What are Some Common Household Toxins?
Toxins can be found in many seemingly innocuous items in the home. Although there are many household toxins to be found in homes, especially old homes, there are three that are the most common. Mercury, phthalates, and formaldehyde are found in furniture, clocks, lamps, and plastics, so consumers need to be aware of exactly what they are getting. Mercury can be found in many old clocks and lamps. Pendulum clocks often have mercury — one of the common household toxins — in the pendulums to provide weight. Mercury is also used to weight the base of many older lamps. Some barometers and thermometers contain mercury, which indicates a change in pressure and temperature, respectively. Finally, antique mirrors used mercury to provide a reflective surface behind the glass. The danger of mercury is found in its vapors. Although odorless, mercury vapors can cause high blood pressure, diarrhea, vomiting, chest pain, shortness of breath, headaches, memory loss, and muscle tremors, among other sym
