In modern life, it is almost impossible to get by without using any chemicals. Products such as cleaner, air freshener, are common items in our homes with chemicals that suppose to make our clean, fresh and bug-free. The development of chemicals would serve to help us be cleaner, and generally ‘improve’ our lives has had a devastating effect upon our immune systems. The typical living environment encounters up to 2,100,000 man-made chemical exposures daily.
Moreover, the kitchen seems to have the most chemicals product usage compared to other rooms in our houses. There are even studies suggest using biodegradable chemicals for kitchen usage. Let get to know some of these chemicals in the kitchen.
Kitchen Chemicals
Some of the kitchen chemicals usages are either for a food additive or cleaning items. Although we use these chemicals all the time as well as other people that we know, however, there are some dangers behind it. There are some effects in food additive for health and the environment. that people need to know about.
Moreover, there is a long list of harmful cleaning chemicals to be aware of to ensure safety when using chemicals in the kitchen.We are going to look at just a few of the harmful chemicals in your kitchen, that we eat and that we use for cleaning.
Kitchen Chemicals that we eat
There are many food additives that contain chemicals with bright color and strong taste to appeal to buyers. There are some chemicals in them that may have a harmful effect in the long run.
1. Artificial Flavoring
Artificial flavoring refers to man-made chemicals created to taste the same as natural flavors, such as vanilla, strawberry, or lemon. The use of this chemical is very common due to its cheap price. There is a side effect where several studies suggest it may result in behavioral changes in the future.
2. High Fructose Corn Syrup
Products in the kitchen have many chemicals in it that people to need understand. This corn based is popular with food manufacturers usage. It is because cheaper and sweeter compared to cane sugar. Moreover, it maintains moisture while preserving freshness.
This additive is extremely common in processed food. If people consume it in large amount repetitively, it can cause heart disease, accelerating the aging process, raises cholesterol and triglyceride fats in the blood.
3. Monosodium Glutamate (MSG)
MSG is made of components naturally found in our bodies from water, sodium, and glutamate. However, it doesn’t mean it’s meant to be ingested. MSG is a flavor enhancer for seasonings, condiments, bouillons, and snack chips. It has bad effects on human health result in s headaches, seizures, nausea, tightening in the chest, and a burning sensation in the forearms and neck.
4. Sodium Benzoate
This chemical is a common substance to a preservative in both drinks and food products. It shows some effects on human health. If it is combined with food color, sodium benzoate may increase hyperactivity in children. Moreover, It also reacts with vitamin C to create a cancer-causing substance called benzene.
5. Aspartame
This artificial sweetener commonly used in diet drinks and some food items. Aspartame is controversial for years and has been reported to cause seizures, headaches, mood disturbances, and even cancer. This compound can be found in famous sweeter such as Equal or NutraSweet.
6. Sodium Caseinate
Sodium Caseinate is a biochemical compound in many dairy products. Therefore, this chemicals may sit on your fridge racks, even if you are not aware of. It’s suspected to contribute to many milk-based allergies, upset stomach. However, if someone consumes not in accordance with the rules, then large quantities of Sodium Caseinate can also harm your kidneys.
7. BHA (Butylated Hydroxyanisole)
BHA is a preservative that frequently found in many foods such as butter, cereal, beer, baked goods, dessert mixes, and chewing gum. This substance is very safe that it gain recognition” by the Food and Drug Administration, the National Institute of Health categorizes it as “reasonably anticipated to be a human carcinogen.”
Kitchen Chemicals for Cleaning
The ingredients in all-purpose cleaners are a combination of detergents, grease cutting agents, solvents and disinfectants. These products may contain one or more chemicals that also hazardous. Depending upon the ingredients in the particular cleaner, they can cause mild to extreme irritation to the skin, eyes, nose, and throat, and corrosive if swallowed. Here are some chemicals in the kitchen used for cleaning.
1. Ammonia
This common chemicals for cleaning can cause eye and lung irritation, rashes skin, and respiration issue when it is inhaled. Moreover, if Ammonia combines with Chlorine, it can produce deadly chloramine gas. Therefore, it is dangerous to mix chemicals if you don’t know what you are doing.
2. Ethylene Glycol Monobutyl Acetate
A small amount of this substance can cause dizziness. It has sweet smells that attract animals, which is very poisonous to them. For human it also can cause damage to internal organs through skin absorption.
3. Sodium Hypochlorite
This chemical in the all-purpose cleaner can cause corrosive to skin and mucous membranes.
4. Chlorine
This substance fumes highly irritating to the human eyes and respiratory tract. Chlorine is a common chemical for bleach. If its vapors can cause skin, eyes, nose, and throat irritation. People can have dermatitis result from direct skin contact. Therefore, it is important to handle chemicals carefully.
5. Carbon Monoxide
This colorless and odorless gas can kill human very quickly. Its mild symptoms and even non-irritating to the skin, when coming into contact, makes it even more dangerous. Many deaths and serious health damage results of this compound that can happen in the comfort of your kitchen. Fuel containing carbon is inadequately burned with poor ventilation in the house, especially in a kitchen.
6. Sulfuric Acid
Anything acid in a chemical name is always dangerous. This compound works best by eating away material to get back their shine. However, it also peels up your skin if it comes in direct contact. Likewise, if it vapors and inhales to human respiration systems, then there are many serious inner system failures. This chemicals also has a bad effect on the environment, especially if it releases to the drains.