As of 2023, several household items are officially banned from being manufactured and sold in the U.S., primarily due to health, safety, and environmental concerns:
- Incandescent light bulbs : As of August 2023, the sale and manufacture of incandescent light bulbs were banned because of their extreme energy inefficiency
- Corded window coverings : Banned in 2022 by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission to reduce child strangulation risks
- Crib bumpers : Declared banned hazardous products in 2022 due to links to infant deaths
- Mercury thermometers : Phased out and banned in several states because mercury is toxic and environmentally persistent
- Lead-based paint : Banned federally since 1978 due to serious health risks, though still present in older homes
- Certain refrigerants (R-22) in AC units : Phased out starting 2020 because they deplete the ozone layer
- Some weedkillers : Ingredients like chlorthal-dimethyl and dimethyl tetrachloroterephthalate (DCPA) are banned due to health hazards
- Gas leaf blowers : Banned in some states and cities (e.g., California, New Jersey, Illinois) for pollution and health concerns
- Wood shingles in fire-prone areas : Banned in wildfire-prone cities like Southern California for fire safety
- Red dye No. 3 (synthetic food dye) : The FDA banned its use in food, candy, and medicine by January 2025 due to cancer concerns; some states like California banned it earlier in 2023
Additionally, some states are enacting bans on multiple artificial food dyes due to health concerns, including effects on children's behavior and cancer risk
. These bans reflect ongoing efforts to improve safety, health, and environmental standards in household products in the U.S. as of 2023.
