12 Cancer-Causing Things You Need to Remove from Your Bedroom Right Now

Written by Shamita Dhingra  • 

Have you wondered why the modern generation is so afflicted by lifestyle diseases? The food, the water, the air—all are rife with allergens, irritants, and pollutants. Thankfully, many of us understand what could be harmful to us, and we take necessary steps to distance ourselves from its ill-effects.

But there are also things in our immediate environment that we take for granted, but they are no less than health perils. It is also our limited awareness that stops us from knowing and doing what might be safe for us.

Do you know you might be living amidst a horde of toxic materials inside your very home? They can be really harmful, inviting a host of health scares, including cancer. These include household cleaners, air-fresheners, detergents to baby bottles and furniture.

Here, we will try to understand how can we detoxify our bedrooms and homes by making some basic changes to the things that we use on a daily basis. Read further to learn more about it.

1. Pillows And Pillow Cases

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You might think that the cotton used in your pillow must be harmless, but shockingly, they are treated with a large quantity of insecticides and pesticides. It is better to buy pillows made of organic cotton or materials like hemp, wool or linen.

2. Artificial Fabrics

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Before you buy that fancy designer outfit, make sure it is not made with artificial fabrics like nylon or polyester. They consist of toxic components like plastic and formaldehyde that mostly gets absorbed into our bodies through our own skin. Moreover, the so called ‘wrinkle-free’ or ‘stain -free’ fabrics are treated with PFCs (perfluorochemicals) to make them that way. The best clothes to wear are the organic cotton ones.

3. Synthetic Materials

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The materials used to make your bed sheets or duvets are also largely synthetic. They make use of oil, coal and natural gas to prepare a liquid which is passed through a nozzle containing extremely tiny holes. As the liquid cools and solidifies, it takes the shape of the fabric. So, they are more plastic by nature. They can also interfere with the lymphatic system.

4. Furniture With Faux Leather Or Fabric

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The synthetic leather is made of PVC OR polyvinyl chloride. They are a group of chemicals called phthalates that are too dangerous. They can mess with the endocrine functions and can have far reaching health concerns like congenital defects, delay in learning and growth, diabetes, and even cancer. In fact, PVC is known to release dioxins that are known to be a dominant carcinogen.

5. Furniture Made Of MDF

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Medium Density Fibre board or MDF is commonly used to make wardrobes, tables, beds, chairs and what not! It is light and affordable. However, it is treated with formaldehyde that is known to irritate the skin, causing dermatitis. It also aggravates the conditions associated with the mucous membranes and can even cause asthma. Apart from sore head and allergies, it has also been linked to cases involving throat cancer. Though the effects of formaldehyde wear out gradually, it is enough to cause you serious health hazards.

The best alternatives are picking up solid wood materials from the second-hand stores or glass furniture. They are readily available and are affordable too.

6. Rugs

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Both wooden or tiled floors are easy to clean, but many of use rugs to add some color and aesthetics. But rugs are potential hosts for dust-mites, dirt, allergens etc. In case you have one, make frequent use of a good vacuum cleaner to keep its surface clean and free of germs.

7. VOC Paints

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The paints that we use on our walls are dense with VOC or Volatile Organic Compounds. These compounds contain carbon chemicals and easily mix with the air. They are major pollutants, that can cause headaches, ENT complications, liver problems and nausea, and are also suspected carcinogens.

There is a range of non-VOC paints in the market. You could make use of those and avoid inhaling these toxic chemicals.

8. Shoes

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When you enter the house, make sure to leave your shoes outside or in a shoe rack. If you enter your house with your shoes on, you bring in the dirt, chemicals, and germs from outside that could travel with your shoes all over your house. It is a must to maintain hygiene inside the house.

9. Gadgets

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Remove all electrical gadgets from your bedroom, especially your mobile phones. They have very high radiation that should not be in continuous contact with you. As such we are always traveling around with our phones, or are glued to laptops or television, but once you reach home, it is better to spend some time with the family and catch up on quality sleep.

10. Mattresses

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The usual mattresses that we have in our homes are treated with chemicals to make them fire and stain resistant. All this sounds very safe and convenient, but they are not good for our health. To opt for an organic mattress made with natural cotton and fabric will be more beneficial.

11. Air Purifiers

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There are plenty of good options when it comes to air- purifiers. They can be even custom made to tackle specific problems like pollution or allergies. Do check for ozone release and avoid the purifiers with that feature.

12. Drapes And Shades

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Heavy drapes that contain artificial synthetic fabrics are worst for you. They trap dirt, dust and other allergens that can cause you much distress. Go for curtains that are organically made using natural fabrics or the blinds made of organic wood. You could also buy your own fabric and get it custom made.

Those were some of the things that secretly cause health issues without you realizing the reason. If you have any persistent symptoms mentioned above or you wish to avoid them in future, do make the said changes and go for a greener and a cleaner home.

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