Back in the ’70s and ’80s, people were all about chasing the next big thing, especially when it came to health, beauty, and lifestyle trends. From diet fads to questionable home remedies, we often trusted what we were told without second-guessing it.
Looking back, it’s almost unbelievable what we used to accept as “good for us.” Whether it was a sugar-packed cereal marketed as part of a balanced breakfast or tanning for hours without sunscreen, some of these habits now seem downright absurd. Here are 20 things we used to think were good for us in the ’70s and ’80s, but really weren’t.
1. DDT in bug spray
This powerful pesticide was sprayed inside homes and on crops as if it were harmless. People trusted it to keep bugs at bay, not realizing it was slowly poisoning the environment, and possibly themselves.
2. PABA in sunscreen
PABA or para-aminobenzoic acid was once a go-to ingredient for sun protection, but many users experienced allergic reactions, and long-term use raised red flags about its safety. Safety concerns included DNA damage and endocrine disruption.
3. Saccharin
This sugar substitute popped up in everything from drinks to gum. It was praised for being “safe” until studies linked it to cancer in lab animals.
4. Plastic bottles with BPA
BPA made plastics durable, but it also mimicked hormones in the body. It wasn’t until years later that people realized the potential risks.
5. Mercurochrome and mercuric antiseptics
They stung like crazy, but were a household staple for cuts and scrapes. That was until it came out that they contained toxic mercury compounds.
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6. X-ray shoe fittings
These machines let you see your bones inside shoes, which seemed futuristic. In reality, they exposed kids to unnecessary radiation.
7. Formaldehyde in hair products
Salon treatments that promised sleek hair often came with chemical fumes that irritated eyes, lungs, and later raised cancer concerns.
8. Diet pills with amphetamines
Doctors handed them out as an easy fix for weight loss. But these pills were addictive and dangerous, with serious side effects.
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9. Asbestos insulation
Once hailed as a miracle material for fireproofing, it was later found to cause deadly lung diseases after even minimal exposure.
10. Leaded gasoline
For decades, cars ran on leaded fuel, which polluted the air with neurotoxic particles. Children especially suffered the consequences through developmental delays and learning disabilities.
11. Radium clocks and watches
These glowing dials looked cool in the dark, but they contained radioactive materials that exposed users, and especially factory workers, to dangerous radiation levels.
12. Microwave-safe plastic wrap
People would cover their food with thin plastic film and microwave it without thinking. Some of those early plastics released toxic chemicals like phthalates when heated.
13. Soap with lye
Used to clean bodies and hair, these treatments caused chemical burns, scalp irritation, and long-term damage.
14. Chlorinated pool water without regulation
Do any 70s kids remember a trip to the pool that ended in a nasty rash? Over-chlorinated pools could cause eye and skin irritation, and when chlorine reacted with sweat and urine, it sometimes produced harmful gases like chloramines. Luckily, today these things are monitored hourly.
15. Crib mattresses with flame retardants
These were designed to prevent fires but often contained brominated flame retardants, which have since been linked to hormone disruption and developmental delays.
16. Metal playground equipment
It seemed indestructible, but under the sun, it became dangerously hot, causing burns and injuries. Plus, there was zero shock absorption underneath.
17. Lead-based paint
Used everywhere from walls to children’s toys, it didn’t seem dangerous until kids started getting lead poisoning from chipping paint.
Want to see more content from the ’70s and ’80s?
Check out 20 Photos That Embody Punk Rock Culture (1970s-1980s), or take a look at 17 Things No One Misses About The 1970s. Finally, if you want to check out photos of the ’70s oil crisis, take a look at 15 Vintage Photos of the 1970s Oil Crisis.
