Things You Really Don’t Need In A Cleaner

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VOC (Volatile Organic Compounds) and Petroleum-based Solvents AKA Benzene, Toluene, Xylene, Trichloroethane, Nonylphenol ethoxyalate, Phenolic Compounds, Glycol Ethers and Isopropyl Alcohol: The “organic” in VOC’s just refers to their petroleum origins. Nothing else organic about these guys. Found in all-purpose cleaners, degreasers and metal polishers, these solvents release vapors into the air, and contribute to increased levels of ground level ozone and smog. The fumes can cause intoxication, drowsiness, disorientation and headaches. Long-term exposure can damage the nervous system and may be carcinogenic. Some of the vapors can be flammable. Did we mention that they’re also neurotoxins and nervous system depressants? That is depressing.

v    Chlorine Bleach, AKA Sodium Hypochlorite: This is the household chemical most frequently involved in household poisonings in the U.S. An acutely toxic chemical, its manufacture alone creates a host of extremely toxic byproducts. In addition to its direct toxic effects on living organisms, chlorine also reacts with organic materials in the environment to create other extremely hazardous and carcinogenic toxins like THM’s think chloroform and organochlorines, an extremely dangerous class of compounds that are known to cause reproductive, endocrine and immune system disorders. The most well known organochlorine is dioxin. Oh, and it damages fabrics too. Ick.

v    Ammonia: If you’ve ever cleaned a window with it, you know it’s an irritant that affects the skin, eyes and respiratory passages. And let’s not forget the nausea, coughing and hyperventilation. But did you know that ammonia also adds excess nitrogen to the environment, reducing the ability of plants, fish and animals to take in oxygen? Excessive nitrogen levels in the soil can also “burn” plants. In areas that can’t handle the extra nitrogen, disruptions to the ecosystem result. The EPA is so taken with it that they’ve added it as a toxic chemical on their Community Right To Know List and has set limits on permissible levels in bodies of water. OSHA and the FDA also regulate its usage. We think it streaks glass something awful.

v    Butyl Cellosolve, AKA butoxyethanol, butyl oxitol, ethylene glycol monobutyl ether: This charming little solvent and grease-cutter found in spray cleaners, all-purpose cleaners and abrasive cleaners is also a neurotoxin and can irritate the mucous membranes and cause liver and kidney damage. We’re getting nervous just thinking about it . . .

v    EDTA, AKA ethylene-diamino-tetra-acetate: A class of synthetic, phosphate-alternative compounds used to reduce calcium and magnesium hardness in water, and as a foaming stabilizer. It doesn’t readily biodegrade and has the added attraction that, once introduced into the general environment, can re-dissolve toxic heavy metals trapped in underwater sediments, allowing them re-enter and re-circulate throughout the food chain. Oh joy.

v    Formaldehyde: Okay, while it’s not common as a primary ingredient, it is present as a contaminant or byproduct in consumer household products that contain things like inidazolidinyl urea and dmdm hydantoin used as preservatives. It is an extremely potent carcinogen and respiratory irritant. Hmmm. Look for it in cosmetics, deodorizers, disinfectants, hand cleaners, dishwashing soaps, germicides, adhesives, permanent press fabrics and particleboard at a store near you. Then don’t buy the product.

v    Germicides: You’ll find these in spray disinfectants, disinfecting cleaners, disinfecting hand soaps and lotions if you see ingredients with names like benzalkonium chloride in a product. What’s really notable about these new and “improved” disinfectants is that they’ve managed to cause new strains of bacteria to emerge that are completely resistant to them. This is progress?

v    Fragrance: The actual ingredients of most fragrances are a real mystery. According to Home Safe Home, “fragrance on a label can indicate the presence of up to 4,000 separate ingredients. Most or all of them are synthetic. Symptoms reported to the FDA have included headaches, dizziness, rashes, skin discoloration, violent coughing, vomiting and allergic skin irritation.” And that’s just on the first date. “Clinical observation by medical doctors have shown that exposure to fragrances can affect the central nervous system, causing depression, hyperactivity, irritability, inability to cope and other behavioral changes…” Is it just us, or does something smell wrong here?

v    DEA, MEA, TEA AKA diethanolamine, momoethanolamine, treithanolamine: These jokers can be found linked to otherwise benign and even natural plant ingredients such as laurel and cocoa. Unfortunately, petrol-science can’t leave well enough alone so they introduced these substances as detergents and neutralizers concocting bizarre hybrids like cocamide dea and lauramide dea, etc. They’re also known as “hormone disrupting chemicals” and form cancer causing nitrates and nitrosamines. These are usually found in products like soap, body washes, facial cleansers and bubble baths. These toxics are readily absorbed in the skin, and according to Dr. Samuel Epstein, Professor of Environmental Health at the University of Illinois, “repeated skin applications of DEA based detergents resulted in a major increase of two types of cancers liver and kidney cancers.” Tiny bubbles make BIG troubles.

v    PG and PEG, AKA Polyethylene Glycol and Propylene Glycol: Both are present as surfactants and detergents in commonly used cleaning products, hair products, lotions, after-shave, deodorants, mouthwashes, toothpaste and food processing. They’re also used in anti-freeze. They’re used because of their characteristic ability to break down animal proteins, things like hair, skin, gums, what have you. The EPA requires protective clothing, gloves and goggles when handled by workers, and the MSDS (Material Safety Data Sheets) warn against skin contact as they have systemic consequences including brain, liver and kidney abnormalities. Some stick deodorants have greater than industrial concentrations. Hey, if it’s good for your car, it has to be good for you, right?

v    SLS and SLES, AKA Sodium Lauryl Sulfate and Sodium Laureth Sulfate: Found in many detergents and surfactants used in car wash soaps, garage floor cleaners and engine degreasers, these nasty little items are also found in everything from toothpaste to cosmetics and nearly 90% (!) of shampoos as well. Mark Fearer, author of Dangerous Beauty says, ”…in tests, animals that were exposed to SLS experienced eye damage along with depression, labored breathing, diarrhea, severe skin irritation, corrosion and death.” An American College of Toxicology report indicated that both SLS and SLES can cause malformation in children’s eyes. Other research has noted that SLS may be damaging to the immune system, especially within the skin. Skin layers can separate and become inflamed due to its unique protein denaturing properties. SLS is considered to be possibly the most dangerous of all ingredients in personal care products. Research has shown that SLS, when combined with other chemicals, can be transformed into nitrosamines, a potent class of carcinogens, which cause the body to absorb nitrates at higher levels than eating nitrate contaminated food. SLS remains in the body for up to five days, and other studies have shown that SLS easily penetrates through the skin and maintains residual levels in the heart, liver lungs and brain. Rinse real good, okay?