Harvard and Stanford-studied Dr. Saurabh Sethi, a renowned gastroenterologist, has sparked an important conversation about daily household things that can cause hidden health risks, most of which can be fatal.

According to Dr. Sethi, many items in our houses are used without giving thought to the fact that they are detrimental to health and overall well-being. While we enjoy buying household products that help make our space look cleaner and organized and make things more convenient, some of these everyday items lurking in our cabinets and closets could be dangerous.

Three of these that Dr. Sethi recommended on Instagram that you must throw away are:

It is common to burn candles for decorations, in ceremonies, and to release relaxing fragrances. Most of these candles are made from paraffin wax, which is loaded with phthalates.

According to Dr. Sethi, chronic exposure to phthalates adversely influences your endocrine system and the functioning of multiple organs, causing a long-term impact on the success of pregnancy, child growth and development, and reproductive systems in both young children and adolescents.

Phthalates are not a single chemical, and three of them—BBP, DBP, and DEHP—are permanently banned from toys and products intended to help children under three years of age sleep, eat, teethe, or suck. DBP and DEHP damage the reproductive systems of lab rats, especially males. Tests on people show DBP can irritate skin as well. “Choose unscented natural candles made from soy or beeswax instead,” suggested Dr. Sethi.

Plastic cutting boards are common in kitchens across the world, as they are convenient and cheaper. However, Dr. Sethi suggests throwing them as soon as possible. Studies say every time you use a knife on a plastic board, small plastic particles may be scraped off the surface, especially when the board gets worn down over time. These tiny fragments, called microplastics, are not visible to the naked eye but can easily mix with your food, posing potential health risks.

“Switch to a wooden or glass one to minimize the risk,” he said.

Scratched or chipped non-stick pans have damaged coatings that release small particles of the non-stick material, potentially exposing you to chemicals like PFAS or per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, which have been linked to serious health concerns.

According to various studies, a single scratch on a nonstick pan can release millions of toxic microplastic particles into your food. “They can release harmful PFAs linked to reproductive health issues. Replace damaged pans with safer alternatives like stainless steel or cast iron,” he said.

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