Although many of us don’t realise it, homes are often full of potentially toxic substances. In many cases, there can be easy steps to prevent these substances from doing harm. Here are just five of the most dangerous substances of which to be wary.

Lead

Lead was once a common ingredient in many household paints until people realised that it was highly toxic. Ingesting lead can lead to kidney failure, brain damage and, in serious cases, death. Peeling paint is the biggest danger – especially if you have infants or pets that are most likely to put flakes in their mouth. The sale of lead paint has been banned in most places around the world, however many homes are thought to still have lead paint on their walls. You can test for lead using a lead test kit. There are lead removal companies that can help to remove this substance for you.

VOCs

Whilst all modern paints are lead-free, many still contain other toxic chemicals known as volatile organic compounds (VOCs). These are given off as vapours primarily when paint is still wet, however they can continue to be released for years after. Whilst they aren’t as much of a hazard as lead, they’ve been linked to headaches and dizziness. Long-term exposure could even result in an added risk of cancer. There are many low VOC paints that don’t emit these harmful vapours – you should opt for these where possible.

Asbestos

Asbestos was once a commonly used construction material heralded for its fire-proof and insulating qualities. Sadly, this miracle material was found to be highly dangerous when damaged – microscopic particles of asbestos can be released into the air and breathed in, which can cause major irritation to the lungs. Asbestos has been directly linked to a lung cancer called mesothelioma, as well as causing CPD in many people. If you suspect you have asbestos in your home, you should call a professional asbestos removal team to deal with it.

Urea formaldehyde

Urea formaldehyde is a chemical that is commonly used as a glue in many pressed wood products. It has been known to give off vapours that can be irritating to the eyes and throat and has been known to bring on asthma attacks. Whilst still used today in many products, it’s usually done so in a careful and controlled manner that prevents the release of vapours. The biggest danger is older pressed wood products – particularly from the 1970s when these products were most popular. You should keep your home well ventilated if you have such products (or get rid of them).

Benzene

Benzene is an ingredient emitted by many household products and has been proven to be carcinogenic. Some of the main culprits to look out for are mothballs and air fresheners. Not all mothballs and air fresheners contain this ingredient – in fact, the number that do contain benzene are disappearing – however it’s still an ingredient of which you should be careful. The full name of the ingredient is ‘paradichlorobenzene’ and should be listed on the products ingredients on the packaging.

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