1. Roundup Weed Killer
Roundup, with its active ingredient glyphosate, became the go-to herbicide for American lawns and farms. But mounting lawsuits and research linked it to non-Hodgkin lymphoma and environmental damage, David Cox of The Guardian explains. Bayer, which bought Monsanto, has faced billions in legal settlements. Yet it remains one of the most popular weed killers on the market.
Gardeners and farmers swear by its effectiveness. Some say alternatives just don’t work as well or take too long. The company maintains glyphosate is safe when used as directed, and many consumers believe them. Despite the warnings, shelves keep getting restocked.
2. Energy Drinks
Energy drinks exploded in popularity in the early 2000s, offering a jolt of caffeine and sugar in flashy cans. But health experts warned of heart palpitations, anxiety, and even sudden death, especially in teens, according to Katia Hetter of CNN. Despite this, brands like Red Bull and Monster became household names. Today, over 30% of teens and young adults regularly consume them.
The drinks are marketed as edgy and energizing—perfect for gamers, students, and athletes. Many don’t realize how much caffeine or sugar they’re actually consuming. Deaths and ER visits have been reported, but regulations remain minimal. With flavors and branding constantly evolving, energy drinks show no signs of disappearing.
3. Tanning Beds
Tanning beds were all the rage in the ’90s and 2000s, even as dermatologists warned about the link to melanoma, according to Dr Catherine Conlon of The Journal. The World Health Organization eventually classified tanning beds as carcinogenic in 2009. But for years, people kept going for that “healthy glow,” regardless of the risks. Indoor tanning remains popular among teens and young adults, especially women.
It didn’t help that beauty standards often equated tan skin with health and attractiveness. Many salons promoted “safe” tanning myths, saying that indoor beds were somehow less harmful. In truth, just one indoor tanning session can increase melanoma risk by 20%. Still, about 7.8 million adults in the U.S. use tanning beds annually.
4. Lead-Based Paint
Lead paint was used in millions of American homes before being banned in 1978. Warnings about lead poisoning had been around since the early 1900s, but companies continued to sell it, David Rosner and Gerald Markowitz of The Atlantic explain. Even after the ban, lead paint remained in older homes, exposing generations of children to serious developmental risks. It’s still a major issue in low-income housing today.
Parents were often unaware that chipped paint could cause neurological damage. And landlords weren’t always quick to renovate or replace old materials. The paint industry resisted regulation, arguing there wasn’t enough evidence of harm. It took massive public health studies to finally shift the tide.
5. Lawn Darts
Ah, lawn darts—once the backyard toy of choice for thrill-seeking kids and adults. Despite a growing list of injuries and even fatalities, they remained popular throughout the ’70s and ’80s. The Consumer Product Safety Commission finally banned them in 1988, but not before around 6,000 ER visits were reported. Still, some people kept using them, claiming they were “just being careful.”
The appeal? They were fun, simple, and kind of dangerous in a “dad-approved” way. Many families felt warnings were exaggerated, blaming accidents on user error rather than the product itself. Even today, vintage sets are sold online to nostalgic buyers. It’s a classic case of “they don’t make ’em like they used to”—for good reason.
6. Asbestos
Used in everything from insulation to brake pads, asbestos was once hailed as a miracle material. But by the mid-20th century, the link to mesothelioma and lung disease was well-documented. Still, it wasn’t outright banned in the U.S.—and it remains legal in limited use to this day. People continued to work with it long after the dangers were clear.
Construction workers, mechanics, and factory employees were particularly at risk. Even with protective gear, the fibers lingered and caused long-term harm. The latency period made it easy to ignore—symptoms often took decades to appear. Yet some industries kept lobbying to preserve its use, valuing cost over health.
7. Trans Fats
For decades, Americans slathered margarine and ate fried foods loaded with trans fats. These artificial fats were popular because they extended shelf life and enhanced texture. But by the 1990s, studies linked them to heart disease, leading to serious health concerns. Still, companies were slow to phase them out, and people kept buying.
The flavor and convenience were hard to resist. Packaged cookies, microwave popcorn, and fast food all relied on trans fats to taste just right. It wasn’t until 2015 that the FDA gave manufacturers a deadline to eliminate them. Even now, you’ll find trans fats in imported foods or mislabeled items.
8. DDT
DDT was once a household name, praised for killing mosquitoes and protecting crops. During World War II, it was even sprayed on soldiers to prevent disease. But by the ’60s, research began linking DDT to cancer and ecological damage, famously outlined in Silent Spring by Rachel Carson. Still, many resisted giving it up because it was so effective.
The fear of malaria and crop loss made people question the warnings. Farmers especially felt the ban hurt their productivity. DDT was banned in the U.S. in 1972, but it’s still used in some countries today. That’s despite lingering health risks and its ability to persist in the environment for decades.
9. BPA Plastics
Bisphenol A (BPA) is a chemical used in many plastic containers and can linings. Even after studies suggested it could disrupt hormones, Americans kept buying BPA-laden products. It was especially concerning in baby bottles and food packaging. Eventually, manufacturers began to offer “BPA-free” alternatives, but the original products remained widespread for years.
Part of the issue was mixed messaging from regulators. The FDA stated BPA was safe at low levels, even as scientists warned of potential risks. Many consumers shrugged it off or didn’t know where to find alternatives. Convenience and price kept BPA plastics in high demand long after the red flags.
10. Fast Food
It’s no secret fast food isn’t great for your health. High in sodium, fat, and sugar, it’s been linked to obesity, diabetes, and heart disease. Still, Americans spend over $250 billion on fast food every year. Even documentaries like Super Size Me didn’t stop the cravings.
Part of the allure is that it’s everywhere—quick, cheap, and tasty. For many families, it’s also a time-saver in busy schedules. Some chains have introduced “healthier” options, but core menus remain indulgent. Despite all the warnings, the golden arches are still a national staple.
11. High-Fructose Corn Syrup
Introduced in the 1970s, high-fructose corn syrup (HFCS) quickly became a favorite sweetener for American food manufacturers. It was cheaper than sugar and made everything from soda to ketchup more palatable. But studies linked it to obesity, fatty liver disease, and metabolic issues. Even as awareness grew, products loaded with HFCS kept flying off the shelves.
Consumers often didn’t realize how many foods it was in. It wasn’t just soda—it was bread, yogurt, and salad dressing too. Labeling laws didn’t always make it obvious. And because the taste was so satisfying, many people didn’t want to give it up.
12. Baby Powder with Talc
Johnson & Johnson’s baby powder was a nursery staple for over a century. But lawsuits and studies linked talc-based powders to ovarian cancer and mesothelioma. In 2020, the company finally pulled it from U.S. and Canadian shelves. Yet for decades, people kept using it—even after multiple lawsuits and high-profile warnings.
Many believed it was safe simply because it had always been there. It was gentle, smelled nice, and felt like a trusted product. Doctors used to recommend it, further reinforcing its reputation. Even now, some people seek out talc-based powders from third-party sellers.
13. Firefighting Foam (AFFF)
Aqueous film-forming foam (AFFF) was used for decades by firefighters and military personnel to put out fuel fires. The foam contains PFAS—so-called “forever chemicals” linked to cancer, liver damage, and immune system effects. Even after concerns became public, its use continued due to lack of alternatives. It wasn’t until recent years that federal efforts began phasing it out.
Firefighters were often unaware of the long-term risks. Many believed they were using a life-saving tool with minimal downside. The foam’s effectiveness made it difficult to replace. And some departments still have stockpiles they continue to use.
14. Hoverboards
Remember the hoverboard craze around 2015? The self-balancing scooters were a viral sensation—until they started catching fire. Battery malfunctions led to explosions, burns, and house fires, prompting a wave of recalls and airline bans. Still, people kept buying them, especially cheaper knockoffs.
The appeal was too strong for many to resist. Celebrities rode them, kids wanted them, and social media was flooded with videos. Even with warnings, shoppers bet on luck or assumed newer models were safer. Some even modified the devices themselves, adding to the risk.
15. Red Dye No. 3
Used in candies, baked goods, and even cough syrup, Red Dye No. 3 was found to cause cancer in lab animals back in the 1980s. The FDA banned it from cosmetics but allowed it in food—a strange contradiction. Despite ongoing petitions to ban it outright, it’s still in many products Americans love. Think candy canes, maraschino cherries, and store-brand cereals.
The dye makes food look brighter and more appetizing. For many, the visual appeal outweighs the potential health risks. Parents have raised concerns about hyperactivity in children, but change has been slow. It’s one of those additives that keeps slipping through the cracks.
16. Cigarettes
Despite decades of public health campaigns, cigarettes have remained a stubborn favorite for millions of Americans. Even after the Surgeon General’s 1964 report officially linked smoking to lung cancer, cigarette sales stayed strong for years. It wasn’t until well into the 2000s that consumption truly started to decline. Still, over 28 million adults in the U.S. smoke today.
The addiction is powerful, but it’s also cultural. From James Dean to Don Draper, smoking was embedded in America’s image of cool. Tobacco companies used targeted marketing and flavored varieties to keep younger customers hooked. Even now, many former smokers say quitting was the hardest thing they’ve ever done.
17. Diet Pills with Ephedra
Ephedra-based diet pills were a massive hit in the ’90s and early 2000s. They promised fast weight loss and boosted energy, and people bought in by the millions. But reports of heart attacks, strokes, and deaths eventually led the FDA to ban ephedra in 2004. That didn’t stop some users from seeking it out through sketchy online markets.
The drive for rapid weight loss often outweighed concerns about health. Many people said the pills “worked too well” to give up, even if they came with serious side effects. Companies also skirted regulations by rebranding or tweaking ingredients. It took years for safer alternatives to gain ground in the supplement market.
