Category: Household hazards

According to the ASPCA, snake plants (Dracaena trifasciata) contain toxic compounds called saponins, making them harmful if ingested by humans or animals. Therefore, any information on how to consume snake plants is extremely misleading and dangerous, as this popular houseplant should never be eaten.

While sensational tales of "toxic potato gas" are often exaggerated, rotting potatoes can release dangerous levels of carbon dioxide, posing a real asphyxiation risk in confined, unventilated spaces. Understanding this hazard, and how improper storage leads to toxic solanine in green potatoes, is vital for safety.

A single seed from the tung oil tree (*Aleurites fordii*) can be fatal if ingested, according to the University of Florida's Plant Directory, so the fruit of the tung oil tree is not edible. This highly poisonous, invasive species from China presents a significant health risk to people and animals.

According to scientific case studies, ingesting large amounts of calcium chloride can cause severe internal burns and, rarely, gastric necrosis. This versatile chemical, found in de-icers and food products, poses several health risks that depend heavily on the exposure type and concentration.

According to the National Poison Data System, exposures to lamp oil products continue to occur among the pediatric population worldwide, with ingestion being the most common route. So, can we eat lamp oil? The answer is a definitive and unequivocal no, as swallowing even a small amount can trigger severe and potentially fatal health complications.

While copper is a vital trace mineral for human health, certain compounds like copper carbonate are highly toxic and not intended for consumption. As an industrial chemical and pigment, the answer to 'is copper carbonate food safe?' is a definitive no, and ingestion can lead to serious health problems.

According to the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR), ingestion of concentrated sodium hypochlorite can result in severe corrosive injuries to the mouth, throat, esophagus, and stomach. This fact makes it abundantly clear that sodium hypochlorite is not edible under any circumstances.