5 common items with hidden health risks
1. Hand sanitiser
These germ killers have become staples of life during the coronavirus pandemic. “The active ingredient for most proper hand sanitisers is ethanol or isopropanol,” Dickerson explains. But with demand for hand sanitisers at an all-time high, some companies have begun manufacturing knockoffs using a different type of alcohol, called methanol. Dickerson says methanol can be lethal if too much is absorbed through the skin.
What’s more, even some perfectly legitimate hand sanitisers have become potentially hazardous by adding fruity or floral scents, making them appealing to children. “We’ve heard reports across the country of children drinking hand sanitiser,” he says. Frighteningly, the alcohol concentration can be even higher than in hard liquor and can poison a young child. To be safe, buy hand sanitisers from verified sources that will stand behind their product, and keep the product away from children or others who might be tempted to ingest it.
2. Ultrasonic humidifiers
These “cool mist” humidifiers have grown in popularity in recent years, thanks to their nearly silent operation and affordable price points. They’re great at making dry rooms more comfortable by turning water into mist – but they can pose considerable respiratory risks if not used properly. That’s because they aerosolise everything that’s in the water – from minerals in hard tap water (often seen as a white dust that lands on nearby objects) to mould and bacteria that may build up without routine cleaning. Dickerson recommends following any manufacturer instructions carefully, particularly if they advise using distilled or filtered water. He also recommends cleaning humidifiers frequently.
3. Furniture
There’s something about heavy, sturdy furniture that makes us feel like we’re buying quality products. But in fact, heavy and sturdy aren’t always the same thing. “You cannot look at a piece of furniture and tell if it’s going to be intrinsically stable under normal use,” Dickerson says. “It’s one of the biggest home hazards in terms of injury or death, he says, citing the many people who are injured by a piece of furniture falling over on them. Dickerson says Consumer Reports is actively working with manufacturers to design products with stability as a focus. In the meantime, he says, consider anchoring heavy pieces, such as dressers and bookshelves, to a wall to prevent accidental tipping.
4. Plastic containers
So-called “forever chemicals,” scientifically known as PFAs or perfluoroalkyl substances, are present in everything from reusable food storage and takeout containers to the liners on bottle caps and paper-based food packages, Dickerson says. Heating (or reheating) food in such containers is especially problematic. “As you increase the cooking temperature,” he explains, “the chemicals can leach from containers into the food.” These chemicals are also present in many nonstick pans, which is why you should never heat them to more than 260° C or use utensils that could scratch the coating and release the chemicals. Exposure to these forever chemicals – which never break down and accumulate in the body over time – may have detrimental health effects, such as low infant birth weight, thyroid problems, immune system issues, and may even contribute to cancer. You won’t be able to tell if the food packages you purchase contain PFAs, but you can resolve to use glass storage containers at home and never reheat food in plastic.
5. Generators
Many people rely on backup power generators when their electricity goes out during a storm. But an average of 180 people die each year from carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning due to improper use. “Portable generators should never be used inside your house” or your garage, says Dickerson. Instead, it should be placed at least 6 metres from your home and any neighbour’s home, with the exhaust pointed away from any dwellings. “If people have less than 6 metres between houses, point it toward the street,” he advises.
This article originally appeared on Reader's Digest.