3 Reasons to Stop Using Conventional Cleaners
Posted onAugust 8, 2013byThe Alternative Daily
Keeping your home clean is essential for the health of you and your family, but harsh chemicals are not a safe solution. There are a number of reasons that more and more people are switching to natural cleaners. The facts about conventional varieties are downright frightening.
1. We Don’t Really Know What’s In them
According to the National Research Council, “less than 20 percent of chemicals in everyday use have been tested for acute effects and less than 10 percent have been tested for chronic, reproductive or mutagenic effects.”
The Toxic Substances Control Act (TCSA) was passed by Congress about 30 years ago, however, the testing of chemical compounds is very limited. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has only tested about 200 of the 80,000 chemicals that are found in home products, including cleaners.
The National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) reports that about one third of substances used by the fragrance industry are toxic. Moreover, fragrance manufacturers do not have to list the ingredients that they use on labels, as they are considered ‘trade secrets.’ For this reason, be suspect of anything labeled ‘fragrance.’
2. They May Cause Harmful Side Effects
According to the American Lung Association, “household cleaning agents that contain potentially harmful substances that contribute to indoor air pollution are wide-reaching and diverse.” They also explain that household cleaners can cause nausea, dizziness, allergic reactions, eye and skin irritation and respiratory problems, and have even been linked to some cancers.
A number of studies, including research published by the Washington Toxics Coalition, states that many conventional cleaning products may irritate the lungs, burn the eyes and skin, worsen asthma symptoms or even cause death.
3. They are Especially Hazardous to Children
Statistics compiled by the American Association of Poison Control Centers have found that 1.25 million children under six are unintentionally poisoned every year by common household products.
Carpet, oven and other cleaners may contain toluene, chloride, formaldehyde, methylene, ethylene glycol, formaldehyde and nitrobenzene, and the volatile organic compounds (VOCs) found in these cleaners have been linked to asthma in children. Furthermore, a number of household cleaning products have been linked by some studies to leukemia in children.
According to theEuropean Respiratory Journal, pregnant women who use household cleaners may be putting their children at a higher risk of developing asthma. The Environmental Working Group has found 232 different industrial chemicals and pollutants in the umbilical cord blood of newborn babies.
Skip the Poisons – Go Green
Use the Strong Alkaline and or the Strong Acidic Kangen Water for all your cleaning needs.
Wonderful all purpose cleaner: 2 cups 11.5 water, 2 teaspoon 20 Mule Team all Natural Borax, ½ teaspoon Arm & Hammer Washing Soda and ½ teaspoon Dr. Bronner’s all Magic Soap.
If you clean your home naturally, you will enjoy the benefits of sparkling surfaces, and the peace of mind of knowing you and your family are safe.