Urgent! 6 Carcinogens in Everyday Life You Should Know About

I'm going to tell you about 6 carcinogens in our daily lives. It's important to be aware of the carcinogens around us and to prevent them. Please be sure to familiarize yourself with the carcinogens and hazardous substances that lurk everywhere in our lives and how to deal with them.

1. Scented Candles, Air Fresheners, and Deodorizers

Scented candles and air fresheners are often used in enclosed and smelly spaces like restrooms or elevators, or to change the atmosphere of a house. Most of these fragrance products contain limonene and phthalates.
 
Limonene is a substance that gives off a lemon scent, not only in air fresheners but also in bleach and kitchen detergents. It is known to be harmless in itself, but when it is released into the air and exposed to ozone, it turns into a carcinogenic substance called formaldehyde.
 
Formaldehyde is a Group 1 carcinogen designated by the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), and can cause unpredictable inflammatory responses, liver toxicity, lung cancer, nasal cancer, breast cancer, etc. Long-term exposure to pregnant women can adversely affect both the mother and the fetus.
 
Phthalates are a type of endocrine disruptor that helps fragrances stay in the air longer. When a large amount of them enter the human body, it causes endocrine disorders.
 
In particular, it increases the incidence of liver cancer, and in pregnant women, it increases the risk of premature birth. If children are exposed to phthalates, it can cause hormonal disruption, impaired brain development, and worsen attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).
 
As it turned out, in the first half of this year, the Ministry of Environment and the Korea Environment Industry & Technology Institute detected 623 products that were compliant with safety standards at the time of reporting but actually violated them. Among them, 5 products, including gloss coatings, air fresheners, and deodorizers, exceeded the formaldehyde safety standard by up to 16.7 times.

2. Humidifiers

In winter, due to the dry weather, most households use at least one humidifier. However, the issue of whether to use tap water or purified water to ensure safety when using a humidifier is always a topic of debate.
 
On this topic, one broadcaster measured the change in bacteria over time in the water tank of a humidifier. Initially, tap water showed fewer microorganisms compared to purified water, but after 12 hours, the microorganisms in purified water and tap water were observed at similar levels.
 
Experts say that since humidifiers hold water and are used for extended periods, bacteria are bound to grow in the water tank, whether it's tap water or purified water.
 
Furthermore, if the humidifier is not clean, numerous bacteria such as Staphylococcus aureus (which causes pneumonia and respiratory diseases), Klebsiella pneumoniae (which causes gastroenteritis and pharyngitis), and Pseudomonas aeruginosa (which causes sepsis through the respiratory tract) can multiply. Therefore, it is recommended that the water be changed at least every two days and the humidifier be thoroughly cleaned.

3. Dry Cleaning

We often take clothes that are difficult to wash using conventional methods to the dry cleaner. To remove stains from the clothes, they use petroleum-derived substances such as benzene, ethylbenzene, and xylene, which are obtained during the refining process of petroleum. Most of these substances are classified as Group 1A and 2A carcinogens by the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), meaning that the likelihood of them causing cancer is very high.
 
Dry cleaners often use plastic wrapping on clothes that are not completely dry, which is why the characteristic musty smell remains as those volatile organic compounds remain on the clothes until they are taken home.
 
According to the U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), the substance primarily used in dry cleaning, perchloroethylene, if exposed continuously, can easily enter the body through the skin or respiratory tract, increasing the risk of complications. A study published in a scholarly journal revealed that in severe cases, it can increase the risk of certain types of cancer, including esophageal cancer, uterine cancer, and bladder cancer.
 
The problem is that not only those working in this industry but also ordinary people who regularly dry-clean their clothes or uniforms are exposed to these substances, potentially experiencing dizziness, drowsiness, impaired memory, and in severe cases, skin rashes or breakouts.
 
In particular, some people store dry-cleaned items in their closets without removing the plastic wrapping. This can trap petroleum-based chemicals inside the plastic, leading to continued inhalation when opening the closet.
 
Volatile organic compounds have a low boiling point, so they easily move into the air when exposed to heat, such as sunlight. They are easily decomposed by ultraviolet (UV) light, so it's a good idea to open the plastic bag after receiving the laundry and air it out outdoors for 3 to 4 hours before shaking it off and storing it in the closet.

4. Receipt Paper

Receipts used in convenience stores, cafes, department stores, etc., are mostly made of thermal paper. Thermal paper is coated with a chemical substance on the surface and when heat is applied, the color appears, allowing text to be printed without ink. The problem is that bisphenol A is used as the chemical substance that makes the thermal paper change color.
 
Bisphenol A is a representative endocrine disruptor, also known as an environmental hormone, and is a substance that can penetrate the skin.
 
Research on bisphenol A conducted in various countries around the world, including the United States, France, and South Korea, has shown that in men, it can reduce male hormones and cause erectile dysfunction and azoospermia. In women, it can cause premature puberty and birth defects. Repeated exposure can lead to various diseases such as uterine cancer and breast cancer.
 
Recent studies have also shown that it affects diabetes, obesity, and atopic dermatitis, making it a matter of serious concern.
 
Bisphenol A is more soluble in oil than water, so if you touch it with hands that have hand cream, lotion, or cleanser, it is more readily absorbed into the body. A study by the University of Missouri found that when applying hand cream and then holding a receipt for 2 seconds, the amount of bisphenol A on the skin was nearly 60 times higher than the safety standard.
 
It shows how dangerous receipts can be even when handled briefly. Experts recommend handling receipts by holding the unprinted portion and quickly putting them away. If you work in a profession that requires frequent handling of receipts, it is advisable to wear gloves while working.

5. Hairbrushes

Shockingly, hairbrushes commonly used for styling hair and scalp massage harbor numerous bacteria. According to a survey by the Korea Institute for Health and Social Affairs, the bacteria found on hairbrushes are 300 times higher than those found on bathroom doorknobs and 20 times higher than those found on shoe racks.
 
The bacteria on hairbrushes can transfer to the scalp during brushing, causing itching, dandruff, folliculitis, and in more severe cases, even hair loss, making it a matter that should not be taken lightly.
 
The reason why hairbrushes have a high concentration of bacteria is that the dead skin cells from the scalp, residues of hair wax and sprays, and other hair products accumulate in the nooks and crannies of the brush each time it's used, creating an environment conducive to the growth of bacteria and fungi. It's advisable to soak the brush in shampoo-mixed water for at least 10 minutes, clean it with a toothbrush or similar tool, and fully dry it under sunlight before using it.

6. TV Remotes

A study published in the Infection Control & Hospital Epidemiology journal found Staphylococcus aureus, a bacterium that can cause skin infections and pneumonia, along with Escherichia coli (E. coli) found in feces, Klebsiella pneumoniae, and Enterococcus faecalis, among others. These bacteria can cause various diseases, including abdominal pain, headaches, diarrhea, pneumonia, and urinary tract infections.
 
Especially in multi-person households, TV remotes are touched by multiple individuals, making them a veritable breeding ground for bacteria.
 
Moreover, when staying at a hotel or pension, you inevitably have to touch the remote to turn on the TV. A study by the American Society for Microbiology found that among items in hotel rooms, TV remotes were more contaminated with bacteria than bed sheets, doorknobs, and bathroom surfaces.
 
Therefore, it is advisable to clean TV remotes frequently. While wiping them with a wet tissue is helpful, using alcohol-based hand sanitizer with a tissue, cotton pad, or cotton swab to clean the crevices thoroughly can ensure a cleaner result.