These Household Items Could Kill You - Part 4

13. Antibacterial soap

“Antibacterial” only sounds like a good product but it’s the triclosan component in the soap that causes problems. The Food and Drug Administration says that animal studies have shown triclosan, alters hormone regulation. Other studies in bacteria have raised the possibility that triclosan contributes to making bacteria resistant to antibiotics. The ingredient kills all – bad and good bacteria. Wash your hands with water and regular soap to prevent the spread of germs, or use natural hand and dish soaps that don’t have triclosan, chlorine, or phosphates in them.

14. Expired food products

Some items have a very long shelf life and that’s why people forget to check the expiration date. But it’s there for a reason. Products won’t work after a certain amount of time. You can risk food poisoning, cramping, and vomiting.

15. Dish sponge

The sponge is often referred to as the dirtiest item in the kitchen, if not in the entire house. It is 200,000 times dirtier than a toilet seat – and could even cause paralysis due to bacteria called campylobacter. There are around 10 million bacteria per square inch of a kitchen sponge and a million per square inch on a dish cloth, according to research. Fecal bacteria from raw meat fester in the moist environment. Change it every week or so.

16. Air fresheners

The problem with air fresheners is the phthalates in them. These chemicals can lead to hormonal imbalances and reproductive problems. Side effects for men include lower testosterone levels, decreased sperm counts, and lower sperm quality, according to the National Resource Defense Council. Exposure to phthalates during development can also cause malformations of the male reproductive tract and testicular cancer. Many air fresheners don’t even list phthalates as an ingredient.