4 Best-Selling Items on E-Commerce Platforms Exposed to Contain Carcinogens — Yet Many Families Still Use Them Daily

Everyday household products, which seem familiar and safe, can actually hide serious health risks. Many people are lured by low prices, thinking they’ve struck a bargain, but in reality, they may be putting their family’s health at risk.

Recently, China’s CCTV issued a warning about four common household items that carry an alarming risk of cancer. What’s worse, these products are still silently present in many homes.

1. Cheap Toilet Paper
Many believe toilet paper is hygienic, but in fact, some types are dirtier than cleaning rags. A survey by CCTV found that among 150 batches of household paper products, 24% failed to meet safety standards. Some samples even contained carcinogenic substances.
Why? To maximize profit, many manufacturers use recycled waste materials, then add bleach and fluorescent brighteners to make the paper look whiter. Prolonged exposure to these chemicals can trigger allergies, damage the respiratory system, and increase the risk of lung and colorectal cancer.

2. Cheap Thermos Bottles
Thermos bottles are essential for many, but not all are safe. Cheap versions are often made from substandard stainless steel, especially those marked “201” at the bottom — not suitable for food use. Over time, heavy metals can leach into drinks, causing neurological poisoning and raising cancer risk.
Moreover, using these bottles to steep tea or herbal medicines can be dangerous. The compounds in tea and herbs may react with the metals, producing harmful toxins.

3. Cheap Latex Pillows
In recent years, latex pillows have been marketed as “100% natural and health-friendly.” But many cheap versions are mixed with industrial chemicals, sometimes containing benzene or generating nitrosamines, both proven carcinogens.
Users have reported fine powder shedding from pillows after some time — a sign of chemical breakdown. What you think is “supporting your sleep” may actually be exposing you to toxins every night.

4. Cheap Clothing
Clothing is indispensable, yet some cheap garments are made with azo dyes and formaldehyde — highly toxic chemicals that can cause skin allergies, respiratory damage, and cancer.
One fashion brand was even caught selling items with aromatic amines (from azo dyes) exceeding safe limits by 20 times. Formaldehyde, meanwhile, is often used to make fabrics “soft and wrinkle-resistant” — but long-term exposure is harmful to the lungs and classified by WHO as a Group 1 carcinogen.

Expert Advice:
Consumers should buy only from supermarkets, trusted stores, or official brands. Always check product labels, ingredients, production dates, and safety standards.

Remember: “A little more money buys peace of mind.” Saving a few dollars on toilet paper, thermos bottles, or pillows could end up costing far more in medical bills — a price too high to pay.