Formaldehyde (from glues in particleboard)
Flame retardants
Styrene & benzene (from carpet backing)
🧠 Health Impact:
“New smell” = off-gassing VOCs; can cause eye/nose/throat irritation and long-term exposure risks.
✅ Use Safely:
Air out new furniture in a garage or sunroom for 1–2 weeks before bringing inside
Choose low-VOC or FSC-certified wood products
Look for Greenguard Gold or Oeko-Tex certified fabrics
🌿 Better Alternatives:
Solid wood furniture
Natural fiber rugs (wool, cotton, jute)
Washable cotton or linen curtains
5. Nonstick Cookware (When Overheated)
❌ What It Releases:
Toxic fumes when heated above 500°F (260°C) — including PFOA/PFAS “forever chemicals”
🧠 Health Impact:
Can cause “polymer fume fever” — flu-like symptoms in humans and fatal to birds.
✅ Use Safely:
Never preheat an empty pan
Cook on low-medium heat
Replace scratched or peeling pans immediately
🌿 Better Alternatives:
Cast iron
Stainless steel
Ceramic-coated pans (check for PTFE-free)
6. Humidifiers (If Not Cleaned)
❌ What They Release:
Mold spores, bacteria, white dust (if using tap water in ultrasonic models)
🧠 Health Impact:
“Dirty humidifier lung” — a real condition causing cough, wheezing, and hypersensitivity pneumonitis.
✅ Use Safely:
