophthalmology. – What happens in the end: bacteria from eyelashes and skin are collected on the brush, then it is placed in a case, where bacteria actively multiply in a humid environment at room temperature. Then you paint her eyes and, along with mascara, put even more bacteria on her eyelashes, and this is already a threat to your vision. That is why in two or three months the mascara must be changed to a new one.
kitchen sponge
A kitchen sponge is just a collection of harmful microorganisms, microbiologist Philippe Tierno warns. Some recommend microwaving sponges to kill germs. However, Michael Doyle, director of the Center for Food Safety at the University of Georgia, advises not to use them at all. “The sponge dries for a long time, and in a humid environment at room temperature, microbes multiply rapidly. And even in the dishwasher, they do not die. It’s better to use wipes, as they are much thinner and therefore dry quickly, Doyle advises. But after a few days they need to be washed or thrown away.