The average American household contains an estimated 62 toxic chemicals, according to environmental health researchers. They're in your cleaning supplies, your shampoo, your cookware, and your children's toys — hidden behind ingredient names most people can't pronounce, let alone evaluate.

This guide is a comprehensive, research-backed reference for the most common harmful ingredients found in household products. Every claim is sourced from regulatory databases including California Prop 65, the EPA, the IARC, and ECHA — the same databases Rabbithole uses to score products.

Cleaning Products

Phthalates — found in fragranced cleaning products, air fresheners, and dish soap. Phthalates are endocrine disruptors linked to reproductive harm, asthma, and developmental issues in children. They're rarely listed on labels because they fall under the umbrella term "fragrance." The simplest way to avoid them: choose fragrance-free products.

Quaternary ammonium compounds (quats) — the active ingredient in many "antibacterial" cleaners and disinfectant wipes. Quats are respiratory irritants and can trigger asthma. The EPA has raised concerns about antimicrobial resistance from overuse. For everyday cleaning, soap and water are just as effective.

Chlorine bleach (sodium hypochlorite) — effective as a disinfectant but produces toxic fumes, especially when mixed with ammonia or acids (a common accident). Chronic exposure is linked to respiratory damage. Hydrogen peroxide-based alternatives are safer for routine use.

2-Butoxyethanol — found in window cleaners, kitchen cleaners, and multipurpose sprays. It's a glycol ether that the EPA classifies as a possible carcinogen. It can cause liver and kidney damage at high concentrations. Not required to be listed on cleaning product labels.

Personal Care

Parabens (methylparaben, propylparaben, butylparaben) — preservatives found in shampoos, moisturizers, shaving cream, and cosmetics. Parabens mimic estrogen in the body and have been detected in breast tumor tissue. The EU has restricted certain parabens; the US has not. Look for "paraben-free" on labels, or scan with Rabbithole to check.

SLS / SLES (Sodium Lauryl Sulfate / Sodium Laureth Sulfate) — foaming agents in nearly every conventional shampoo, body wash, and toothpaste. SLS is a known skin irritant. SLES can be contaminated with 1,4-dioxane, a probable carcinogen, as a byproduct of the ethoxylation manufacturing process.

Synthetic fragrances — the term "fragrance" or "parfum" on a label can represent a blend of dozens of undisclosed chemicals, including phthalates, musks, and allergens. Fragrance formulations are protected as trade secrets, so manufacturers don't have to disclose individual components.

Formaldehyde and formaldehyde releasers — found in nail polish, hair straightening treatments, and some preservatives (DMDM hydantoin, imidazolidinyl urea). Formaldehyde is classified as a human carcinogen by the IARC. Check the ingredient database for common formaldehyde-releasing preservatives.

Cookware & Kitchen

PFAS / PTFE / Teflon — non-stick coatings on pans, air fryer baskets, baking sheets, and rice cooker pots. PTFE itself is stable at normal cooking temperatures, but begins to degrade above 500°F (260°C), releasing toxic fumes. The larger concern is PFAS contamination from the manufacturing process. Ceramic, cast iron, or stainless steel alternatives avoid the issue entirely.

BPA (Bisphenol A) — found in polycarbonate plastics, can linings, and thermal receipt paper. BPA is an endocrine disruptor linked to reproductive issues, heart disease, and type 2 diabetes. "BPA-free" products may contain BPS or BPF, which have similar biological activity. Glass, stainless steel, or #5 PP plastic are safer options.

Lead and cadmium — still found in some imported ceramics, pottery glazes, and certain vintage cookware. Both are cumulative toxins — they build up in your body over time. California Prop 65 requires warning labels, but not all states do. If you're unsure about a piece of cookware, scan it or check our product database.

Baby Products

Talc — used in baby powders and some cosmetics. Talc mines can be contaminated with asbestos, and the IARC classifies talc containing asbestos as carcinogenic to humans. Several manufacturers have reformulated with cornstarch instead. Check before you buy.

Mineral oil — a petroleum derivative found in baby oils, lotions, and diaper creams. While pharmaceutical-grade mineral oil is considered safe, lower grades can contain polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), which are carcinogenic. Plant-based alternatives (coconut oil, shea butter) are widely available.

Flame retardants — historically added to baby mattresses, car seats, nursing pillows, and children's clothing. Many flame retardants are persistent organic pollutants linked to developmental delays and cancer. Regulations have improved, but older products may still contain them.

How to Protect Your Home

Reading every ingredient label in your home would take days. A faster approach: use Rabbithole's scanner to check products one at a time as you use them. Start with the products you use most — your daily shampoo, your go-to kitchen cleaner, your child's lotion — and swap in safer alternatives where the score flags concerns.

You can also browse the full ingredient database to look up specific chemicals you're curious about.