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According to a 15-year study presented at the Toronto Indoor Air Conference, women working from home have a 54% higher death rate from cancer than those who work outside the home. The study found that this was a direct result of increased exposure to toxic chemicals, many of which are found in common household products. Of the 75,000 chemicals registered, only a fraction has been tested for human health. Moreover, more than 9 out of 10 suspected poison exposures occur in a home with household products.
We believe that your home should be the safest place in the world.
Here are some of the harmful and toxic chemicals lurking under the sink and in the laundry room. All-round cleaners: Many popular household cleaners, such as Fantastik and Formula 409, contain a synthetic solvent and a spreading knife called butyl cellosolve. This dangerous petroleum-based chemical contains neurotoxins and can irritate the skin and eyes. In addition, repeated exposure to it can cause permanent damage to the liver and kidneys and impair the body’s ability to replenish its blood supply. Many universal cleaners can also contain synthetic solvents that can cause hormonal disruptions. Since butyl cellosolve are neurotoxins and nose irritants, another toxin, morpholine, can cause liver or kidney damage.
Bathroom cleaners: Traditional cleaners such as Ajax and Comet contain crystalline silica, which is irritating to the eyes, skin, and lungs, classified by the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences as “reasonably predicted as a human carcinogen.”
Some bath, tile, and sink cleaners may contain chlorine and may contribute to the formation of organochlorine, a dangerous class of compounds that can disrupt the reproductive, endocrine, and immune systems. Some may also contain phosphoric acid, which in high concentrations is corrosive and irritates the eyes, skin and respiratory tract.
Window cleaners: Window cleaning sprays such as Windex and Glass Plus contain ammonia, a suffocating gas that irritates the eyes and respiratory tract. Many of them, such as Windex and Glass Plus, contain butyl cellosolve, a neurotoxin that is easily absorbed through the skin.
Laundry Detergent: Most known powders, such as Tide, All, Gain & Dash, contain caustic substances that can burn your eyes and skin. Other chemicals include sodium bisulfate (a corrosive which can cause severe irritation to the eyes, skin and respiratory tract), ethoxylated alcohols (which may contain 1,4-dioxane and “reasonably predicted to be a human carcinogen”).
Many washing powders also contain irritants that can be absorbed through the skin or inhaled, which are a common cause of allergic reactions. Triethanolamine dodecylbenzene sulfonate is such an irritant and is on the EPA and DOT list of hazardous substances. Contact can irritate and burn the skin and eyes, breathing can irritate the nose, throat and lungs causing coughing, wheezing and / or shortness of breath. Repeated skin contact may cause dryness, itching, chronic irritation and rash.
Automatic Dishwashing Detergent: Two of the best-selling automatic dishwashing detergent brands, Cascade and Sun Light, contain phosphates and chlorine, two extremely toxic chemicals. Chlorine vapors are released in the vapor that leaks from the dishwasher and is severely irritating to the eyes, throat and respiratory tract. Breathing them in can cause headaches, burning eyes, and difficulty breathing. Released phosphates into the environment deprive lakes and ponds of oxygen, leading to the suffocation of plants and aquatic animals and the formation of algae.
So, if you want a safe, non-toxic home, look for natural alternatives that are just as effective as their toxic counterparts.
Copyright (c) 2008 Shelby Steinborn
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Source by Shelby Steinborn