It seems that harmful chemicals are everywhere. Industries have been fined for dumping them into the water supply. The dangers of pesticides used in farming have been widely publicized. And improper disposal of certain materials has caused hazards in landfills. But did you know that most of us can find multiple dangerous chemicals right in our own homes?

We’ve all heard about the precautions we should take to keep young children from ingesting household cleaners and other chemical compounds. But swallowing them isn’t the only way that we can experience adverse effects. Simply coming into contact with certain chemicals can pose a danger. While one isolated exposure is unlikely to cause harm, many exposures over the course of years or decades can cause health problems.

Here are some of the chemicals that we are often exposed to and where they are found:

* Acetone – This is found in many brands of nail polish remover. Inhalation can irritate the nose, throat and lungs, and cause headaches, increased pulse rate, and in severe cases, a coma. Long-term effects may include kidney, liver and nerve damage and metabolic changes.  Read more...