Growing up in the 1970s meant living in a time of fascinating inventions and products that made life easier—or so people thought. Many households contained everyday items that promised convenience, fun, and modern living, sitting proudly on shelves and in cupboards. Parents bought them, kids played with them, and families used them without a second thought about potential dangers.
Looking back at these products now reveals a shocking truth about what was once considered perfectly safe. Here are some items that lined store shelves during the disco era containing materials and chemicals that scientists and researchers later discovered could cause serious harm.
Asbestos-Filled Hair Dryers
These popular beauty tools contain asbestos as insulation to protect against heat. The hair dryers would release tiny asbestos fibers into the air, which users would directly inhale while drying their hair. Scientists later discovered these microscopic fibers could cause lung cancer and other severe respiratory diseases. The FDA eventually ordered a recall of these products in 1979 after finding that over 13 different brands contained dangerous levels of asbestos.
Aluminum Cooking Pots with Cadmium
Some aluminum cookware was made with cadmium-containing solder or coatings. This toxic metal could leach into food, especially when cooking acidic ingredients like tomatoes. Regular use of these pots exposed entire families to cadmium at every meal. The metal would accumulate in the body over time, potentially causing kidney damage and bone problems.
Formaldehyde-Treated Furniture
New furniture was often treated with formaldehyde to prevent mold and improve durability. This chemical would slowly be released into the air, creating a toxic environment in homes. People experience headaches, breathing problems, and skin irritation from these fumes. The health effects were worse in mobile homes and small apartments where furniture was packed into tight spaces.
Lead Paint
Paint companies marketed their products as durable and long-lasting for home interiors and children’s toys. The paint’s sweet taste often leads children to eat paint chips, causing severe lead poisoning and developmental issues. Parents would regularly paint nurseries and playrooms without knowing the devastating effects lead exposure could have on growing minds. The government finally banned lead paint in 1978, but many older homes still contain these dangerous layers beneath newer paint.
Vintage Crock Pots
Early slow cookers often contained dangerous levels of lead in their glazing and heating elements. The lead would leach into food during the long cooking process, especially with acidic ingredients like tomatoes. Regular use exposed families to chronic lead poisoning through their daily meals. Testing later revealed that many units released lead at levels hundreds of times higher than modern safety standards.
Mercury Thermometers
These common household medical devices contained liquid mercury that could easily spill if dropped or broken. Parents would often clean up mercury spills without proper protection, exposing entire families to toxic vapors. The mercury could seep into floorboards and carpets, continuing to release dangerous fumes for years. One broken thermometer could contaminate an entire room, requiring professional hazardous material cleanup.
Toxic Artificial Christmas Trees
Early artificial Christmas trees were made with PVC-containing lead stabilizers. The fake needles would deteriorate over time, creating lead dust that would settle on present and nearby surfaces. Families would reuse these trees for many years, unaware they were spreading toxic dust in their homes each holiday season. The problem was worse when trees were stored in warm attics, causing faster breakdown of materials.
Toxic Bubble Bath
The old formula of these popular bubble baths contains harsh chemicals that could cause urinary tract infections and skin irritation. These products often used artificial fragrances that were actually toxic chemicals in disguise. Children sitting in hot bath water would absorb these chemicals through their skin. The longer the bath, the greater the exposure to these harmful ingredients.
Benzene-Based Cleaning Products
Household cleaners frequently contained benzene as a primary ingredient for its degreasing properties. People would use these products in poorly ventilated spaces like bathrooms and small kitchens. Extended exposure to benzene fumes could cause bone marrow damage and increase cancer risk. Many users developed chronic health issues from regular exposure to these cleaning products.
Lawn Darts
The oversized darts with metal tips were marketed as a fun outdoor game for families. Players would toss these weighted missiles toward plastic rings on the ground, scoring points for accuracy. After numerous serious injuries and several deaths, particularly involving children being struck in the head, the Consumer Product Safety Commission banned their sale in 1988. The metal tips could pierce skulls with the force of a .37 caliber bullet.
Vintage Hair Straightening Combs
These metal combs would be heated directly on stove burners before being used on hair. The unregulated temperature could cause severe scalp burns and permanent hair damage. Many users suffered third-degree burns when the overheated combs touched their skin. The metal would often deteriorate over time, leaving dangerous fragments in users’ hair and on their scalps.
Toxic Art Supplies
School art supplies often contained toxic chemicals, including asbestos in modeling clay and lead in colored chalks. Children would handle these materials daily, getting them on their hands and sometimes in their mouths. Art rooms rarely had proper ventilation to handle chemical fumes from these products. Many young artists developed sensitivities and health issues from prolonged exposure to these creative materials.
Microwave Cookware with BPA
Plastic containers marketed specifically for microwave cooking contained high levels of BPA (Bisphenol A). These containers release BPA into food when heated, especially when fatty or acidic dishes are used. Regular exposure to this chemical disrupts hormone systems and causes reproductive problems. Families often reused these containers for years, increasing their exposure to the harmful chemicals.
Flammable Halloween Costumes
Halloween costumes of the era were made from highly flammable materials like acetate and nylon. These synthetic fabrics could catch fire instantly if they touched a jack-o’-lantern candle or other flame. The burning material would melt and stick to the skin, causing severe burns. Many children suffered serious injuries before strict flammability standards were put in place.
Baby Powder with Talc
Johnson & Johnson’s baby powder was a bathroom staple, used daily on babies and adults alike for its moisture-absorbing properties. The talc used in this powder often came from mines containing natural asbestos deposits. Regular use of this contaminated powder, especially in the genital area, has been linked to various forms of cancer. Modern baby powders use safer alternatives like cornstarch instead of talc.
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