Top 15+ Common Things From the 1970s That Have Been Banned From Society

It might be hard to notice all the ways our society is slowly changing over time. But when you look back at the difference between your life now and how things were during your childhood years, you’ll see that a lot has changed. If you grew up in the ‘70s, you probably remember these things that have now disappeared from modern life.

Lawn Darts

If you had a backyard in the 1970s, there’s a good chance you played with lawn darts at least once. These weren’t the harmless plastic toys you see today – they were basically giant metal-tipped missiles that kids were throwing around for fun. Not surprisingly, they led to some serious injuries, and after multiple accidents, including a few fatalities, the Consumer Product Safety Commission banned them in 1988.

Asbestos in Buildings

For decades, asbestos was used in homes, schools, and office buildings as insulation and fireproofing material. It was cheap, durable, and widely available. The problem? It turned out to be incredibly dangerous. When disturbed, asbestos fibers become airborne, and breathing them in can cause severe lung diseases like mesothelioma. By the late 1970s, regulations started phasing it out, and today, it’s banned in most new construction.

Smoking on Airplanes

Flying in the ‘70s was a completely different experience. Smoking on planes was totally normal, and airlines even had designated smoking sections. But as concerns about secondhand smoke grew, regulations started to change. Now, lighting up on a plane could get you a hefty fine and even land you in serious legal trouble.

Flame Retardants in Kids’ Pajamas

In the ‘70s, parents thought they were doing the right thing by buying flame-resistant pajamas for their kids. What they didn’t know was that the chemicals used to make them fireproof, like brominated and chlorinated flame retardants, were actually toxic. Studies linked them to hormone disruption, developmental issues, and even cancer.

Cyclamates in Artificial Sweeteners

Diet sodas and low-calorie foods were all the rage in the ‘70s, and cyclamates were a go-to artificial sweetener. They were 30 to 50 times sweeter than sugar and were found in everything from soft drinks to baked goods. But after studies linked them to cancer in lab rats, the FDA banned them in 1969.

Unregulated Baby Cribs

Safety standards for baby cribs were pretty relaxed in the ‘70s, which led to a lot of unsafe designs. Drop-side cribs, for example, were incredibly popular because they made it easy for parents to reach their baby. But they also had a major flaw – if the side detached unexpectedly, babies could get trapped or suffocate.

It took years of tragic accidents before regulations changed. By 2011, the U.S. officially banned drop-side cribs, and modern designs now have strict safety requirements.

High-Phosphate Laundry Detergents

Laundry detergents in the 1970s were packed with phosphates, which helped get clothes cleaner by softening water and breaking down stains. However, those same phosphates were wreaking havoc on the environment. When they washed into rivers and lakes, they caused massive algae blooms that choked out fish and disrupted entire ecosystems.

CFCs in Aerosol Sprays

Hairspray, deodorant, and spray paint all had one thing in common in the ‘70s: chlorofluorocarbons, or CFCs. These chemicals were used as propellants in aerosol sprays, and for a long time, no one saw a problem. That changed when scientists discovered that CFCs were destroying the ozone layer, which protects the Earth from harmful UV radiation.

Lead in Gasoline

In the ‘70s, cars were guzzling leaded gasoline without a second thought. It wasn’t until researchers discovered the serious health risks – like neurological damage and developmental delays in children – that action was taken. The U.S. started phasing out leaded gasoline in 1975, and by 1996, it was completely banned for use in regular vehicles.

DDT Pesticides

Farmers in the ‘70s used DDT (dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane) like it was going out of style. But as research piled up, it became clear that DDT wasn’t just killing bugs – it was poisoning wildlife and building up in the food chain. Bald eagle populations were nearly wiped out because of it. The U.S. banned DDT in 1972, and since then, many bird species have made a major comeback.

Glass Bottles in Beer and Soda Vending Machines

Back in the day, soda and beer vending machines often dispensed drinks in heavy glass bottles. It might have seemed harmless at the time, but as accidents increased, especially with shattered glass, it became clear that this wasn’t the best idea.

Handgun Advertisements on TV

Gun ads were once as common as car commercials, but by the late ‘60s and early ‘70s, that started to change. As concerns over gun violence grew, restrictions on firearm advertising tightened. By 1976, major networks banned handgun commercials altogether.

Toys with Dangerous Small Parts

Kids’ toys in the ‘70s were often full of tiny, removable pieces that posed serious choking hazards. It wasn’t until after multiple safety studies and tragic incidents that stricter regulations were put in place. By the late ‘70s and early ‘80s, toy manufacturers had to follow stricter safety guidelines, leading to the warning labels and size requirements we see today.