by Dawn R. Cole

Created on: June 15, 2008

THE REAL DIRT ON COMMON HOUSEHOLD CLEANERS

We use them every day to wash dishes, launder clothing, polish furniture, shine appliances, remove stains, disinfect, attack mold and mildew, and make our living spaces smell clean. We naturally assume they are relatively safe because they are available over-the-counter, at our local supermarkets, discount stores, and even at mini-mart gas stations but, what we don't know is, that products that smell clean, are probably toxic.

THE DIRTY FACTS:

Common household cleaners have been found to contain "volatile organic compounds" that include toluene, formaldehyde, phenol, benzene, and xylene; all toxic to the immune system, and known cancer-causing substances.

The steam from your dryer vent releases toxic compounds into the air from laundry soap residue, bleach, and the chemicals used in those aromatic dryer sheets. Toothpaste contains the same suds-producing chemicals as your average laundry soap.

The average household's kitchen and bathroom cabinets contain more chemical combinations (approximately 62,000) than most chemistry labs had in storage at the turn of the century! 72,000 synthetic chemical compounds are used in household cleaning products and most never undergo any testing for potential long-term health effects, especially on young children. Only 2% have been tested for carcinogenic, mutagenic, or toxic properties prior to being released to the public. Over the years, studies have reported that 85% of the warning labels on cleaners were either incorrect or inadequate when it came to poison identification, chemical content, and first aid instructions.

In most countries, chemical regulation has focused on hazardous exposure levels in the workplace or common, outdoors areas, where OSHA or the EPA have jurisdiction. The chemicals we use in our homes fall outside of these establish guidelines and lack the proper amount of legal regulation and oversight. Almost 98% of toxins, used in home cleaners, are not even required to be listed on the labels. It's all about money. In order for just one chemical to be fully researched and tested for cancer-causing components, it could take 3 years, and hundreds of thousands of dollars, to determine its toxicity level.

COMMON CHEMICALS IN HOUSEHOLD CLEANERS AND THE DANGERS TO YOUR HEALTH:

* LIQUID DISH SOAP = Formaldehyde and ammonia.

DANGERS: The number one cause (over 2.1 million cases annually) of poisoning in children under 6 years old. Label warns that the liquid is "harmful if swallowed."

• 1
• 2
• 3
• 4
• Next Page >>