372 Cleaning Product Ingredients [6 June 2016]

Manufacturers of cleaning products warn consumers of risks of acute exposure to their products with hazard signs like “corrosive” or “poison”. But they are not required to inform us about the health hazards of long term exposure to the ingredients in their products (davidsuzuki.org). They are not even required to list all the ingredients! When we use the products, we breathe in the fumes and absorb the chemicals through our skin. So it’s up to each of us to learn about these ingredients and their risks and to avoid them wherever possible.

Here are some of the ingredients we should try to avoid:
• Ammonia is often used in glass cleaners. It has very irritating fumes which can harm the respiratory tract.
• Chlorine bleach fumes are very irritating to the eyes and respiratory tract and produces a very poisonous gas when mixed with ammonia.
• Synthetic dyes add color but do nothing for the cleaning action. Dyes are possible carcinogens and may contain toxic metals.
• Synthetic fragrances, which include phthalates, can be irritants, trigger allergies, interfere with hormones, and are harmful to the environment. They abound in air fresheners but can be found in almost any cleaning product.
• Volatile Organic Compounds (solvents like benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene and formaldehyde) are toxic and increase cancer risk.
• Sulfuric Acid commonly found in toilet bowl cleaners is extremely corrosive
• Sulfates, including sodium laurel sulfate (SLS) and sodium laureth sulfate (SLES), are foaming agents found in shampoos and some cleaning products and are known irritants and suspected carcinogens.

Why store and use poisons in your home when there are safe natural products that work well and may cost less? Ask me about my new line of natural cleaning products for bathroom, kitchen & laundry using safe natural ingredients and scented with essential oils. They are super concentrated so can even save you money. And they are not tested on animals!

A good source for more information is davidsuzuki.org and healthyenvironmentforkids.ca.

For more information on this or other natural health topics, stop in and talk to Stan; for medical advice consult your licensed health practitioner.