by Melanie Whalley

Created on: March 04, 2008   Last Updated: February 18, 2011

If you are like me, you would also assume that if a product was on the market, it must be safe. The terms "household toxins" and "indoor air pollution" have came to light over the past decade as the medical and scientific communities have begun recognizing that common household chemicals can have an adverse effect on our health. Actually there are common consumer products that we use every day that are filled with toxic chemicals. Many of these products require special handling if they are used in a chemical laboratory or in the workplace. Yet we still use these same chemicals at home with no safety gear or proper ventilation.

FACTS

92% of all poison exposures occur in the home and involve everyday household items such as medicines, cleaning supplies, cosmetics and personal care items.

Every 13 seconds a family calls a poison control center regarding exposure to poison at home.

In 1989, 2,983 chemicals used in the home were analyzed by the National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health. These were the findings;

884 were found to be toxic, of these 778 can cause acute toxicity, 146 can cause tumors, 218 can cause reproductive complications, 314 can cause biological mutation, and 376 can cause skin and eye irritation.

THE PROCESS OF TOXICITY AND EFFECTS

Most indoor air pollution can be attributed to toxic vapors released by household cleaning products not only whilst they are in use but also in some whilst they are being stored. Next time you are walking down the cleaning aisle of the supermarket, notice how strongly it smells of toxic chemicals, even though they are tightly sealed!

There are three ways chemicals can enter your body: by swallowing, by breathing, or by contact with your skin or eyes. The majority of poisoning happens over a long period of time by gradual skin absorption or daily exposure to toxins we breathe in the air. Doctors now understand that toxins gradually build up in our bodies over time.

It was only recently that scientists have discovered that toxic chemicals can lodge in our endocrine system contributing to thyroid problems, diabetes, weight gain and infertility. People who are already ill, the elderly, children and fetuses are the most vulnerable to toxicity, however this does not mean other people won't suffer from toxicity.

Using common household cleaning products that are toxic can increase your risk of : cancer, birth defects, genetic changes, heart disease, allergies, infertility, fatigue, migraines and headaches are just to name a few.

It is time we all searched for alternative cleaning products made with natural ingredients either from a specialized manufacturer like Melaleuca or make our own products from baking soda, eucalyptus oil, white vinegar, tea tree oil etc.

Sources:

Debra Lynn Dadd, "Please protect yourself from household toxics", RM Barry, 2005.

American Association of Poison Control Centers.

Nancy Sokol Green, "Poisoning Our Children", The Noble Press, 1991.

Exposure of Homemakers to Toxic Contaminants, Toronto Indoor Air Commission, 1990.

Learn more about this author, Melanie Whalley.
Click here to send this author comments or questions.