Common household chemicals linked to health risks and simple swaps to reduce exposure

Independent.co reports that everyday household items can expose people to multiple chemical hazards — including PFAS, BPA, phthalates, microplastics and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) — found in cookware, plastics, cleaning products, textiles and personal care items.

The piece notes PFAS are so common in Britain that they are now present in nearly everyone’s blood and that new studies link them to conditions such as cancer, infertility and cardiovascular mortality. It says BPA is classed as hazardous in the EU because of effects on fertility and irritation, that phthalates are proven endocrine disruptors with links to birth defects, and that microplastics are increasingly shown to harm human health. The article gives practical examples: non-stick pans often contain PFAS, plastic jugs and utensils can leach phthalates, clingfilm contains phthalates, sprays send chemicals into the lungs, and mattresses and soft furnishings can outgas VOCs.

Dr Jenny Goodman recommends practical swaps — glass or ceramic food storage, wooden utensils, PFAS-free or cast-iron pans, cream cleaners or organic laundry products, and airing out dry‑cleaned clothes — and advises making changes gradually. The article emphasises uncertainty about cumulative effects and that many cause-and-effect links remain largely unknown, and quotes her: "If you do 80 per cent of it, that’s enough."

Key Topics

Health, Pfas, Bpa, Phthalates, Microplastics, Vocs