5 Household Products Doctors Skip to Reduce Cancer Exposure

People are exposed to a wide mix of chemicals every day. Some may carry genuine health concerns, while others may be less alarming than they seem. To help separate fact from fear, doctors explained the household items they personally avoid because of possible cancer-related risks.

1. Strong Disinfectants and Scented Cleaners

Jay Luthar, MD, founder and medical director at Lutanen Health and an instructor at Harvard Medical School, said he stays away from harsh, strongly fragranced cleaners, even though they can be effective.

A 2024 review found that cleaning and disinfecting products can raise exposure to a variety of indoor pollutants, including compounds such as chloroform, which is a known carcinogen.

Luthar said he limits “disinfectant sprays, heavily fragranced cleaners, and products like plug-in air fresheners that continuously release chemicals into indoor air.”

For routine cleaning, he prefers basic fragrance-free options such as vinegar, baking soda, and soap, and saves disinfectants for times when they are truly needed. “For odors, I prefer addressing the source, improving ventilation, or using appropriate filtration rather than masking the odor with fragrance,” he added.

2. Plastic Food Storage Containers

When it comes to storing food, Luthar avoids plastic containers, especially if reheating is involved. Research has shown that certain chemicals used in plastics and food packaging, including phthalates and bisphenols, can migrate into food, and that heat can increase the amount of exposure.

Phthalates and bisphenols are considered endocrine disruptors, meaning they may interfere with the body’s hormone system and raise concerns about cancer risk.

“In 2026, the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) classified three phthalates as possibly carcinogenic to humans, based largely on animal and mechanistic evidence,” Luthar said, while noting that more human research is needed to understand the full cancer risk.

“For me, this is a precautionary choice because food storage and reheating are repeated exposures, and there is an easy alternative,” Luthar told HEALTH. “I prefer glass containers for storing and reheating food and stainless steel for storage when reheating isn’t necessary.”

3. Gas Stoves Without Good Ventilation

Many homes in the United States have gas stoves, but Daryl Eber, MD, co-founder, medical director, and lead radiologist at 3T Radiology & Research, said he would never use one without proper ventilation.

“Gas-burning stoves on high or ovens at just 350 degrees Fahrenheit raise benzene levels indoors, a carcinogen linked to leukemia, and those levels go beyond what’s found in secondhand smoke,” he told HEALTH. “It can drift into other rooms and hang there for hours.”

To improve air flow, he recommends using the exhaust hood and opening a few windows whenever a gas stove or oven is in use. If buying a new stove, Eber suggested choosing an induction cooktop, which heats pans directly with an electromagnetic field instead of producing air pollution from gas combustion.

4. Composite Wood Furniture

Eber also avoids furniture and cabinetry made from composite wood, including particleboard, plywood, and medium-density fiberboard.

These materials use adhesives that can release formaldehyde, a gas associated with several cancers, including nasopharyngeal cancer and leukemia. Exposure can be higher in warm, humid conditions and when the products are newly purchased, Eber noted.

“Choose solid wood whenever possible, or look for products that specify that there’s no added formaldehyde,” he advised.

5. Stain- and Water-Resistant Products

Luthar also avoids stain- and water-resistant items, including furniture and rugs. These products may contain per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), long-lasting chemicals used to repel water, oil, and stains, often referred to as “forever chemicals.”

Some chemicals in the PFAS family have been linked to cancer. The IARC has classified perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) as carcinogenic to humans and perfluorooctanesulfonic acid (PFOS) as possibly carcinogenic to humans.

“This classification identifies a cancer hazard, but it does not tell us the cancer risk associated with owning a particular treated couch or rug,” Luthar clarified.

Even so, he chooses products without stain- or water-resistant coatings and often buys items made from natural fabrics such as cotton, wool, linen, or silk.