I’m a longevity doctor — 4 things to ban from your home now

Is your house a hidden health hazard? 

A longevity doctor wants you to remove four common items from your home immediately, warning that they could be quietly sabotaging your body from the inside out.

“If you care about your hormones, your sleep, your long-term health, these things matter more than you think,” Dr. Shayne Keddy of Valor Wellness said on TikTok.

#1. Microwave popcorn bags 

“This one surprises a lot of people because it feels like a better choice than chips, but those bags are actually lined with a chemical called PFAS,” Keddy said.

Also known as “forever chemicals,” PFAS don’t break down naturally and can stick around in the environment for hundreds, even thousands, of years.

When your popcorn bag heats up, Keddy said, the chemicals leach into your snack and inevitably end up in your body.

In one study, researchers found that people who ate microwave popcorn every day for a year had PFAS levels up to 63% higher than average.

Scientists are still studying the long-term effects, but these compounds have been linked to a wide range of health problems, including high cholesterol, a weakened immune system, hormone imbalances, certain cancers, infertility and developmental delays in children.

“Instead, you should use an air popper or like your grandma used to just make popcorn on the stove with coconut oil and some sea salt,” Keddy advised.

#2. Scented candles 

“Most people think they’re harmless,” Keddy said. “However, when you burn them, they release chemicals like benzene, formaldehyde — things we know are toxic when inhaled over time.”

Benzene is a known carcinogen, linked to leukemia and other blood cancers. When inhaled, it can also irritate your respiratory system.

Formaldehyde isn’t much better. Exposure to high levels can irritate the skin, eyes, nose and throat, and may even raise the risk of certain cancers.

Studies show that burning scented candles contributes to poor indoor air quality, increasing your exposure to these chemicals. Some research even suggests that candles may emit toxins when unlit.

While scientists are still debating whether these low-level exposures are dangerous enough to avoid candles completely, Keddy says it’s better to play it safe and ditch them altogether.

#3. Air fresheners

“Plug-ins, spray cans, car fresheners — these things pump out a cocktail of synthetic chemicals, some of which are actually banned in other countries,” Keddy said.

That includes Lilial, a fragrance chemical banned in the EU for reproductive toxicity but still widely used in the US.

Another culprit, HICC, is prohibited in Europe because it can trigger skin allergies, yet you’ll still find it in some US air fresheners and cleaning products.

Even tiny amounts of these chemicals have been linked to migraines, asthma attacks, breathing problems, skin irritation and neurological issues — but companies aren’t required to disclose all the ingredients in air fresheners, leaving your home smelling fresh while the air may be loaded with harmful chemicals.

#4. Light bulbs at night 

This one isn’t about toxins — it’s about your body clock. Your circadian rhythm, the 24-hour cycle that regulates sleep-wake patterns, hormone release and body temperature, can be disrupted by something as simple as a lamp.

Cool-toned LEDs tell your brain it’s daytime, Keddy said, which suppresses melatonin.

In one study, researchers exposed participants to 6.5 hours of blue light versus green light of the same brightness. Blue light suppressed melatonin for twice as long and shifted circadian rhythms twice as much.

And it’s not just about feeling groggy. Chronic exposure to blue light is being studied for potential links to health issues like type 2 diabetes, heart problems, obesity and certain cancers. The doc advises using warm tone bulbs at night instead.