If you do not maintain your humidifier properly, harmful bacteria such as Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Streptococcus pneumoniae, and Legionella can multiply and cause various respiratory illnesses. Thoroughly clean the humidifier’s water reservoir every other day and allow it to dry completely when not in use.
Chemical cleaning
Clothing that is difficult to clean is often taken to the dry cleaner. However, chemical cleaning uses petroleum-based chemicals, such as benzene and ethylbenzene, which are harmful to health.
Perchloroethylene, a major ingredient in cleaning products, is a proven carcinogen. Prolonged exposure to these substances increases the risk of cancer of the esophagus, uterus, and bladder. Inhalation of these substances can cause symptoms such as dizziness, drowsiness, memory problems, and skin rashes.
Remove the plastic immediately from dry-cleaned clothing and let the clothing air out for 3 to 4 hours before storing it.
Receipts
Receipts printed on thermal paper contain chemicals such as bisphenol A (BPA), a known endocrine disruptor.
Prolonged exposure to BPA can lead to hormonal disruption, premature puberty, and birth defects, and is linked to uterine and breast cancer, as well as diabetes and obesity. Handle receipts with care. Keep a blank copy and do not carry them in your pocket or wallet.
Research from the University of Missouri has shown that when you hold a receipt with wet hands for about two seconds, the BPA absorption is 80 times higher than the safety standard.
Hairbrushes
Hairbrushes can contain enormous amounts of bacteria. According to research by the Korea Institute for Health and Society Research, they contain up to 300 times more bacteria than a toilet flush and 20 times more than a shoe rack.
These bacteria can cause itching, dandruff, inflammation of the hair follicles, and even hair loss. Clean the brush or comb in warm soapy water for at least 10 minutes and then rinse it thoroughly with a toothbrush. Subsequently, let it dry completely in the sun.
