10 Deadly Substances You May Not Realize Are Hiding In Your Home

Massive amounts of these chemicals are found in household dust, according to Silent Spring Institute, and commonly live on furniture — along with carpet flooring and various electronics. Flame retardants can increase the chances of a wide range of issues, from infertility to thyroid problems and learning disabilities.

To minimize these side effects, be selective when you're choosing your carpets, bedding, and furniture pieces, making sure they're made from naturally flame-resistant materials.

This is another chemical commonly found in dust samples, but it exists in other parts of home life — plastic food containers and bottles being most common, according to The Huffington Post. However, the presence of phthalates goes well beyond this, and has been found on beauty and hair products, vinyl flooring, and plastic items in general.

It may sound like this chemical is impossible to destroy because of its quantity, and in reality, it actually is. But ways to avoid it as much as possible are to steer clear of plastics when possible, know what is in your fragrances, and by eating organic. (Yes, it can be found on food, too.)

If you've got an old home built sometime between the early 1940s and the 1970s, you better pay attention: Your house might contain heavy amounts of asbestos, according to This Old House. During this time, inexpensive materials that ended up being toxic were used for constructing houses, which increase chances of damaging lung tissue and causing cancer.

It's important to look into treatments immediately. There are many different methods available that can either seal or cover asbestos, and also larger processes that can remove it entirely.

This chemical has become fairly well-known over the years, especially when it comes to purchasing safe water bottles and tupperware, according to WebMD. Bisphenol A, also known as BPA, can increase the risk of several issues — male infertility, diabetes, and heart disease, to name a few.

The simplest way to avoid BPA is to look for "BPA-Free" on plastic water bottles and containers. Now that so many people are aware of this hazardous chemical, many companies have adapted to the concern and now make safe products instead.

This dangerous compound is airborne and is especially found in kitchens, basements, and laundry rooms. Ingredients that leak from cleaning bottles become a gas in room temperature, which is exactly why those specific rooms are more prone to the chemical, according to Rodale. This can cause severe asthma and increase the risk of lung cancer.

Simply be cautious when it comes to buying cleaning products, looking out for certain ingredients that are listed on the government's Household Products Database.

Perchloroethylene, also known as perc (which is much easier to pronounce), is a colorless liquid that falls under the volatile-compound umbrella, but is very specific to degreasing metals and dry cleaning products, according to Tox Town. This chemical has been linked to kidney, liver, and central nervous system damage.

Beware to those who love to cook and bake: the chemical perfluoroalkyl acid is often found on nonstick pans, baking sheets, and stain-resistant products at large. The acid has been linked to cases of ADHD, high cholesterol, and thyroid disease.

But food lovers shouldn't worry too much — there are ways around this. When you go for your next pan purchase, be sure to choose safer cookware made with glass, stainless steel, or cast iron, according to Rodale.

This may be a gas as well, but it's definitely not odorless — you know when ammonia has accidentally been leaked in the room, according to wiseGEEK. Many heavy-duty products are used to clean grime or fertilize plants, and can cause your skin to burn and damage your respiratory system permanently.

The good news is that you can detect when this chemical is in the room, so it gives you a warning versus many of the other chemicals listed above. Make sure to discard any materials or products that caused the leakage.

As many of you already know, herbicides are fairly common when it comes to genetically modified food. This is sprayed in order to preserve the artificial goods, but consuming this chemical can have harmful side effects, from minor issues such as rashes and nausea, to major issues like seizures or even an increased risk of getting cancer, according to Livestrong.com.

You can always buy all-natural, organic foods, or at least stay aware of what your foods contain.

This hazard can be found in drinking water, due to old pipes, new brass, and chrome faucet filters, according to Prevention. Not only can lead commonly interfere with hormone stress levels, it can also lead to bigger issues, like gastrointestinal problems and kidney disease.

In order to prevent this from happening, make sure to buy the proper filters for your water system, and also avoid using other products that commonly have lead, such as paint.

Did we leave out any important chemicals you know have existed in your home before? Let us know in the comments, and be sure to SHARE this information with your family and friends on Facebook!