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The best way to prevent cancer is to lead a healthy lifestyle characterized by plenty of exercise and a healthy diet.
Unfortunately, in today’s over-chemized times that may not be enough. Carcinogens literally lurk everywhere. You should therefore focus on the places where you spend the most time during the day.
Although it may not seem so, the place where each of us clearly spends the most time is our bedroom. We spend at least 7 to 8 hours there daily, or even more if we use it for activities other than sleep.
Carcinogenic substances tend to hide mainly in furniture, floors, textiles, or other places you probably haven’t even thought of.
Let’s now look at the 10 things in your bedroom you should be most careful about.
1. Synthetic fabrics
Synthetic fabrics are produced using various toxic gases and coal.
During their production, harmful and carcinogenic substances such as PFCs are also used, which solidify when reacting with air and are used to create artificial fibers.
Therefore replace all synthetic-fiber textiles in your bedroom with natural ones such as cotton, linen, wool, hemp textiles, and the like.
2. Synthetic pillows and duvets
Like textiles, most duvets and pillows today are also made from synthetic materials.
Although not directly visible, carcinogenic substances can be released from them during sleep, and you then breathe them in or absorb them through your skin.
Therefore replace all duvets and pillows made from synthetic materials with natural ones.
3. Particleboard furniture
Furniture made from particleboard is particularly dangerous to your health. Various chemical glues are used in its production, as well as carcinogens such as formaldehyde, which causes several types of cancers.
It’s not 4 years, as you might at first think, because a 25% decrease is not absolute but relative – always compared to the previous year.
4. Faux leather furniture
By faux leather furniture we mean mainly chairs, armchairs, sofas, upholstered headboards, waterproof cushions and other items that contain so-called artificial leather – leatherette.
Faux leather is made from plastics that are powerful endocrine disruptors and can cause significant damage to the body.
In addition, this type of furniture is often sprayed with formaldehyde and ammonia – known carcinogenic substances.
5. Carpets
Carpets in your bedroom are made from dangerous synthetic materials that can seriously endanger your health. These mainly include bromides and other flame retardants.
It’s best if you get rid of them as soon as possible. If you don’t want to throw them away completely, at least don’t keep them directly in the bedroom, but move them to other rooms.
6. Paints with volatile organic compounds
Next time you paint your house or apartment, make sure you use paints that do not contain volatile organic compounds.
Many common paints still contain these chemicals. After painting a wall, these substances are released and damage your respiratory system.
Some paints additionally produce ozone, which is associated with an increased risk of asthma, headaches and respiratory problems.
7. Electrical devices
You should not have any electrical devices in the bedroom such as televisions, computers, mobile phones, electric alarm clocks (those that plug in), Wi‑Fi routers or other electronic devices.
The best thing is to remove them from the bedroom completely.
If that’s not possible, at least unplug them completely at night. Switching them off is not enough, because even then they still produce electromagnetic fields; pull them straight out of the socket.
8. Mattresses
Mattresses, like pillows and duvets, are today made from a variety of synthetic materials such as foams, rubbers, plastics, synthetic fibers and flame retardants.
To avoid the risk of cancer, get mattresses made from natural materials.
If that’s not possible, try to cover them sufficiently with sheets and bedding made from natural materials.
9. Get an air purifier
Air purifiers with HEPA filters are now relatively affordable. Their great advantage is that they keep the air in your home clean and free of toxins.
Buy one and ventilate your bedroom well a few hours before sleeping, then turn on the air purifier. During the night keep it (like other electrical appliances) switched off.
10. Sheers and curtains
Like other fabrics, sheers and especially curtains are often treated with chemicals.
Moreover, they trap a lot of dust and pollen, which is another problem, especially for the possible development of allergies and asthma.
The best option is to get rid of such synthetic curtains, or replace them with wooden ones that have been treated with eco-friendly products.
