Scarcely a day goes by in which we don't receive a dire warning about the latest poison or toxin infiltrating our homes in the guise of a harmless household product. Some of these warnings are real, but too many of them are full of misinformation and amount to little more than hysteria masquerading as fact.

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The artificial sweetener aspartame has been proved responsible for an epidemic of cancer, brain tumors, and multiple sclerosis. Reusing, freezing, or heating plastic water bottles will cause them to break down into carcinogenic compounds or release dioxins. Anti-perspirants have been identified as the leading cause of breast cancer. Ordinary use of Canola oil is dangerous to consumers. An EPA study proposed paying families to allow their children to be exposed to pesticides. Disposable chopsticks are loaded with carcinogens. Harmful levels of asbestos have been found in several brands of children's crayons. Adolescents have died huffing from cans of Dust-Off brand compressed air. Dawn brand dishwashing liquid is significantly more caustic than other brands and erodes the corneas of children's eyes. A mixture of Enfalac baby formula and dog food caused a toddler's stomach to explode. Inhaling from the wrong end of a filtered cigarette will lead to genital disfunction. Several major brands of lipstick contain dangerous levels of lead. Some children's vinyl lunch boxes contain unsafe levels of lead. Microwaving foods in plastic containers releases cancer-causing agents into the foods. E-mailed accounts warn of death and disease caused by rat urine on soda cans. A 2-year-old boy died a horrible death after ingesting Resolve brand carpet cleaner. Drug traffickers are hiding small amounts of ricin in methamphetamine labs to kill law enforcement officers. Pot scrubbing sponges manufactured by Procter & Gamble contain a dangerous derivative of Agent Orange. Vitamin C users who eat shrimp risk death from arsenic poisoning. Soy food products are linked to thyroid cancer. Tampax Pearl brand tampons have been linked to an outbreak of toxic shock syndrome. Tampon manufacturers use asbestos in their products to promote bleeding. A single dose of Children's Motrin can cause ulcers and gastrointestinal bleeding in children. Old pancake and other baking mixes are dangerous. Mr. Clean Magic Eraser contains formaldehyde. Ingestion of hand sanitizer by children can result in alcohol poisoning. Sidewalk chalk has been known to contain lead. When broken, energy-saving light bulbs (CFLs) loose dangerous amounts of mercury into a home. Use of a laptop computer can reduce a man's sperm count. The artificial butter flavoring used in microwave popcorn poses a danger of lung damage to ordinary consumers. Wal-Mart halted sales of Chinese-made flip-flops after some purchasers reported suffering skin rashes or chemical burns. Candy canes contain titanium dioxide, a cancer-causing chemical. A study found dangerous microbial growth on 70% of lemon slices served with beverages in restaurants. Some Chinese-made hair bands were fashioned from recycled condoms. Some granite countertops emit radon. Automobile dashboards emit cancer-causing benzene fumes. Patients should request the use of thyroid guards during x-ray procedures. Tide Free & Gentle brand detergent contains 1,4-dioxane, a known carcinogen. Soup cans are lined with dangerous levels of BPA.

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