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Safer Cleaning for a Healthy Home by Roberta Greenwood

Household cleaners — their warnings seem as ominous as the germs they seek to protect us all from. Hazards to humans and domestic animals; Causes moderate eye irritation; Call a poison control center or doctor for treatment advice. The chemicals contained in many of the products that we’ve all used for years promise us a cleaner, brighter home but they’re not only difficult to pronounce, many are potentially harmful and even linked to fatal illnesses.

Classified as volatile organic compounds (VOCs), these chemicals have been associated with cancer; endocrine disruption; developmental disabilities in children; reproductive problems in women; eye, throat and lung irritation; and asthma. Just try to decipher what’s in the most commonly used household cleansers and you’re in for a difficult and confusing time. One of the biggest issues facing consumers is the fact that household products typically provide scant information on their packaging about potential risks to human health and the environment. When they do, almost all are meaningless advisories like, “Use in a well-ventilated area.”

Currently, federal regulations don’t require cleaning product manufacturers to disclose all of their ingredients; therefore, consumers purchase and use thousands of products that may contain chemicals with direct links to health problems.

Potentially Harmful Chemicals

Almost all common household cleaners contain some toxic ingredients; many contain carcinogens or suspected carcinogens. While prolonged exposure and occupational use increase risks, even “normal” household use can cause lasting health problems. Common chemicals that are found in everyday cleaning products are:

• Chlorine bleach (sodium hypochlorite): Short-term exposure to this gas can cause mild asthmatic symptoms or more serious respiratory problems. Never mix bleach with other substances.
• Petroleum distillates: These chemicals can irritate the eyes and lungs; longer-term exposure can damage the nervous system, kidneys, eyes and skin.
• Ammonia: Can irritate eyes and lungs and cause headaches.
• Phenol and cresol: If ingested can cause diarrhea, fainting, dizziness, kidney and liver damage.
• Nitrobenzene: If inhaled can cause shallow breathing; if ingested can cause poisoning and death. This substance has also been linked to cancer and birth defects.
• Formaldehyde: Used as a preservative in many household products, formaldehyde is a suspected human carcinogen that can irritate your eyes, throat, skin and lungs.
• Naphthalene: Found in mothballs, this suspected carcinogen may damage the eyes, blood cells, liver, kidneys, skin and the central nervous system.
• Hydrochloric acid or sodium acid sulfate: These chemicals can burn the skin and cause blindness if splashed in the eyes, or can burn the stomach if ingested.

According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), pollutant levels in homes can be five to 100 times higher than outdoors; toxic chemicals in cleaning products are a contributing factor to that rate. The U.S. National Center for Health suggests reducing synthetic chemicals in the home as a treatment strategy for allergies, asthma, sinusitis and bronchitis — illnesses that affect over 30 percent of the U.S. population. Recent studies indicate a strong correlation between toxins contained in household cleaners and cancer. The Breast Cancer Fund (founded in 1992) cites these frightening statistics: At the same time as breast cancer rates have tripled, 100,000 synthetic chemicals have been registered for use in the United States. Less than 10 percent of these chemicals have been fully tested for their effects on human health.

Even “green” products can present challenges to our health and environment. Because no official standards exist, many products labeled “environmentally friendly” or “natural” aren’t necessarily better than conventional cleaners. According to the Women’s Voices for the Earth (WVE), eco-friendly products may not be toxin free; only food can be certified organic, so cleansers making that claim haven’t met any rigorous testing standards. And with no law requiring cleaning product manufacturers to disclose all ingredients, WVE maintains that these products might also have great potential for harm.

Since 1995, WVE has worked to engage women in its campaign to live in a healthy environment. Seeking to educate the public about the harmful effects of household products and provide tools so that women can protect themselves and their families, WVE launched a “Green Party” program in March 2009. The campaign will “give women tools to hold their own house parties where guests can learn to use basic household supplies, like vinegar and baking soda, to make cleaners that they can trust.” Additionally, consumers will receive tips on how to get companies to make their cleaning products safer and better for our health and the environment.

Safe and Effective Products

So what’s the better decision when it comes time to clean? Many agree — replace toxic products with safer nontoxic alternatives. The Breast Cancer Fund and WVE both suggest using nontoxic, biodegradable cleaners free from synthetic fragrances. Or make your own cleaning products and save both money and the environment.

One of the easiest steps to take is to clean without bleach or chlorine. Household cleaners that contain bleach can be replaced with nontoxic alternatives such as baking soda, borax, soap and even vinegar. An added bonus is that these natural products are cheaper, too. Also, don’t use paper products that are bleached white with chlorine as they’ve been shown to increase the risk of cancer. Instead choose tissue, toilet paper and even office paper that is labeled “processed chlorine free” (PCF).

Vinegar mixed with water is an effective cleanser when it comes to fighting bacteria, mold and viruses commonly found in the kitchen. A paste of baking soda and water can be used to scour bathtubs and sinks, while borax and lemon juice can remove stains. Clean windows the old-fashioned way, with vinegar, lemon juice and water. Furniture can be cleaned with a mixture of olive oil and white vinegar.

Mark Rosenberg, MD and board member at the Institute of Public Health, stresses that the health risks for home cleaners are vast. “Thanks to recent research and increased public interest in environmentally sound and health-conscious products, there are more options than ever to keep your home healthy. Using natural cleaning products is the smart way to safeguard the health of your family.”

Roberta Greenwood is a frequent contributor to Seattle Woman. For more information on the WVE initiative requesting manufacturers to remove toxic chemicals from their products, visit www.womenandenvironment.org.

EASY RECIPES FOR SAFER HOUSEHOLD CLEANSERS

ALL-PURPOSE CLEANER: Mix 1/2 cup vinegar and 1/4 cup baking soda into 1/2 gallon (2 liters) of water. Store and keep. Use for removal of water deposit stains on shower stall panels, bathroom chrome fixtures, windows, bathroom mirrors, etc.

CARPET STAINS: Mix equal parts white vinegar and water in a spray bottle. Spray directly on stain, let sit for several minutes, and clean with a brush or sponge using warm soapy water. Pouring unflavored seltzer water over berry or red wine stains also works well as a preliminary step.

CHOPPING BLOCK CLEANER: Rub a slice of lemon across a chopping block to disinfect the surface.

OVEN CLEANER: Make a paste of baking soda and water, apply to oven surfaces, and let stand a while. Mechanical action is the key. Use a copper scouring pad for most surfaces. A razor blade is effective for getting under large food deposits.

SCOURING POWDER: For top of stove, refrigerator and other such surfaces that are easily scratched, use baking soda. Apply baking soda directly with a damp sponge. Add a few drops of liquid soap for extra cleaning power.

TOILET BOWL CLEANER: Pour a little baking soda and vinegar into the bowl and swish. Add a few drops liquid soap for extra cleaning power.

Remember to clearly label all cleaning products, even safer ones like these, and to keep them away from children and pets.

— Courtesy of Washington Toxics Coalition (www.watoxics.org) and Eartheasy.com

©2009 Caliope Publishing Company