Some everyday items we use may be harmful to our health or even fatal. Most items that contain lead or other harmful elements people may come into contact with can be found online at the National Cancer Institue website. All items on the market are FDA approved. [Click to enlarge]

Cancer deaths in our area are increasing, the National Cancer Institute indicates, and everyday items we may be using may be contributing to the cause.

An online facts sheet from the National Cancer Institute stated that, although there is no evidence that regulated artificial sweeteners on the market in the United States are related to cancer risk in humans, an early study did show that cyclamate, one of several types of artificial sweeteners, caused bladder cancer in laboratory animals.

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) banned the use of cyclamate in 1969. More recent studies have failed to demonstrate that cyclamate is a carcinogen (a substance known to cause cancer).

Animal studies have linked saccharin, another artificial sweetener, with the development of bladder cancer. Congress required that all food containing saccharin bear the following warning label: "Use of this product may be hazardous to your health. This product contains saccharin, which has been determined to cause cancer in laboratory animals."

Although food items have caused a bit of a stir in the consumer concern department, women's cosmetics have often been targeted as supposedly containing a harmful product, lead.

Although many harmful and dangerous substances were used as ingredients at various times in womens' make-up in earlier days, causing women life long health problems, the FDA strictly regulates and controls what goes into cosmetics these days.

And, although lead may not cause cancer, its sure to be a harmful element to humans.

Any item of cosmetic, or anything else for that matter, has been approved by the FDA or it will not be for sale of the shelves in our local stores.

Exposure to lead can cause a range of deleterious health effects from behavioral problems and learning disabilities to seizures and death.

Young children are said to be more at risk because of their rapidly growing bodies.

Although house paints were said to contain large amounts of lead some years back, the market has changed and people are more aware of the dangerous element.

Lead awareness has improved in recent years as have regulations restricting the use of lead in goods or products average consumers might have contact with.

Thanks to this awareness, the National Cancer Institute says households now are safer than those of our parents and grandparents.