Lesser-known household dangers

Filed under: All Cancers

I came across a very interesting sidebar article in Men's Health the other day that spoke about some unknown causes of cancer. A researcher with the National Toxicology Program helped the editors of the magazine create a list of, shall we say, hidden carcinogens. Unlike the more obvious and known causes of certain types of cancer, such as tobacco and overexposure to the sun, these lesser-known causes could possibly be around you right now and you wouldn't be aware of their potential for harm. Until now, that is.

SAWDUST: Yup, the type found in garages, homebuilding projects, and even middle-school shop classes. Sawdust invades your nostrils, which can potentially cause nasal cancer. To help combat nasal cancer caused by sawdust, the Men's Health article suggests that you purchase a sander with a bagging feature and wear a dust mask while woodworking.

DEHP: This is short for Di (2-ethylhexyl) phthalate, which seems impossible to say, so we should probably stick with the acronym DEHP. This chemical is known to be in PVC pipes and plastic wrap used for food. It has been found to cause liver cancer and shrunken testicles (but only in rats at the moment, thankfully). In efforts to reduce your exposure to DEHP, avoid eating meats the supermarket has prepared and wrapped in plastic. You may also want to think twice about re-heating your plastic wrapped food in the microwave. As for the PVC pipes that are likely in your home plumbing system, I honestly don't know what to suggest. Neither did the researcher who helped put together the article in Men's Health. Sorry.

PFOA: Yet another acronym, this one being short for Perfluorooctanoic Acid. This substance is typically found on non-stick surfaces such as pots and pans. Early studies of non-stick products have discovered a possible link to liver cancer. A relatively easy remedy would be to get rid of your Teflon pots and pans and cook with regular pans coated with olive oil -- a good fat that is known for its many great health benefits, including its high Omega-3 content.

ARSENIC: This extremely harmful chemical is found in pesticides and lumber that was pressure-treated before the year 2004. Researchers have found that Arsenic increases the risk of developing kidney, liver, and bladder cancers. Two ways to avoid exposure to this carcinogenic chemical is to seal outdoor decks and use Arsenic-free pesticides on your lawn.

HCA: Short for Heterocyclic amines. Oddly, with all the talk about bacteria and the safety of cooking meats properly, this potential cancer-causing agent is brought to the fore when meat is overcooked and charred. It has been suggested that HCA elevates the risk of liver, colon and stomach cancers. According to the researcher in the Men's Health article, the best defense against HCA is to avoid eating any protein that has been charred, including meat and fish.

Add to del.icio.us

Digg this

Post to Furl

Add to reddit

Add to myYahoo!