A US-based solicitor who specialises in personal injury, Tommy, has turned to TikTok to share the everyday items he steers clear of. Boasting over 279,000 followers, Tommy is renowned for handling harrowing personal injury and wrongful death lawsuits in the States, akin to the role of a personal injury solicitor here in the UK.
Known for managing cases ranging from tragic fatalities to severe brain and spinal injuries, he works meticulously with everyone involved—from the police and insurance representatives to medical professionals and liable parties—to secure his clients the compensation they’re entitled to.
In a viral TikTok clip that has grabbed the attention of his many followers, Tommy discloses: “These are the three household items I would never use or buy under any circumstances and I’m going to explain in scientific detail why. Number one is any type of plug-in air freshener.”
Unpacking his first point, the injury guru claimed: “These things often contain volatile organic compounds such as formaldehyde, benzene, toluene, which have been linked to different types of cancer and they’ve also been linked to migraines, neurological problems and asthma.”
The list, made by Tommy, revealed some household items that could be potentially hazardous. Surprisingly at number two is antibacterial cleaners, about which Tommy claimed: “Believe it or not, these actually contain pesticides. These sprays that are sold to clean your homes and I don’t want pesticides in my house.”
He emphasised the dangers, citing that being exposed to pesticides might lead to serious health problems, including cancer.
Tommy wasn’t entirely sure if the third item, mothballs, was still widely used but felt strongly against them, claiming: “Mothballs actually contain a toxin called naphthalene. When it mixes with the air it releases a gas, which is actually the smell of mothballs and that is a suspected cancer causer.”
He also said mothballs could cause breathing difficulties, headaches, dizziness, nausea, and even hemolytic anaemia – a condition where red blood cells break down.
The informative video sparked concern among viewers, as evidenced by comments of shock on the platform. One viewer confessed an alarming personal anecdote: “Not me eating a mothball under my parents bed when I was 4.”
One user raised concerns about the law surrounding certain products, saying: “If the plug in fragrances are known to contain toxins and carcinogens, why haven’t they been banned? It’s so crazy!”
Another user shared a concerning experience, stating: “I used to clean houses. You can’t use any heat conducting electrical plug in once you’ve used a plug in air freshener. They tend to leak into the outlet and can cause a fire inside the wall.”