Treacherous Toxins: 7 Chemicals to Keep Out of Your Kitchen

The kitchen is the place where we nurture. We cook for friends and family, help with tricky homework assignments, and share tea with friends who need our company. With that in mind, you’ll be unhappy to know that many things found in the average kitchen are toxic. The good news is that we’re giving you a heads-up on seven of them. Use the information below to give your kitchen the detox it needs.

Perfluorooctanoic Acid (PFOA)

Perfluorooctanoic Acid (PFOA) is often found on kitchen surfaces designed to resist heat, oil, and other substances needed for cooking and food preparation. It is a known toxin that can injure and impact the liver. Along with PTFE (polytetrafluoroethylene), PFOA is commonly found on non-stick pans. Thankfully, the best PFOA and PTFE free cookware will help you avoid exposure to these chemicals.

Bisphenol A (BPA)

BPA is common in plastic food containers used to store leftovers and ingredients. Sadly, you may even find it in your children’s lunch boxes. This toxic chemical can negatively impact the brain and other areas of a child’s body. Some studies suggest it could have links with blood pressure issues, heart disease, and even type 2 diabetes.

Oven Cleaners

Oven cleaners dissolve hardened materials that otherwise cake an oven after repeated use. The pH of oven cleaner is often as high as 14, making it incredibly acidic and harmful if it touches the skin. Of course, you should wear gloves when using the product, but additionally, the chemicals can be a real hazard if proper ventilation is used. You can avoid this nasty product altogether by mixing vinegar, baking soda, and water to clean your oven regularly.

Dish Soap

Ever wondered why dish soap dries your hands out? The reason is that it often contains harsh chemicals designed to kill germs. Unfortunately, strongly perfumed dish soap can be a real irritant to the skin and lungs. It also commonly contains low levels of formaldehyde, a known human carcinogen. So, be careful which brand you select, and always read the labels.

Bleach

Bleach is a strong cleaning product that you might use when you want to disinfect certain areas of the kitchen that need more than a spritz of multi-surface spray. Unfortunately, bleach is an intense and toxic chemical, meaning it should not be used in the home if it’s at all possible to avoid it.

Cleaning with bleach releases nasty chemicals into the air that can irritate the eyes, lungs, and skin. Bleach is also known to be bad for the environment too, so it’s best avoided all-round.

Drain Cleaners

Drain cleaners commonly use something called sodium hydroxide, otherwise known as lye. Lye is corrosive and very similar to oven cleaner, if not stronger. As with oven cleaners, if you can avoid using this product – which is, by the way, designed to literally melt hair and drain debris – you should. Instead, try a natural drain-cleaning solution.

Ammonia

Ammonia is a standard kitchen cleaner because it breaks down grime and removes stains. Unfortunately, it can also burn and damage your airways t with prolonged, intense exposure. Although using it in a cleaning situation is likely to be much milder, it’s still really nasty stuff and best avoided.

Armed with this list of chemicals to keep out of the kitchen, you can ensure the most important part of your home is safe and toxin-free for the health of yourself and your loved ones.