You've thoroughly cleaned your house. It looks better, smells better and makes you feel better - you've created a cleaner, more sanitary, healthier environment for you and your family, right? Maybe not. Your doctor at Nova Spinal Care wants patients to understand that, depending on what cleaning products you use, you could be doing more harm than good. Read on to learn more about the hazards lurking in your cleaning supplies and information that the doctors have gathered on natural alternatives , including recipes for some homemade cleaners!
Unhealthy Cleaning
The majority of today's mainstream cleaning supplies contain dangerous chemicals, including ammonia, chlorine bleach, glycol ethers and alkylphenol ethoxylates (APEs).
Exposure to these chemicals has been linked to both immediate health concerns (such as respiratory irritation) and long term health effects (such as asthma and cancer). The following is a sampling of the most recent research into the health effects of exposure to cleaning chemicals.
Asthma Association
Numerous studies have linked bleach containing cleaning products with asthma. One recent study concluded: "Asthma symptoms in domestic cleaning women are associated with exposure to bleach and possibly other irritant agents. The public health impact of the use of irritant cleaning products could be widespread since the use of these products is common both in the workplace at the home." (Occup Environ Med 2005;62:598-606).
And this link has now been established in nonprofessional cleaners as well. A 2007 study investigated the "respiratory effects of nonprofessional home cleaning" and found that: "The use of c leaning sprays at least weekly... was associated with the incidence of asthma symptoms or medication and wheeze. The incidence of physician-diagnosed asthma was higher among those using sprays at least 4 days per week." The study concludes: "Frequent use of a common household cleaning sprays may be an important risk factor for adult asthma." (Am J Respir Crit Care Med 2007;15;176:735-41).
And unfortunately, the risk is not confined to those doing the cleaning. Recent studies have found that a mother's use of cleaning products during pregnancy ups the risk of wheezing and lung function abnormalities in children (Eur Respir J 2008;31:547-54).
Cancer Connection
State epidemiologists from Oregon recently made a startling report to the Federal Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry in Atlanta. "Former workers at the View Master plant in Beaverton, Oregon, died of pancreatic cancer twice as frequently as the general population and of kidney cancer three times as often." (Medical Letter on the CDC & FDA 2003).
The suspected cause? Water from a well contaminated with high levels of trichloroethylene (TCE), a commercial degreaser allegedly dumped on the ground near the plant.
A 2007 study also established a link between TCE exposure and prostate cancer (Am J Ind Med 2007;50:383-90).
In addition, a greater-than-normal risk of bladder cancer was recently linked to housekeepers, launderers, dry cleaners and butlers - all of whom use cleaning supplies on a regular basis (J Occup Environ Med 2002;44:685).
Reproductive Repercussions
Animals studies have linked glycol ethers, solvents commonly found in glass cleaners and all-purpose spray cleaners, to reduced fertility and low birth weight (Gynecl Obstet Fertil 2006;34:955-63).
Combination Concerns
The simultaneous use of multiple cleansers - particularly bleaching formulas - is extremely dangerous. This deadly mix generates invisible clouds of toxic fumes, particularly in poorly ventilated areas.
According to one scientific study, the inhaled gases cause "respiratory tract irritation with cough, labored breathing and sometimes pulmonary edema. Headache, vertigo, cyanosis and hypotension are common and additional criteria for hospitalization." (J Toxicology: Clin Toxicology 2002;40:355).
Environmental Effects
In addition to raising severe health issues, many of today's commercial cleaning products pose hazards to the environment.
Everything that flows down the drain or into a landfill eventually ends up in the water supply. This is particularly true for people who rely on wells, as opposed to municipal water supplies.
The Tide Is Turning
Fortunately, consumer demand for safer cleaning alternatives has led to a slew of new, safer, natural products. Even the Clorox Company introduced a new line of "green" products - Green Works.
Additional manufacturers of alternative cleaning products include Trader Joe's, Seventh Generation, Earth Friendly Products, Global Balance Products and Moon Works. For an extensive list of manufacturers of all-natural cleaning products, see Natural Geographic's Green Guide at www.thegreenguide.com.
Beware of the "Go Green" Bandwagon
Keep in mind that "all natural," "green" products mean big bucks for manufacturers, which means they'll fight to get those words on their labels.
And labeling in the cleaning products industry is highly unregulated, including the use of terms like "green," "natural" and "nontoxic." Manufacturers are also not required to list all of their ingredients. So even if the label claims that all ingredients are disclosed, there's no guarantee.
Manufacturers are, however, required to list health warnings. SO if a label says "Danger," "Poison" or "Warning" - that's a clue that harmful ingredients are included. Also look for specific terms like "no solvents," "no phosphates" or "plant-based," which are more meaningful than non-specific terms like "natural" or "ecologically friendly."
Safety First
Just because a cleaning product features natural ingredients doesn't mean it's nontoxic or non-irritating. Always use gloves and hospital masks while cleaning. Keep all cleaning supplies out of the reach of children, and make sure everyone in your household knows where to find the poison control center phone number.
No Substitute for Homemade
Avoid all the worries about toxic chemicals by making your own cleaning solutions! A few simple ingredients and a little elbow grease will take care of most of your cleaning needs. For green cleaning recipes, see Consumer Reports' Greener Choices site at www.greenerchoices.org or Greenpeace's site at www.greenpeace.org.
Make Your Own Mirror and Glass Cleaner
1/2 cup white vinegar
1/2 cup rosemary tea
5-6 drops rosemary essential oil
Make Your Own All-Purpose Surface Scrub
1/2 cup baking soda
1/4 cup dried and crushed lemon balm leaves
1/4 cup dried and crushed lavender leaves
1 teaspoon cream of tartar
5 drops lavender essential oil
Make Your Own Air Freshener (in a spray bottle)
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon vinegar (or lemon juice)
2 cups hot water
The Tide Is Turning
Fortunately, consumer demand for safer cleaning alternatives has led to a slew of new, safer, natural products. Even the Clorox Company introduced a new line of "green" products - Green Works.
Additional manufacturers of alternative cleaning products include Trader Joe's, Seventh Generation, Earth Friendly Products, Global Balance Products and Moon Works. For an extensive list of manufacturers of all-natural cleaning products, see Natural Geographic's Green Guide at www.thegreenguide.com.
Beware of the "Go Green" Bandwagon
Keep in mind that "all natural," "green" products mean big bucks for manufacturers, which means they'll fight to get those words on their labels.
And labeling in the cleaning products industry is highly unregulated, including the use of terms like "green," "natural" and "nontoxic." Manufacturers are also not required to list all of their ingredients. So even if the label claims that all ingredients are disclosed, there's no guarantee.
Manufacturers are, however, required to list health warnings. SO if a label says "Danger," "Poison" or "Warning" - that's a clue that harmful ingredients are included. Also look for specific terms like "no solvents," "no phosphates" or "plant-based," which are more meaningful than non-specific terms like "natural" or "ecologically friendly."
Safety First
Just because a cleaning product features natural ingredients doesn't mean it's nontoxic or non-irritating. Always use gloves and hospital masks while cleaning. Keep all cleaning supplies out of the reach of children, and make sure everyone in your household knows where to find the poison control center phone number.
No Substitute for Homemade
Avoid all the worries about toxic chemicals by making your own cleaning solutions! A few simple ingredients and a little elbow grease will take care of most of your cleaning needs. For green cleaning recipes, see Consumer Reports' Greener Choices site at www.greenerchoices.org or Greenpeace's site at www.greenpeace.org.
Make Your Own Mirror and Glass Cleaner
1/2 cup white vinegar
1/2 cup rosemary tea
5-6 drops rosemary essential oil
Make Your Own All-Purpose Surface Scrub
1/2 cup baking soda
1/4 cup dried and crushed lemon balm leaves
1/4 cup dried and crushed lavender leaves
1 teaspoon cream of tartar
5 drops lavender essential oil
Make Your Own Air Freshener (in a spray bottle)
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon vinegar (or lemon juice)
2 cups hot water
