11 Common Household Products From Victorian England That Could Kill You

Parkesine was one of the very first forms of plastic. It was invented during the Victorian Era, and became incredibly popular. This plastic was molded into combs, collars, children's toys, and billiard balls, among other things. The only problem was that the compound was very combustible, and could explode on impact, making those games of billiards quite dangerous indeed.

Wallpaper was a big trend in interior decor during the Victorian Era. But not just any wallpaper - Scheele's Green wallpaper. This specific shade of green was created with the use of arsenic. Unfortunately, the deadly chemicals in the dye would flake off over time, turning into a dust that was easily inhaled. This was particularly dangerous for infants and young children, who would get lung diseases and even die from breathing in small amounts of the dust. 

Before pasteurization, drinking tainted milk could make a person sick, but usually not kill them outright. During the Victorian Era, rumors spread that boracic acid - also known as boric acid - would purify milk and make it keep for longer. People took to this idea in droves, and added the white powder to milk that their children drank. Unfortunately, the poison caused vomiting and diarrhea, and killed around 500,000 children in England.

Indoor plumbing was a new invention during the Victorian period. It was convenient, and running water made indoor sinks, bathtubs, and toilets a popular addition to homes. On the contrary, public sewage systems weren't yet perfected. Methane would back up in the sewers and spread into homes, where the gas would explode when brought into contact with lit candles. In some cases, the toilet would explode, killing the person in the room at the time.

It was important for proper women to have a very pale complexion during the Victorian time period. This was achieved with the help of face powders and paints, some of which contained lead. The most popular brand of the period, Laird's Bloom of Youth, contained the chemical. Lead impacted women's motor skills, and caused what was then called "lead palsy" of the hands. With continued use, death by lead poisoning would occur. 

Commercial bakeries began to make their way across the United States during the Victorian period. This had its advantages, as this dietary staple could be purchased, rather than baked at home. It had deadly disadvantages as well. Some commercial bakeries thinned out their flour with alum powder in order to save money. Alum, as in aluminum, made the bread whiter and better looking as well. This had deadly consequences for children, as the powder caused malnutrition, bowel issues, and constipation, issues that were not easily cured back then.