(NaturalNews) All the dusting, vacuuming and countertop cleaning in the world doesn't make a house a healthy home. In fact, according to numerous experts, even simple, non-cleaning related activities, such as sitting down on a carpet or storing food, may wreak havoc on our health.

Cancer survivor Kris Carr's website explains that everyday items can negatively impact health, affecting everything from the development or worsening of cancer and autism to reproductive and neurological disorders. The toxins that create such devastating health problems lurk in carpets, shoes, electronics, food storage containers and more.

Everyday items that contain toxins

For example, microbiologist Dr. Philip Tierno says, "Rugs are botanical and zoological parks." He explains that a carpet can hold several times its own weight in dirt and toxins. Ones that haven't been replaced in several years may be more than 4,000 times dirtier than a toilet seat.

To make matters worse, carpet and other kinds of floor paneling or construction materials contain formaldehyde, a known carcinogenic and respiratory irritant. However, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) notes that foam insulation with formaldehyde is "seldom used" these days, but does acknowledge that other formaldehyde-based resins lurk in items like particle boards, cabinetry and paneling.

Plastic containers are also a cause for concern. If they're made before 2010 or have a recycling designation of a "3" or a "7," that means they likely contain phthalates. Phthalates are thought to be harmful for pregnant women, as research has found an association between exposure to phthalates and birth defects. To be on the safe side, store food in glass containers.

The U.S. Department of Health & Human Services' (HHS) web site, http://householdproducts.nlm.nih.gov/index.htm, lists a complete rundown of harmful household items. They range from glue sticks and certain printer inks to car antifreezes and floor polishes. Any one of these can cause headaches, blurred vision, birth defects, respiratory infection, rashes, coma and even death.

It's best to always stay in the know and when in doubt, refer to the HHS site to get the latest list of home items that are potentially hazardous to our health.

Sources for this article include:

http://kriscarr.com/blog/chemicals-in-everyday-products/

http://blogs.naturalnews.com

http://www.epa.gov/iaq/pubs/hpguide.html#formaldehyde

http://householdproducts.nlm.nih.gov/index.htm

About the author:
A science enthusiast with a keen interest in health nutrition, Antonia has been intensely researching various dieting routines for several years now, weighing their highs and their lows, to bring readers the most interesting info and news in the field. While she is very excited about a high raw diet, she likes to keep a fair and balanced approach towards non-raw methods of food preparation as well. >>> Click here to see more by Antonia