by D. O'Larde

Created on: May 15, 2008   Last Updated: August 01, 2010

You would think that manufacturers of chemical cleaning products would reveal all the ingredients used in their products. It would be safe to assume that they do not and would not reveal the trade secret of their products. There are chemicals harmful to the environment that may be found in some chemical cleaning products. Some of these chemicals are the following.

1. Phosphates. This is used to soften water and may be found in dishwashing liquid detergents. It can cause algae blooms in lakes and ponds that can lead to the suffocation of aquatic plants and animals.

2. Chlorine. This is used as a disinfectant. Its production releases carcinogenic dioxins into the atmosphere. It can mix in the food chain especially in cow's milk. Chlorine factories are also known to emit mercury in the atmosphere. Chlorine bleach finding its way in waste water can combine with organic compounds that may form harmful byproducts, such as trihalomethane. Trihalomethane can cause cancer.

3. Glycol ethers. This chemical dissolves soil. It has been detected in groundwater in the U.S. and Canada. It is classified as hazardous air pollutants under the Clean Air Act and as toxic air contaminants by California's Air Resources Board.

4. Alkyl phenol ethoxylates. These are surfactants (agents that help cleaners penetrate grime). They were found to be affecting U.S. rivers and streams. Male fish exposed to this chemical were found to be producing female egg yolk proteins. It also reduces the number of eggs produced by certain aquatic species.

5. Triclosan. This is a disinfectant used in antibacterial cleaners. It builds up in fish tissue and has been detected in soil. It may linger on cleaned surfaces, allowing bad bacteria to grow. It forms the probable carcinogen chloroform when exposed to chlorinated water.

6. Ammonia. It cuts through grease, derived from petroleum, and known to cause asthma.

7. Monoethanolamine. This is a surfactant derived from petroleum, and known to cause respiratory irritation and asthma.

Knowing that chemical cleaning products affect the environment, it is therefore important that they be disposed properly. EPA the Environmental Protection Agency should be able to advise consumers on the proper disposal of unused or leftover chemical cleaning products. Also, there are eco-friendly alternatives that can be used instead of harmful chemical cleaning products.

Credit should be given to GREEN GUIDE Spring 2008 issue magazine of NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC, which provided most of the information described in this article.

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