Bedding among 3 household items to ‘avoid at all costs' after links to stroke, cancer and 356,000 deaths in just 1 year
HOME HAZARDS Bedding among 3 household items to 'avoid at all costs' after links to stroke, cancer and 356,000 deaths in just 1 year
A TOP scientist has revealed three everyday household items we should 'avoid at all costs' after they were linked to a raft of serious health problems.
Repeated exposure could lead to cancer, infertility, and strokes, she warns.
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Polyester sheets may be riddled with dangerous PFAS
Credit: Getty
Dr Shanna Swan, a reproductive epidemiologist and member of the Plastic Health Council, says Brits are being exposed just by eating, sleeping, and showering.
This is because many household items contain microplastics - tiny fragments of plastic less than 5mm in size.
These particles have now been found throughout the human body, including the brain, lungs, blood, and even unborn babies.
Studies have linked them to a range of potential health issues, including reproductive problems, cancer, cardiovascular disease, and neurological effects.
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They can also contribute to inflammation, cell damage, and disrupt the gut microbiome.
One plastic chemical alone, a phthalate called DEHP, was linked to more than 356,000 deaths worldwide in a single year, according to a study by Professor Leonardo Trasande from New York University, US.
Phthalates are chemicals used to make plastic more flexible and durable.
They've been linked to hormone disruption, fertility problems, developmental issues, and a higher risk of certain cancers.
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Studies have also connected phthalate exposure to asthma, ADHD, obesity, and type 2 diabetes.
"Every day that passes more plastic chemicals enter our bodies through items many consider safe and normal," Dr Shanna says.
The 6 everyday items 'poisoning' you with toxic plastics linked to cancer
'Whilst there are some plastic products we should aim to avoid at all costs we need regulatory action if we are to see real change.
"We must phase out toxic plastics and prioritise health in every part of the plastics supply chain.'
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The three items Dr Swan and other experts are most concerned about are food containers, bedding, and personal care products.
Plastic containers used for microwave meals, takeaway packaging, and clingfilm can release phthalates when heated or frozen, previous research has found.
Synthetic bedding, like memory foam pillows, polyester sheets, and mattresses, may contain flame retardants and water-resistant coatings known as PFAS.
PFAS are a large group of synthetic chemicals used in consumer products worldwide since the 1950s.
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When heated up, plastic containers can release chemicals linked to fertility problems
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Some shower gels are made of plastic-based chemicals that can be absorbed through the skin
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Exposure has been linked to increased risk of certain cancers, altered immune function, liver damage, and reproductive and developmental issues.
Some studies also suggest links between PFAS and thyroid disease, changes in cholesterol levels, and behavioural problems in children.
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These chemicals can be absorbed through the skin, especially during long hours of sleep.
Toiletries, including shower gel, shampoo and moisturiser, may also contain phthalates as well as other plastic-based chemicals such as acrylates and thickeners.
These substances can be absorbed through the skin, potentially causing irritation, hormonal disruption, and long-term health effects.
'Plastic is not inert," Sian Sutherland co-founder of the Plastic Health Council and campaign group A Plastic Planet said. "It is a toxic mixture of chemicals".
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She added: "If governments and industry refuse to protect us we need to take charge of our own health and demand to know why when the science has been so clear for decades are our babies now born pre-polluted. When will enough be enough.'
The warning comes as world leaders gather in Geneva to finalise the UN Global Plastics Treaty which aims to reduce plastic production and ban toxic chemicals from everyday products.
Most nations back strong measures but a small group of oil-producing countries and the plastics industry have delayed progress.
The Plastic Health Council is calling for a cap on plastic production, a ban on harmful substances and mandatory chemical testing of all plastic products before they reach consumers.
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