What are the benefits of Green Cleaning?
According to EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) research, the air inside the typical home is on average 2-5 times more polluted than the air just outside its walls. For the most part, indoor air pollution is created by the use of toxic chemical products like household cleaners. An EPA report stated that indoor air pollution is one of the nation’s most important environmental health problems. The EPA also concluded that household cleaners are 3 times more likely to cause cancer than air pollution. Walk down the cleaning product aisle at the supermarket and notice the strong toxic odors, even though the packages are tightly sealed so they cannot leak. Those same vapors remain in a well sealed home. A 15 year study compared women who worked outside the home and those who didn’t. They found a 54% higher death rate from cancer in the women who stayed home. The study concluded that the increased death rate was due to daily exposure to hazardous chemicals found in ordinary household products. What is not being reported are the slow poisonings that occur in every home from continual exposure to household cleaning chemicals. A report by the Consumer Product Safety Commission found that 150 chemicals commonly found in homes have been linked to allergies, birth defects, breast cancer, testicular cancer, prostate cancer, declining sperm counts, and psychological abnormalities.
"Look deep into nature, and then you will understand everything better."
~ Albert Einstien
"Heaven is under our feet as well as over our heads."
~Henry David Thoreau
"If all mankind were to disappear, the world would regenerate back to the rich state of equilibrium that existed ten thousand years ago. If insects were to vanish , the environment would collapse into chaos."~ Biologist E.O. Wilson
Is it better for our children?
Every year there are over five million household poisonings that are reported. Many of these poisoning are fatal, and most of the victims are children. These poisonings are the result of accidental ingestion of household substances commonly found in just about every home. The toxins your children are breathing are slowly poisoning them but unfortunately instant poisonings happen every day. Skin burns, blinding, scarred esophagus, skin blistering, brain damage and death are just a few other damaging effects that can happen to your children. Where do you keep your cleaning supplies? Are they under your sink? Are they accessible to you children? Think about toxic cleaners as a loaded gun, would you have one in your home? Pound-for-pound, children breathe more air, drink more water, and eat more food than adults. Thus, they are more exposed to air and water pollution and pesticides.
Their bodies are more rapidly growing and developing, so chemicals that can harm development can do maximum damage at this critical time. Children also spend much of their time on the floor , where allergens, such as dust, and heavier-than-air chemicals settle and collect. We all know that this is a time of discovery for little ones and everything goes in the mouth.
"To me, a lush carpet of pine needles or spongy grass is more welcome than the most luxurious persian rug." ~ Helen Keller
What about our Pets?
Household cleaners can be extremely toxic to pets. A tightly sealed home is beneficial to the environment in that it saves on energy used, however if your home is filled with chemicals from cleaning products everyone suffers. Pets spend most of their time indoors; they may develop serious health problems. They also inhale higher concentrations given body weight. Therefore, many symptoms attributed to poisonous fumes can appear in our animals before they appear in us. Cats, in particular, have difficulty eliminating toxic chemicals because their systems are insufficient at metabolizing foreign intruders. Green Clean believes that pets are an important part of your family. Using Eco friendly products in your home helps ensure your pet has a long and healthy life.
"When people ask me 'What can I do?' - I say, 'There's two things. One, you must realize that, unlikely though it seems, your little life does make a difference, what you do each day. And secondly, leading from that, people must learn a little bit more and think a little bit more about the consequences of the choices we make each day - What we eat, where it comes from , how it was made, has it got chemical poisons in it, whether it involves the torture of animals." ~ Jane Goodall
What about the Eco system?
Nationwide more than 32 million pounds of household cleaning products are poured down the drain each day. Many of these products contain toxic substances that are not adequately processed by sewage treatment plants and septic systems. Most sewage treatment facilities are not capable of removing such toxic substances. Chemicals in household cleaners break down slowly in the ecosystem and can lead to harmful algae blooms and accumulation of toxins in the fatty tissues of fish and wildlife. Regardless of the process, sewage treatment plants concentrate the sewage into a solid called "sludge", which is then used on agricultural land, disposed of in a landfill site, or incinerated. Waste from outdoor privies slowly percolates through the ground along with other groundwater. It can end up infecting lakes, streams.
Common Hazardous Ingredients in Cleaning Products
Acetone - A neurotoxin, acetone may cause liver and kidney damage, and damage to the developing fetus. It is a skin and eye irritant. Found in spot treatment cleaners, mark and scuff removers, and other products.
Aerosol products- Aerosol propellants may contain propane, formaldehyde, a carcinogen, neurotoxin and central nervous system depressant, methylene chloride, a carcinogen, neurotoxin and reproductive toxin, and nitrous oxide . Products applied with aeresol sprays are broken into minute particles, which can be more deeply inhaled than larger particles, which may increase their toxic effect.
Ammonia - Undiluted, ammonia is a severe eye and respiratory irritant that can cause severe burning pain, and corrosive damage including chemical burns, cataracts and corneal damage. It can also cause kidney and liver damage. Repeated or prolonged exposure to vapours can result in bronchitis and pneumonia. Found in a wide range of cleaning products. Ammonia will react with bleach to form poisonous chlorine gas that can cause burning and watering of eyes, as well as burning of the nose and mouth.
Bleach: see sodium hypochlorite
Diethanolamine (DEA) - Listed as a suspected carcinogen by the State of California, this chemical is a skin and respiratory toxicant and a severe eye irritant. Used in a wide range of household cleaning products.
D-limonene - This chemical is produced by cold-pressing orange peels. The extracted oil is 90% d-limonene. It is a sensitizer, a neurotoxin, a moderate eye and skin irritant, and can trigger respiratory distress when vapours are inhaled by some sensitive individuals. There is some evidence of carcinogenicity. D-limonene is the active ingredient in some insecticides. It is used as a solvent in many all-purpose cleaning products, especially 'citrus' and 'orange' cleaners. Also listed on labels as citrus oil and orange oil.
Ethoxylated nonyl phenol - Nonyl phenols are hormone disruptors and some contain traces of ethylene oxide, a known human carcinogen. They are eye and skin irritants. Used in laundry detergents and other cleaning products.
Formaldehyde - In lab tests, formaldehyde has caused cancer and damaged DNA. Formaldehyde is also a sensitizer, with the potential to cause asthma. Several laboratory studies have shown it to be a central nervous system depressant. Exposure to formaldehyde may cause joint pain, depression, headaches, chest pains, ear infections, chronic fatigue, dizziness and loss of sleep. While formaldehyde naturally occurs in the human body in minute amounts, it is estimated that 20 per cent of people exposed to it will experience an allergic reaction. Used in a wide range of products, including some furniture polishes. Formaldehyde may be released by other chemicals, eg.quaternary 15.
Fragrance - Fragrance on a label can indicate the presence of up to 4,000 separate ingredients, most of which are synthetic. Many compounds in fragrance are human toxins and suspected or proven carcinogens. In 1989, the US National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health evaluated 2,983 fragrance chemicals for health effects. They identified 884 of them as toxic substances. Synthetic fragrances are known to trigger asthma attacks. The US Environmental Protection Agency found that 100% of perfumes contain toluene, which can cause liver, kidney and brain damage as well as damage to a developing fetus. Symptoms reported to the FDA from fragrance exposure have included headaches, dizziness, rashes, skin discoloration, violent coughing and vomiting, and allergic skin irritation. Clinical observations by medical doctors have shown that exposure to fragrances can affect the central nervous system, causing depression, hyperactivity, irritability, inability to cope, and other behavioral changes. Fragrance is a common skin irritant.
Methylene chloride - Methylene chloride is a carcinogen, a neurotoxin and a reproductive toxin. On inhalation, it can cause liver and brain damage, irregular heartbeat, and even heart attack. It is a severe skin and moderate eye irritant. Used in stain removers.
Monoethanolamine - This chemical may cause liver, kidney and reproductive damage, as well as depression of the central nervous system. Inhalation of high concentrations - when cleaning an oven for example - can cause dizziness or even coma. The chemical can also be absorbed through the skin. It is a moderate skin irritant, and a severe eye irritant. Found in many cleaning products, including oven cleaners, tub and tile cleaners, laundry pre-soaks, floor strippers and carpet cleaners.
Morpholine - This corrosive ingredient can severely irritate and burn skin and eyes, and can even cause blindness if splashed in eyes. It can cause liver and kidney damage, and long-term exposure can result in bronchitis. It reacts with nitrites (added as a preservative in some products, or present as a contaminant) to form carcinogenic nitrosomines. Morpholine is a moderate to severe eye, skin and mucous membrane irritant. Used as a solvent in a number of cleaning products, including some furniture polishes and abrasive cleansers.
Naphthalene - This registered pesticide is listed as a suspected carcinogen in California and is most commonly found in mothballs, and some other pest repellants, as well as in deodorizers. As a reproductive toxin, it is transported across the placenta and can cause blood damage. It can cause liver and kidney damage, and corneal damage and cataracts. Skin exposure is especially dangerous to newborns.
Parabens - Parabens are hormone disruptors. Widely used in cleaning products as preservatives, paraben is usually preceded by the prefixes methyl-, ethyl-, butyl-, or propyl. Parabens may cause contact dermatitis in some individuals
Paradichlorobenzene - This highly volatile registered pesticide is in the same chemical class as DDT. It is a suspected carcinogen, and may cause lung, liver and kidney damage. It is used in mothballs and some washroom deodorizers and urinal blocks.
Phosphoric acid - Extremely corrosive, it can severely irritate and burn the skin and eyes. Breathing vapours can make the lungs ache, and it may be toxic to the central nervous system. Found in some liquid dishwasher detergents, metal polishes, some disinfectants, and bathroom cleaners, especially those that remove lime and mildew.
Sodium dichloroisocyanurate dihydrate - This corrosive chemical is a severe eye, skin and respiratory irritant. It may cause liver and gastrointestinal damage, and may be toxic to the central nervous system. It will react with bleach to form poisonous chlorine gas that can cause burning and watering of eyes, as well as burning of the nose and mouth. It is found in some toilet bowl cleaners and deodorizers, as well as industrial detergents and some institutional dishwashing detergents.
Sodium hypochlorite (bleach) - A corrosive chemical, sodium hypochlorite is an eye, skin and respiratory irritant, as well as a sensitizer. It is especially hazardous to people with heart conditions or asthma, and can be fatal if swallowed. It may be a neurotoxin and toxic to the liver. Found in a wide range of household cleaners.
Sodium Lauryl Sulfate - Sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS) is used as a lathering agent. This chemical is a known skin irritant. It also enhances the allergic response to other toxins and allergens. The U.S. government has warned manufacturers of unacceptable levels of dioxin formation in some products containing this ingredient. SLS can react with other ingredients to form cancer-causing nitrosamines
Toluene - Exposure to toluene may cause liver, kidney and brain damage. It is also a reproductive toxin which can damage a developing fetus.
Turpentine - This chemical can cause allergic sensitization, and kidney, bladder and central nervous system damage. It is an eye irritant. Found in specialty solvent cleaners, furniture polish and shoe products.
Xylene - Xylene has significant neurotoxic effects, including loss of memory. High exposure can lead to loss of consciousness and even death. It may damage liver, kidneys and the developing fetus. It is a severe eye and moderate skin irritant. Used in some spot removers, floor polishes, ironing aids and other products.
Sources:
The Safe Shoppers Bible, David Steinman & Samuel Epstein
Cleaners and Toxins, Labour Environmental Alliance Society, Vancouver BC
Home Safe Home, Debra Lynn Dadd, Tarcher Inc, 1997 includes hundreds of "make your own" recipes.
Non-toxic, Natural and Earth Wise, Debra Lynn Dadd, Tarcher Inc, 1990, includes many "make your own" recipes.
Less Toxic Alternatives, Carolyn Gorman with Marie Hyde, Optimum Publishing, 2002 , emphasis on the needs of the chemically sensitive