Cleaning products and your health

You purchase organic cotton bedding and pesticide-free fruits and vegetables. At home, you use a vacuum with a HEPA filter and make sure that your children wash their hands before eating. But are you hiding skeletons under the sink or in the closet? I’m referring to chemical-based, conventional cleaning products - those bottles usually marked, per federal regulation, with a skull-and-crossbones logo.

In the US, accidental ingestion of chemical-based cleaning products accounts for many trips to the emergency room and calls to the Poison Control Center. Bleach is a strong corrosive and may cause pulmonary edema or coma if ingested, while ammonia can damage the eyes, respiratory tract, and skin. These aren’t the only harmful ingredients in conventional cleaning products, but manufacturers purposely omit many dangerous ingredients from labels. Additionally, chemical cleaning products end up in our waterways, soil, and landfills, where they contribute to oxygen-depleted ocean dead-zones, release harmful gases into our air, and poison both humans and wildlife.

Considering the negative consequences of conventional cleaning products and the wide availability of natural and effective alternatives, it is astounding that chemical-based cleaners still crowd the shelves of most supermarkets and drugstores. Natural cleaning products from brands such as Seventh Generation, Method and Mrs. Meyers are formulated without toxic chemicals and additives. In place of perfumes derived in a test tube, Seventh Generation’s products are scented with natural essential oils. Recent research suggests that common chemicals in air fresheners, including formaldehyde and phenol, are neuro-toxic. Skip the toxic sprays