9 Potentially Cancerous Products

Canned Foods Safety concerns have come to light about the use of Bisphenol A (BPA) in canned foods. The chemical, which is used to create hard, clear plastic, has been linked with harmful effects on the prostate gland of fetuses, infants, and young children. Many states have banned the use of BPA in baby bottles and sippy cups, but most people remain unaware that BPA is also used in the lining of cans, with the highest levels found in canned soup and green beans.

Bottled Water One of the most shocking findings that the presidents panel highlighted was made by the Environmental Working Group on bottled water. The group studied 10 bottled water brands, and found that many were no better than tap water. In fact, some were worse. On average, the 10 brands of bottled water contained 8 contaminates. Some of the most notable contaminants included arsenic and ammonia.

Nail Polish

Nail polish -- like gasoline and paint thinner -- contains a chemical known as toluene. In addition to causing nausea, dizziness, and eye and nose irritation, some scientist suspect that toluene may be linked with cancer when used in concentrated doses. The report made by the presidents panel only went as far as to say that toluene is suspected of causing cancer of the brain, central nervous system, lung, colon, and rectum, but many nail polish manufacturers have removed it from their products.

Shampoo and Cleaning Agents

Another study highlighted by the presidents panel has found that certain shampoos and cleaning agents are linked to possible cancer causing substances called nitrosamines. On their own the ingredients that make up these shampoos and cleaning agents are harmless. It is only after they make their way to wastewater plants that they become harmful. At these plants they are mixed with chloramines, a chemical used to disinfect water. This combination creates cancer-causing nitrosamines in water.

Home Carpeting

Many families that were displaced by hurricane Katrina were relocated to government provided trailers. Some of those trailers were contaminated by formaldehyde, a chemical known to cause cancers of the nasal cavity and nasopharynx. Since then hundreds of families have complained of the symptoms linked with exposure to formaldehyde.

The presidential report found that residents in homes with newly installed plywood, particle board, or carpeting are especially susceptible to the effects of the formaldehyde contained within them. The report recommends ventilation as the best way to avoid over exposure.

Hair Dye Anyone who has ever dyed her hair can tell you that the process involves lots of chemicals. In fact, hair dye contains about 5,000 chemicals. A large number of studies have tried to determine the dangers of hair dye. One overview of research has found that hair dye has a borderline effect on brain tumors and ovarian cancer, but no effect on breast and bladder cancer. The varying findings led the presidents report authors to say that the connection between hair dye and cancer is inconclusive.

Fruits and Vegetables None of us savor the thought of biting into an insect-ravaged fruit or vegetable, but at what cost to our health? Pesticides and herbicides have long been thought of as dangerous. Some studies have found that people with high exposure to pesticides and herbicides, like farmers and crop dusters, have a greater risk of contracting cancers of the lip, stomach, lung, brain, skin, and prostate.To avoid health problems, it is important to know which foods contain pesticides and herbicides and, if possible, to buy organic.