Most of us are exposed to chemical cleaning products and their residues at low levels on a daily basis. These chemicals can enter our bodies either by breathing them in when they are volatized in the air or by absorption through the skin or through ingestion of household dust and chemical residues left on dishes and cutlery. Cleaning products chemicals can have also a serious impact on aquatic ecosystems when they are flushed down the drain.
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We don’t know exactly the composition of household cleaners
According to a new study carried out by the Environmental Working Group, chemical cleaning products in your home may contain hidden hazardous ingredients. Indeed, They ranked more than 2500 products from A to F based on safety and transparency of ingredients in their healthy cleaning guide. Of the 400 newest additions, EWG says nearly half rated poor on ingredient disclosure and only about one in seven earned an A or B for both ingredients and disclosure. A majority had ingredients linked to respiratory concerns and one-fourth had ingredients linked to cancer.Samara Geller from EWG said that shockingly nearly half of the products they reviewed received a poor score in terms of ingredient disclosure because of the fact that manufacturers are still relying far too heavily on vague and gradient terminology, for example, they’re using terms like surfactants and preservatives fabric brighteners and fragrance. This
Samara Geller from EWG said that shockingly nearly half of the products they reviewed received a poor score in terms of ingredient disclosure because of the fact that manufacturers are still relying far too heavily on vague and gradient terminology, for example, they’re using terms like surfactants and preservatives fabric brighteners and fragrance. This non-specific description of product ingredients tells us very little about the health and environmental impacts of those products. Unfortunately, this analysis uncovered also that really only about a quarter of products are fully disclosing their ingredients which means that if you have a health problem after using these products like skin allergy, for example, it’s very difficult to avoid a particular preservative that is implicated in skin allergy if you don’t know the ingredient exists in the products.
Chemical cleaning products affect considerably our indoor environment
Environmental Defense conducted an experiment using 14 volunteers from three Canadian communities. The experiment looked at how chemicals and cleaning products affect indoor air quality and human health. The tests found chemicals that contribute to indoor air pollution and are linked to respiratory problems including asthma. All the volunteers clean their kitchens for 30 minutes. Some used conventional products from the country’s most popular cleaning brands while others used green products.
For both groups, toxic chemicals called volatile organic compounds or VOCs were found in air tests. On average, the volunteers who used conventional products saw VOCs levels increase in the air in their homes by 120 percent. Canadians spend about 90% of our time indoors so indoor air pollution is a very real concern.
There are things people can do to protect themselves while cleaning such as opening a window and purchasing safer products or making their own. However, consumers shouldn’t have to worry about these chemicals and products. In the first place, companies should make an effort to reduce VOCs and products and we need stronger regulations around product labeling.
10 toxic cleaning product chemicals that you should avoid
This video summarizes the 10 toxic cleaning product chemicals
The average household contains about 62 toxic chemicals, say environmental experts. Ingredients in common household products have been linked to asthma, cancer, reproductive disorders, hormone disruption and neurotoxicity. Even that in small amounts these toxic ingredients aren’t likely to be a problem, the real danger arises when we are repeatedly exposed to these chemical cleaning products and in combinations that haven’t been studied. Here’s the list of some of the worst toxic offenders commonly found in household cleaning products:
1- 2-Butoxyethanol (2-BE)
2-BE belongs in the category of “glycol ethers,” a set of powerful solvents that don’t mess around. According to the EPA’s Web site, in addition to causing sore throats when inhaled, at high levels glycol ethers can also contribute to narcosis, pulmonary edema, and severe liver and kidney damage. In addition, it’s known as a skin and eye irritant and it has been associated with blood disorders and reproductive problems. This chemical is listed as a toxic substance under the Canadian Environmental Protection Act on the basis that it is harmful to human health. Regulations limit the concentration of 2-BE in most household cleaners to 5 or 6 percent, but higher concentrations are permitted in other products, notably and laundry stain removers (up to 22 percent).
Found in: glass cleaners, laundry stain removers, carpet cleaners, automobile cleaners, windshield wiper fluid, degreasers, oven cleaners, and rust removers.
2- Phthalates
Phthalates are known as endocrine disruptors. They can also cause reproductive problems. Indeed, according to a 2003 study conducted by researchers from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Harvard School of Public Health, men with higher phthalate compounds in their blood had correspondingly reduced sperm counts.
Found in: Many fragranced household products, such as air fresheners, dish soap, even toilet paper.
3- Ammonia
Vapours may irritate the skin, eyes, throat, and lungs. People with asthma may be particularly sensitive to the effects of breathing ammonia. Ammonia may also cause kidney and liver damage. Ammonia can also create a highly poisonous chloramine gas if it’s mixed with bleach.
Found in: window cleaners, drain cleaners, toilet cleaners, bathroom cleaners, oven cleaners, stainless-steel cleaners, car polish, and all-purpose cleaners.
4- Coal tar dyes
Petrochemicals derived products that may contain trace amounts of heavy metals like arsenic, cadmium, and lead. Synthetic dyes may cause cancer and that heavy metals can harm the nervous system and cause other adverse health effects.
Found in: most types of cleaning products.
5- Nonylphenol ethoxylates (NPEs)
Degrade into nonylphenols (NPs), which can mimic the hormone estrogen. In laboratory experiments, NP has been shown to stimulate the growth of human breast cancer cells and cause adverse reproductive effects in fish and other aquatic organisms. Several chemicals in this class are listed as toxic substances under the Canadian Environmental Protection Act.
Found in: liquid laundry detergents, stain removers, all-purpose cleaners, air fresheners, toilet bowl cleaners, degreasers, and car wash products.
6- Quaternary Ammonium Compounds (Quats)
Irritants and sensitizers that can induce an allergic response following contact with the skin. Quats are also known to cause asthma with exposure on a regular basis. Preliminary evidence indicates they may cause adverse genetic and reproductive effects. Chemicals in this class are persistent in the environment and toxic to aquatic organisms. Quats are antimicrobial agents, and thus pose the problem of helping breed antibiotic-resistant bacteria. The Canadian Medical Association has called for a ban on antibacterial consumer products.
Found in: bathroom cleaning products, all-purpose cleaners, fabric softeners, and degreasers.
7- Triclosan
Triclosan is an aggressive antibacterial agent that can promote the growth of drug-resistant bacteria. It’s Toxic and a suspected endocrine disrupter. The European Union classifies triclosan as irritating to the skin and eyes, and as very toxic to aquatic organisms. Triclosan can also react in the environment to form dioxins, which bioaccumulate and are toxic.
Found in: dish soaps and disinfectants, as well as a wide range of other household products. Look for it listed as an “active ingredient” in antibacterial products.
8- Chlorine
The health risks from chlorine can be acute, and they can be chronic; it’s a respiratory irritant at an acute level. But the chronic effects are what people don’t realize: It may be a serious thyroid disruptor.
Found in: Scouring powders, toilet bowl cleaners, mildew removers, laundry whiteners, household tap water.
9- Phosphates
High concentrations of phosphates in bodies of water can promote harmful algal blooms and increase weed growth. This can cause oxygen levels in the water to decline, potentially killing fish. Excess algal growth a can also plug filtration devices at water treatment facilities and affect the taste and odor of the water, resulting in increased costs of water purification. Certain algae blooms produce chemicals that are toxic to animals and people who drink the water.
Found in: dishwasher detergents, laundry detergents, and bathroom cleaners.
10- Sodium hydroxide (also known as lye and caustic soda)
Highly corrosive; can burn the eyes, skin, and lungs and is a respiratory irritant. Long-term exposure in the air may lead to ulceration of the nasal passages and chronic skin irritation. Inhaling sodium hydroxide can cause a sore throat that lasts for days.
Found in: oven cleaners, bathroom cleaners, disinfectants, drain openers, and toilet bowl cleaners.
How can we replace these chemical cleaning products with safer products?
Fortunately, there are plenty of safer alternatives available today, but deciding which ones are truly healthier or just designed to look that way isn’t so easy. That’s why the safest choice with guaranteed results would be using products that are certified and authorized by governmental institutions. For example in Canada where I live, Ozaclean products (manufactured by Ozymes Inc. Canada) which are enzyme-based cleaners are one of the best options in this case. In fact, all these products are certified that they are biodegradable and approved by Health Canada for safe use. In addition, Ozaclean provides cleaners for all your home details like floor cleaners, bathroom cleaners, kitchen cleaners, carpet cleaners, etc…. Not only that but also it offers solutions for hard industrial cleaning tasks such as rust removers and strong degreasers. Recently, Ozaclean products are available on Amazon so you can get them with just one click.
