By ALICE PARK | 1st April 2010

Hazards Lurking at Home
With so many scary-sounding, potentially toxic compounds turning up in our household products, it's hard to know which agents are really worth worrying about. Here is a guide to some of the most commonly found toxins, the latest information from animal and early-stage human studies, and what all that means for your home

Top 10 Household Toxins

1. Bisphenol A (BPA)
2. Oxybenzone
3. Fluoride
4. Parabens
5. Phthalates
6. Butylated Hydroxyanisole (BHA)
7. Perfluorooctanoic Acid (PFOA)
8. Perchlorate
9. Decabromodiphenyl Ether (DECA)
10. Asbestos

1. Bisphenol A (BPA)

What It Is: A chemical used in plastic production
Found In: Water bottles, baby bottles, plastic wraps, food packaging
Health Hazards: The government's National Toxicology Program has concluded that there is some concern about brain and behavioral effects on fetuses and young children at current exposure levels
What You Should Know: Switch to glass products when possible

2. Oxybenzone

What It Is: A chemical used in cosmetics
Found In: Sunscreens, lip balm, moisturizers
Health Hazards: Linked to hormone disruption and low-birthweight babies
What You Should Know: About 97% of Americans have the compound in their urine, but current exposure levels have been deemed safe

3. Fluoride

What It Is: A form of the basic element fluorine
Found In: Toothpaste, tap water
Health Hazards: Neurotoxic and potentially tumorigenic if swallowed; the American Dental Association advises that children under 2 not use fluoride toothpaste
What You Should Know: Government studies support current fluoride levels in tap water, but studies on long-term exposure and cancers are ongoing.

4. Parabens

What They Are: Synthetic preservatives
Found in: Products like moisturizers and hair care and shaving products
Health Hazards: Causes hormone disruptions and cancer in animals
What You Should Know: The FDA has deemed current levels in cosmetics safe, but paraben-free products are available

Image: Website Screenshot Fluoride (Link)

5. Phthalates

What They Are: Chemicals that give plastic its resilience and flexibility
Found In: Toys, raincoats, shower curtains, vinyl flooring, detergents, food packaging, shampoos
Health Hazards: Animal studies show reduced sperm counts and reproductive abnormalities; evidence of a link to liver cancer in humans
What You Should Know: Congress passed legislation in 2008 to ban six phthalates from toys and cosmetics

6. Butylated Hydroxyanisole (BHA)

What It Is: An additive that preserves fats and oils in food and cosmetics
Found In: Chewing gum, snack foods, diaper creams Health hazard May promote cancer in lab animals
What You Should Know: BHA is hard to avoid in foods, but the government limits its levels. Listed as Preservative (321)

7. Perfluorooctanoic Acid (PFOA)

What It Is: A component of Teflon nonstick coatings
Found In: Tap water, nonstick pots and pans
Health Hazards: Has been found to cause hormone disruption and reproductive abnormalities in animal and human studies
What You Should Know: The EPA is urging makers to stop using PFOA by 2015. Until then, avoid heating empty Teflon cookware to high temperatures

8. Perchlorate

What It Is: An oxidant in rocket fuel
Found In: Drinking water, soil, some vegetables Health hazard Disrupts thyroid's hormone production
What You Should Know: Environmental groups are urging the government to lower perchlorate levels in drinking water

9. Decabromodiphenyl Ether (DECA)

What It Is: A flame retardant
Found In: Electronics, furniture, carpets
Health Hazards: Permanent learning and memory deficits; hearing defects; decreased sperm count in animals
What You Should Know: Following EPA advice, the industry began phasing out the chemical in December 2009

10. Asbestos

What It Is: A naturally occurring fibrous mineral
Found In: Housing insulation, drywall, artificial fireplace logs, toys
Health Hazard: Mesothelioma, a fatal cancer
What You Should Know: Asbestos in products is not always labeled, and while most manufacturers have abandoned it or reduced its levels, it's still not banned by the U.S. government