Tuesday, January 31, 2012 at 10:00AM | Post a Comment tagged Courtney Kuhlman, Jill Atkinson | in Consumer Power, Well-Being
Courtney Kuhlman, Jill Atkinson | in Consumer Power, Well-Being 8 Household Cleaners You Should Avoid
In 2010, researchers from Battelle and the University of Washington tested 25 top-selling cleaning products and found that each emitted at least one chemical classified as toxic or hazardous under federal laws and 11 contained at least one probable carcinogen. Scary stuff. Household cleaning manufacturers are not required to list the ingredients in their products, (they claim that their formulas are trade secrets.)
However, an increasing number of companies are recognizing that consumers have a right to know what’s in the products they buy. And what about the failure of industry to test these chemicals BEFORE they are added to these products? We asked a group of eco-experts to come clean … to tell us what household cleaning products they avoid using themselves. And we’ve tried to provide some safer alternatives so you can feel better about tackling those dirty jobs.
1. The Environmental Attorney Won’t Use: Glass Cleaners
Deborah Goldberg is Managing Attorney of the Northeast office of Earthjustice, a nonprofit environmental law firm that sued four household cleaner manufacturing giants for refusing to disclose their chemical ingredients.
The dirty truth: Window cleaners commonly contain a class of chemicals known as glycol ethers, linked to a range of health impacts from anemia to birth defects. Studies of one of the most common glycol ether (2-butoxyethanol) have linked it to liver cancer in animals. What’s worse, these chemicals can invisibly penetrate rubber gloves and be absorbed directly into your bloodstream through your skin. “Until household cleaner manufacturers follow the law and disclose all ingredients in their products, there’s no way of knowing for sure whether or not they contain these dangerous chemicals,” Goldberg said.
The solution: A homemade solution (1-2 drops liquid soap, 3 tablespoons white vinegar, and 2 cups water) will get the job done just fine.
Save green: This simple recipe using ingredients you likely already have on hand will save you money AND a trip to the store.
2. The Breast Cancer Expert Won’t Use: Stain Remover
Sharima Rasanayagam Ph.D. is the Director of Science for the Breast Cancer Fund, a San Francisco, Calif.-based advocacy group that focuses on environmental links to breast cancer.
The dirty truth: To avoid chemicals linked to breast cancer, one of the top strategies is to avoid products with synthetic fragrance. The word “fragrance” on a label may indicate that there are dozens of unidentified chemicals in a product – including phthalates, which are considered to be endocrine-disrupting compounds, because they can interfere with the body’s production of both estrogen and testosterone. Alkylphenols – common in stain removers, detergents and air fresheners – are another ingredient of concern for breast cancer, because they can mimic estrogen. “Laboratory studies have associated alkylphenols with altered development of the mammary gland and increased risk of mammary cancer. Alkylphenols can also increase the growth of human breast cancer cells,” says Rasanayagam.
The solution: Oil and grease stains need heat to dissolve. Sprinkle some cornstarch or baking soda on the stain, then place the garment, stain-side down, on a large rag on top of an ironing board. Using a hot iron, iron on the wrong side of the stain. Most oil and grease stains will come right out.
Save green: Nature's greatest solvent is water, and this, coupled with speedy action on your part, is the key to successful stain removal.
3. The Industrial Hygienist Won’t Use: Antibacterial Soap
Monona Rossol, M.S., M.F.A. is a chemist, artist, and industrial hygienist. She is the President/ founder of Arts, Crafts and Theater Safety Inc., a not-for-profit corporation dedicated to providing health and safety services to the arts, and the author of “Pick Your Poison”.
The dirty truth: It’s a good idea to avoid the use of antibacterial soaps, sanitizers, detergents and cleansers. Not only are antibacterial compounds contributing to antibiotic-resistant germs, some of them – like triclosan – also disrupt the body’s hormones. Triclosan disrupts thyroid hormone, and the jury is still out on whether it’s of concern for breast and other cancers. It’s also harmful to the environment. Water treatment plants don’t process the chemicals well. They end up in surface waters, frequently at concentrations that are toxic to aquatic life. Also, antibacterial ingredients don’t kill viruses, which cause the vast majority of colds and flu. Says Rossol “These concerns about triclosan and similar compounds plus the negative impact on the environment put it firmly on the list of ingredients to avoid.”
The solution: Wash your hands with a gentle plant-based soap.
Save green: Make your own soap … it’s fun for the whole family.
4. The Home Health Expert Won’t Use: Air Fresheners
Michelle McIntyre, MPH, is the Founder of Envirosentials.
The dirty truth: Air fresheners are sold in a variety of products and applications including plug- in deodorizers, spray cans, solid sticks, wick diffusers, and scented candles. They are typically used for odor control or aesthetic purposes in the indoor environment. With the wide range of products, they can be found in just about every room in the house and are becoming more popular for use in retail stores, restaurants, and public bathrooms. According to the EPA, there are four basic ingredients in air fresheners: formaldehyde - a known carcinogen, petroleum distillates such as butane and propane, p-dichlorobenzene - a toxic irritant, and aerosol propellants. They are usually highly flammable and can be strong irritants to eyes, skin, and throat. Asthmatics may have trouble breathing around these products and may find them highly irritating. Says McIntyre, “In my consulting practice, I have found that many people use these products to mask odors of other potentially more problematic indoor odors, such as musty odors from mold growth and water damage, or second hand smoke. If the environment is clean, dry, and well-ventilated, air fresheners shouldn’t be necessary.”
The solution: Removing all air fresheners and fragrances from the indoor environment will immediately improve the indoor air quality.
Save green: Ventilate the home, open the windows and doors – it’s free!
5. The Scientist Won’t Use: Oven Cleaners
Rebecca Sutton PhD is a senior scientist for the Environmental Working Group.
The dirty truth: Conventional oven cleaners create toxic fumes that can burn eyes, skin and internal organs. Lye and ammonia are often the cleaning agents and they are especially dangerous in aerosols. "Conventional oven cleaners are highly corrosive and since they are typically spray-applied, they pose particular risk to our lungs,” says Sutton.
The solution: Order Takeout Make a paste of baking soda and water and spread on oven interior. Leave overnight with oven door closed. Remove with a sponge or eco-friendly scrub pad.
Save green: While your oven is still warm, sprinkle water on the spill, then sprinkle salt on it. When the oven cools down, scrape the spill away and wash the area.
6. The Osteopath Won’t Use: Laundry Detergent
Amy Dean is a Doctor of Osteopathy and the President Elect of the American Academy of Environmental Medicine.
The dirty truth: "I would never use commercial laundry detergents. Most laundry detergents are made from petrochemicals even when labeled "fragrance free," says Dean. These commercial detergents cause low-grade chronic daily exposure to a variety of toxic chemicals including: 1,4- dioxane – a respiratory irritant and possible carcinogen, phenol – a toxic chemical compound, fragrances and even formaldehyde. Some of the chemicals are known carcinogens and can have hormone-disrupting properties that cause disease. Says Dean, “It's a subtle exposure, but one that's happening all the time since it's in everything we wash from clothes to bedding.”
The solution: Choose plant based, fragrance free detergents found in health food stores and drying your clothes outside in the sunshine will brighten cotton and linen.
Save green: Buying in bulk can help. Remember, you can't put a price on your health.
7. The Green Cleaning Expert Won’t Use: Cleaner/Disinfectants
Jason Marshall ScD is the Director of the Toxics Use Reduction Institute Laboratory at UMass Lowell.
The dirty truth: The Toxics Use Reduction Institute's Laboratory provides process specific trainings and product formulation assistance to ensure the selection of safer ingredients without sacrificing performance. “The one category of product that I have always recommended for consumers to shy away from has been the all-in-one cleaner/disinfectant products,” says Marshall, “The reason being that you can't disinfect a dirty surface. By using cleaner/disinfectant, you would be creating a false sense of security that you had removed potentially dangerous organisms from your home. To do it correctly, you would need to clean the surface first, and then follow up with a disinfecting product to ensure proper protection.” The other common problem with disinfecting is improper use of the product. Typically, these products require an extended contact time prior to removing from the surface. Without this proper dwell time, disinfection will not be complete, again giving consumers a false sense of security.
The solution: Grapefruit seed extract and essential oils such as lavender, clove, and tea tree oil have antiseptic properties and operate as natural fungicides.
Save green: Microfiber cloths are a new addition to the world of cleaning that can significantly reduce use of chemical cleaning agents. These untreated, reusable cloths can lift off dirt, grease and dust without the need for cleaning chemicals, because they are formulated to penetrate and trap dirt. A good quality cloth can last for several years.
8. The Eco-Activist Won’t Use: Toilet Bowl Cleaners
Sara Rampersaud is the owner of YourGreenReview.com, and a sustainable business consultant at Eco Assist, a natural living company.
The dirty truth: Like many other cleaning products, toilet bowl cleaners often do more than just clean; they contaminate indoor air, leave trace amounts of hazardous chemicals on surfaces that we come in contact with and pollute local water supplies. But toilet bowl cleaners are notoriously hazardous, and can contain toxic chemicals like phenols, hydrochloric acid and pesticides, all of which can get into our bodies through inhalation, ingestion and skin absorption. For typical household use, harsh chemicals like these are not necessary. Says Rampersaud, “Keep in mind that just because a product makes it onto store shelves doesn’t mean that it’s been proven safe (heck, cigarettes are still sold and we know how harmful they are!). In my opinion, achieving snow-white toilet bowls shouldn’t have to mean giving up a safe home.”
The solution: Look for products that are labeled as being fragrance and dye-free, biodegradable within a specified period of time, are plant-based and those that fully disclose their ingredient lists. Avoid products labeled with Danger/Poison, Corrosive, Severely Irritating, Highly Flammable, Highly Combustible, or Strong Sensitizer.
Save green: Combine a 1:3 ratio of castile soap to baking soda to make a paste. Add a squirt of lemon juice for extra whitening power, or a bit of Tea Tree essential oil to help disinfect. Apply with a toilet brush.
Illustration by Courtney Kuhlman
Tuesday, January 31, 2012 at 10:00AM | Post a Comment References (73)
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