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The Diary Of A CEO with Steven Bartlett

Most Replayed Moment: Are Your Household And Beauty Products Secretly Toxic? Dr Yvonne Burkart

with Dr Yvonne Burkart

Published October 17, 2025
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About This Episode

The conversation focuses on how everyday household, beauty, and personal care products can expose people to carcinogens and endocrine-disrupting chemicals, and how small, practical changes can significantly reduce that exposure. Dr Yvonne Burkart explains links between environmental chemicals and rising cancer incidence, especially breast cancer, and describes research showing that removing certain ingredients from products lowered breast cancer gene expression in just 28 days. She offers detailed guidance on identifying problematic ingredients like "fragrance" and phthalates in deodorants, candles, and incense, highlights children's particular vulnerability via contaminated household dust, and proposes safer alternatives such as essential-oil-based products and low-emission beeswax candles.

Topics Covered

Breast cancer risk assessment Pollution Women's health advocacy Parenting and child development Endocrine disruptors Household chemicals Fragrances Indoor air quality Personal care products Candles and incense

Disclaimer: We provide independent summaries of podcasts and are not affiliated with or endorsed in any way by any podcast or creator. All podcast names and content are the property of their respective owners. The views and opinions expressed within the podcasts belong solely to the original hosts and guests and do not reflect the views or positions of Summapod.

Quick Takeaways

  • Dr Yvonne Burkart emphasizes being a living example and making incremental product swaps rather than inducing fear or demanding people throw everything away at once.
  • She argues that environmental exposures, not just genes, play a major role in cancer risk, and that lifestyle and even ancestors' exposures can influence today's disease patterns.
  • A study in women without prior breast cancer showed that removing specific ingredients from beauty and personal care products for 28 days reduced breast cancer gene expression in their breast tissue.
  • The catch-all label "fragrance" or "parfum" can hide carcinogens, potent allergens, and endocrine disruptors like phthalates, and is a key red flag on product labels.
  • Aerosol deodorants pose multiple risks due to petroleum-derived propellants, benzene contamination, and inhalation of sprayed particles, making solid roll-ons or sticks with essential oils safer options.
  • Fragrances can bind to household dust and persist in indoor air, creating continuous exposure, which is especially harmful for babies and children close to the floor and constantly mouthing objects.
  • Conventional paraffin wax scented candles can emit carcinogens, ultrafine particles, volatile organic compounds, and undisclosed fragrance chemicals and dyes, while being largely unregulated.
  • Modern incense can generate even more ultrafine particles and pollutants than cigarette smoke, and has been associated with increased cancer risk, including in temple workers and children exposed at home.
  • Safer options include products scented with essential oils, avoiding aerosols and undisclosed fragrances, and choosing low-emission candles made from beeswax with essential oils and cotton or wooden wicks.

Podcast Notes

Guest's mindset and motivation around sharing information on environmental toxins

Host's concern about becoming alarmist when aware of toxins

Host imagines that deep knowledge of toxins would create a constant sense of urgency[0:18]
• He says he would likely be an "annoying person" at dinner parties and feel emergency about friends drinking from plastic or using certain products
Host asks if the guest feels compelled to warn people when she sees risky products being used[1:05]

Guest's emotional response and communication strategy

Guest says the topic has ignited a lot of passion to share information widely[0:53]
• She notes it affects every single person on the planet, which fuels her drive to spread awareness
She sometimes finds it challenging not to directly call people out about their product use[1:00]
• She admits wanting to say "be careful with that" but restrains herself
She believes being a living example is more effective than telling people what not to do[1:11]
• She focuses on showing what is possible by sharing her own journey and the benefits she has felt from detoxifying her environment
Her approach centers on simple, small incremental shifts[1:30]
• She frames the process as a marathon, not a race, discouraging people from throwing everything away at once or hiding under a rock
• She mentions she tried an extreme avoidance approach herself and it caused more stress, which she calls harmful
She aims to empower people with information and solutions rather than fear[1:47]
• She highlights education about solutions as a key part of her mission

Environmental toxins and rising cancer incidence, especially breast cancer

Host's question about cancer statistics linked to toxic environments

Host notes cancer as a downstream consequence of living in a toxic environment[1:55]
• He references previous discussion about declining sperm quality
He asks which cancer statistics are most clearly associated with toxic environments[2:10]
• He brings up breast cancer, saying he has read or heard that its incidence has risen over recent decades and that some African tribes do not see the same levels

Guest on changing patterns of cancer and age

She says cancer was historically a disease of aging[2:35]
• It was not common to see cancer in people in their 30s, 40s, or even 50s historically
She observes that the window of cancer incidence is shifting earlier[2:42]
• She confirms breast cancer incidence is on the rise
She shares a personal observation from her own life[3:44]
• She says she never knew anyone with breast cancer until her 30s, then suddenly knew five people, including two colleagues in a toxicology lab

Suspected root causes of rising cancer rates

She believes there is a huge environmental component to cancer[3:11]
• She contrasts older beliefs that cancer was largely genetic or about being "unlucky" with newer understanding of environmental influence
She states that environment plays a massive role in whether predispositions lead to actual cancer[3:32]
• She mentions that having a predisposition such as the BRCA gene does not guarantee one will get breast cancer
Lifestyle and ancestral exposures are key factors[3:44]
• She notes that how you live and how your ancestors lived-including grandmother and mother-can predispose you through multi-generational effects of chemicals

Evidence linking everyday chemicals to breast cancer risk

Question about studies on everyday chemicals and cancer

Host asks if there are studies showing the impact of everyday chemicals on cancer risk[4:06]

Guest describes a 28-day product removal study in women

Guest says there is now proof from studies, though she dislikes that people had to suffer to generate this data[4:19]
• She says she is angry that people suffer from preventable cancer
She outlines a specific study in women without a history of breast cancer[4:32]
• Women were asked to remove certain ingredients from their beauty and personal care products for 28 days
• Researchers took samples of breast tissue cells before the change and measured breast cancer gene expression
• After 28 days of removing those ingredients, another sample was taken and the breast cancer gene expression had dropped
The only lifestyle change in the study was removing specified product ingredients[5:07]
• This suggests a direct link between those product ingredients and gene expression related to breast cancer

Types of products and chemicals removed in the study

Products included common personal care items[4:32]
• She lists skincare, deodorant, and shampoo as examples of products most people use that were targeted
Key ingredients removed were phthalates often found in fragrances[5:25]
• She explains that the ingredient list term "fragrance" or "parfum" can hide a large number of chemicals
• By law in Europe and the U.S., manufacturers do not have to disclose fragrance components, as they are considered trade secrets
• Within these undisclosed mixtures are known carcinogens, endocrine disruptors like phthalates, and some of the most potent allergens known

Phthalates, fragrance, and deodorant safety

Why phthalates are used in fragrances

Guest explains that phthalates function as film formers[6:00]
• They help fragrance stick to surfaces like skin and clothing and make the scent last longer and linger
She offers a practical sign of phthalate presence[6:18]
• If you can still smell a product hours after spraying it, that is a telltale sign you have been exposed to phthalates in that fragrance

Prevalence of phthalates in deodorants

Host asks how many deodorants contain phthalates[6:25]
Guest says if a deodorant has fragrance in it, almost all of them will contain phthalates[6:29]
• She suggests it is safe to assume that fragrance in deodorants indicates phthalate content

Host's typical aerosol deodorant and label reading

Host shows an aerosol deodorant he uses regularly and asks if it has phthalates[6:40]
• He describes it as a common deodorant found on any store shelf in an aluminum can
Guest instructs him to check the ingredients list for "fragrance/parfum"[7:02]
• He confirms the label says "fragrance (perfume)"
Guest says that is the indicator and implies he should not spray it all over his body[7:14]
She notes some products say "phthalate free", which is helpful[7:14]
• However, even if labeled phthalate-free, the product may still contain other known carcinogens and allergens

Health rationale for avoiding fragrance and aerosols

Guest warns that people with respiratory or skin problems should avoid fragrance[7:25]
• She adds that anyone who does not want unnecessary carcinogen exposure would benefit from avoiding fragrance
Host asks about using a small spray amount for odor control[7:46]
• He says he sprays primarily for the benefit of others in a tight studio environment
Guest suggests instead finding a safer alternative, which she says is possible[8:00]
She advises avoiding generic fragrances unless they are specified as coming from essential oils[8:11]
• She reassures that essential oils will still make him smell nice, as fragrance compounds originate from plants

Specific problems with aerosol deodorants and propellants

Guest calls aerosol sprays one of the worst deodorant products one can use[8:30]
• She notes the host uses his aerosol every day and reacts strongly to that information
She explains aerosols use propellants derived from petroleum[8:35]
• She mentions a recent recall of thousands of products because propellants were a source of benzene contamination
Benzene is described as a known human carcinogen[8:48]
• She says benzene should not be inhaled because inhaled substances reach the brain and rapidly enter the bloodstream
• She states benzene is known to cause leukemia in people
Application method adds further inhalation risk[9:25]
• She points out that people spray aerosols in a stream aimed toward the face, increasing inhalation of particles and solids
She concludes that roll-on or stick deodorants with essential oils are best[9:35]
• She emphasizes looking for products that are solid (not aerosol) and scented with essential oils

Interpreting deodorant labels and limitations of "free-from" claims

Label terms to look for on deodorants

Guest recommends looking for "phthalate free" and "paraben free" on labels[9:46]
• She says these terms are helpful because they indicate absence of at least two known endocrine disruptors with evidence of harm
She cautions that such claims do not exonerate all other ingredients[10:01]
• There can still be contamination, byproducts, carcinogens, and hidden toxins in other components

Host's reaction to flammability and petroleum origin

Host notes the product is flammable like fuel and compares spraying it on himself to lathering in petrol[10:24]
• Guest says that is essentially accurate because propellants and many base ingredients come from petroleum
Host decides this will be his last day using aerosol deodorants and discards the can[10:43]

Evaluating a refillable roll-on deodorant and searching for safer options

Assessing a solid, refillable roll-on deodorant

Host presents a refillable roll-on deodorant and asks if it is a better alternative[11:01]
Guest says being a solid is better at least at a basic level, but ingredients must still be checked[11:08]
• She notes the sustainability of refillable packaging is good, but safety still depends on ingredient content

Examining the ingredient list of the roll-on

Host reads ingredients including tapioca starch, baking soda, sunflower seed wax, cocoa seed butter, tocopherol acetate, stearyl alcohol, and perfume[11:29]
Guest asks if the ingredients are recognizable and whether there is any detail on the perfume[11:48]
• Host reads that all deodorants are scented with a blend of fragrances to give specific scents, without more detail
Guest asks if there is any indication the product is phthalate- and paraben-free[12:04]
• Host confirms there is no such indication
Guest says the lack of transparency about what is in the fragrance should give pause[12:10]

Strategy for searching for safer deodorants

Guest suggests typing "organic" plus the product type, such as "organic deodorant", when searching online[12:30]
• She says this will significantly narrow down the choices
She clarifies that organic does not automatically guarantee absence of phthalates and parabens[12:41]
• She describes the situation as nuanced but says it is a useful first filter to then examine ingredients one by one
She recommends choosing products with essential oils instead of generic "fragrance"[12:54]
• Her main concern is the lack of transparency: if you do not know what is in the fragrance, you do not know what you are exposing yourself to

Who especially should be cautious about product toxins

Guest targets advice at people concerned about chemicals in their products[13:05]
• She specifically includes those thinking about getting pregnant, currently pregnant, breastfeeding, or generally health-conscious
She says this diligence is the work that needs to be done for such individuals[13:24]

Fragrance as a key toxicity indicator and marketing tactics

Fragrance as an easy screening tool

Guest confirms that a product being a roll-on or "sustainable" does not automatically make it safe[13:37]
• She notes there is a lot of marketing, and manufacturers know consumers are becoming more aware and demanding safer products
She says looking for "fragrance" or "parfum" is probably the easiest and most obvious way to weed out products[14:10]
• If there is no indication that fragrance comes from plants or essential oils, she advises not using the product

Marketing attempts to appear safe or eco-friendly

Guest explains that companies will press all the right marketing buttons, hoping consumers are not diligent enough to see through them[13:41]
• She emphasizes that terms like sustainable or refillable do not address toxicological safety of ingredients

Ubiquity and appeal of fragrance in consumer and children's products

Statistics on fragrance in personal care products

Host cites a statistic that high percentages of antiperspirants, shaving products, moisturizers, and sunscreens contain fragrance[14:24]
• He also notes that 96% of shampoos, 98% of conditioners, and 97% of hair styling products contain fragrance
He asks why manufacturers put fragrance into everything and whether products would not sell without it[14:44]

Guest on why fragrance is so widely used

She says we are sensory beings and fragrances affect mood and confidence[14:48]
• Fragrance can uplift mood and make people feel more confident, acting on a primal level
She notes manufacturers benefit from getting people hooked on fragrance early[15:04]
• She observes fragrances in children's products, including scented slime, markers, pens, crayons, and stickers
She describes difficulty finding unscented slime and resorts to making slime at home with her kids[15:20]

Growth of the fragrance industry and its impact

Guest says the fragrance industry has exploded over the past 10 to 15 years[15:37]
She calls fragrances one of the most pervasive sources of toxins in homes and daily life[15:44]
• She likens the prevalence of fragrance chemicals to a new form of secondhand smoke

Fragrance chemicals, household dust, and children's vulnerability

How fragrance chemicals behave in indoor air

Guest explains that fragrance chemicals volatilize, becoming gases that disperse in the air[16:00]
• She says smelling a fragrance hours later indicates the chemicals are still present in the air
She cites studies showing these chemicals bind to household dust[16:10]
• She emphasizes that unless dust is physically removed through cleaning, exposure continues

Why this is especially harmful for babies and children

Guest points out that babies' faces and airways are close to the floor where dust settles[16:42]
• Crawling infants inhale dust particles and the attached chemicals more intensely than adults
Children also ingest dust by putting objects and hands into their mouths[16:54]
• She stresses that children cannot effectively detoxify these chemicals from their bodies
She warns that few people dust, mop, sweep, and vacuum daily, increasing ongoing exposure[16:46]

Potential health outcomes from early-life exposure

Guest says such children may later develop allergies, cognitive delays, behavioral issues, and difficulty losing weight[17:13]
• She also mentions low energy, depression, and other conditions that are common but not necessarily normal
She emphasizes these conditions are avoidable by reducing such exposures[17:30]

Candles: risks from conventional scented paraffin candles

Host's candle habit before podcasts

Host says they always light candles before podcasts and shows one of them[17:38]
He asks the guest's opinion on whether candles are safe[17:49]

Guest's nuanced view on candle safety

Guest says it depends on the type of candle[17:49]
• She clarifies she does not claim all candles are toxic; there are safer alternatives for most products
She identifies conventional paraffin wax scented candles as the main concern[18:08]
• She notes these are what you see in most stores and represent the majority of candles
Host's candle is scented and does not specify wax type[18:15]
• Guest says in such a case, using the precautionary principle, one should assume it is paraffin wax and avoid lighting it unless proven otherwise

Five main reasons to avoid burning conventional candles

Reason 1: Emission of carcinogens and ultrafine particles[19:05]
• She lists benzene, toluene, and formaldehyde as carcinogens released when such candles are lit
• She emphasizes ultrafine particles (less than 0.1 microns) as particularly hazardous and invisible
• Ultrafine particles can travel into the brain and to the deepest parts of the lungs (alveoli), where only one cell layer separates air from the bloodstream
• She explains these particles enter the bloodstream and cause inflammation and oxidative stress underlying many chronic diseases
Reason 2: Release of volatile organic compounds (VOCs)[20:23]
• She briefly notes that VOCs are also released when burning conventional candles
Reason 3: Undisclosed fragrance chemicals in candles[20:29]
• Fragrance in candles can include endocrine disruptors, carcinogens, and allergens similar to those in personal care products
Reason 4: Carcinogenic dyes used to color candles[20:41]
• She notes that some dyes are carcinogenic and there is no clear understanding of health effects when they are burned
Reason 5: Lack of regulation for candle ingredients[21:23]
• She explains that the Consumer Product Safety Commission focuses on the candle container's fire safety and whether the wick contains lead, not on wax ingredients
• She warns that candles labeled "soy blend" may still be mostly petroleum-derived paraffin with a little soy wax
• Studies have shown that burning such candles emits significant numbers of hazardous chemicals

Incense risks compared to candles and cigarette smoke

Host suggests using incense instead of candles

Host proposes incense as an alternative, saying "We shall use incense instead"[21:53]
Guest responds that incense is even worse than conventional candles[21:53]

How modern incense differs from historical use

Guest notes incense has been used for thousands of years but modern incense is not the same as that used historically[22:00]
• She says modern incense contains phthalates and ultrafine particles

Evidence of health risks from incense smoke

She cites studies showing incense creates more ultrafine particles and pollutants than cigarette smoke[22:17]
• These ultrafine particles can damage DNA, leading to mutations and potentially cancer
She mentions increased cancer incidence among temple workers exposed to incense for hours daily[22:30]
She reports nearly threefold increased cancer risk in children whose parents burned incense in the home[22:46]
Host reacts by concluding there should be no incense in his house[22:46]

Safer candle options and framing of burning risks

Guest on the inevitability of emissions from burning

Guest clarifies that any burning is not necessarily healthy but risks can be reduced[23:10]
• She emphasizes the goal is not zero burning but finding candles with the lowest emissions

Characteristics of safer candles

Based on her research, beeswax candles with essential oils and wooden or cotton wicks have lower emissions[23:16]
• She presents these as much better alternatives than conventional brightly colored paraffin wax scented candles

Outro noting this was a replayed moment

Host identifies the segment as a "most replayed moment" from a previous episode

He says listeners can find the full episode linked in the description[23:36]

Lessons Learned

Actionable insights and wisdom you can apply to your business, career, and personal life.

1

Being a living example of healthier choices and making small, incremental changes over time can be more effective than trying to scare or lecture others into changing their behavior.

Reflection Questions:

  • • Where in your life are you currently telling others what to do instead of quietly modeling the behavior yourself?
  • • How might breaking a big lifestyle change into smaller, manageable swaps make it easier for you to follow through over the next month?
  • • What is one simple habit or product change you can embody this week that would speak louder than any advice you could give?
2

Environmental exposures can activate or silence genetic predispositions, so proactively reducing contact with known toxins is a practical way to influence long-term health outcomes.

Reflection Questions:

  • • What recurring exposures in your home or daily routine might be quietly influencing your health over years or decades?
  • • How would your decisions about products and environments shift if you viewed them as triggers that can turn genetic risks on or off?
  • • Which single category of products (e.g., deodorant, candles, cleaners) could you audit and upgrade this month to lower your long-term risk?
3

Generic label terms like "fragrance" or "parfum" often hide complex chemical mixtures, so learning to read and question ingredient lists is a critical consumer skill.

Reflection Questions:

  • • When was the last time you turned a product around and actually read the full ingredient list before buying it?
  • • How could you build a simple personal rule (such as avoiding undisclosed fragrances) to guide quicker, safer purchase decisions?
  • • Which three products you use daily will you commit to researching and possibly replacing based on what you learn from their labels?
4

Inhaled and airborne pollutants from everyday items like aerosols, candles, and incense can be particularly harmful because ultrafine particles and gases rapidly reach the brain and bloodstream.

Reflection Questions:

  • • What do you currently burn or spray indoors that you might rethink if you treated your air as something you "eat" all day long?
  • • How could improving your indoor air-by changing products or cleaning habits-potentially affect your energy, mood, or headaches over the next few weeks?
  • • What is one high-emission practice (such as using aerosols or scented candles) you could replace with a lower-emission alternative starting today?
5

Children are especially vulnerable to household toxins because they are closer to dust on the floor, constantly mouthing objects, and have less developed detoxification capacity.

Reflection Questions:

  • • If you have or care for children, what objects, cleaners, or fragrances in their immediate environment might be contributing to their exposure?
  • • How might your priorities shift if you evaluated your home from the perspective of a crawling child breathing near the floor?
  • • What specific changes could you implement this month-such as different products or more frequent dust removal-to reduce children's contact with harmful chemicals?
6

Marketing claims around sustainability or trendiness do not guarantee safety; you need to look past buzzwords and independently verify that products match your health standards.

Reflection Questions:

  • • Where have you been relying on front-label claims or brand reputation instead of verifying ingredients yourself?
  • • How could adopting a default skepticism toward vague claims like "natural" or "eco" improve your purchasing decisions?
  • • What is one product you currently consider "good" or "green" that you will re-evaluate by researching its full ingredient list this week?

Episode Summary - Notes by Logan

Most Replayed Moment: Are Your Household And Beauty Products Secretly Toxic? Dr Yvonne Burkart
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