How to Prevent Breast Cancer: 20 Risk Factors

Many household cleaning products contain chemicals that may be detrimental to our health. Just look at the labels: Many say "use in ventilated area", or "seek medical help if ingested", or "skin or eye irritant", etc. Unfortunately, there is very little regulatory oversight of cleaning products and many are very poorly labeled, with phrases like "secret formula" being used to tantalize the consumer into thinking there is special magic in the cleanser. In reality, many household cleaning products contain chemicals like alkylphenols (example: 4-nonylphenol) that are endocrine disruptors (endocrine disrupting chemicals mimic hormones and have been implicated in increased risk for breast cancer and other health problems) as well as toxins that affect both our brains and our reproductive systems.

For many household tasks, simple baking soda (a gentle abrasive) or dilute warm vinegar work as well if not better than more toxic alternatives. For other suggestions see these guides at the Environmental Risks and Breast Cancer project and The Daily Green.