According to the US Poison Control Centers, “A child is accidentally poisoned every 30 seconds and more than 50% of all poisonings occur in the home with children under the age of 5.” But of course, you keep your cleaning supplies out of reach and only use baby products with your young children, so your family is safe, right? But what is really in all those products and what about the chemical residues that are left on your carpet, in your child’s pajamas, in the very air that your family breathes every day?
Because young children are smaller than adults, they are exposed to more pollutants per pound of body weight. Their tiny bodies and immune systems aren’t fully developed yet, and they’re at increased risk from the cumulative effect of chemicals found everywhere from air freshener to laundry detergent.
I’ve listed below some commonly found ingredients and why you never want them in your home again. Consider how many seemingly benign products, like deodorant and shower gel, contain these harmful ingredients. And remember, even though they may be in small amounts, you are putting them on your skin, in your hair, on your clothes, and in your air every day, year after year after year.
AMMONIA
Ammonia is fatal if swallowed. 80% of all manufactured ammonia is used as fertilizer. It is also used to make synthetic fibers, plastics, and explosives, and is added to many cleaning products, detergents, glass cleaners, stain removers, bleaches, floor stains, and waxes. Swallowing even small amounts of liquid ammonia in household cleaner can cause severe mouth and throat burns. If it comes into contact with the eyes, it can cause blindness. Ammonia is a corrosive substance that can burn the skin, eyes, respiratory tract, mouth, and digestive tract.
AMMONIUM HYDROXIDE
Ammonium hydroxide is a colorless liquid chemical solution that forms when ammonia dissolves in water. It can also release ammonia gas into the air.
It can be found in many industrial cleaners and products, such as floor strippers, brick cleaners, and cement. This chemical can cause shortness of breath, cough, severe pain or burning in the nose, eyes, ears, lips or tongue, esophagus, stomach or throat, loss of vision, severe abdominal pain, vomiting, severe change in pH (too much or too little acid in the blood, leading to damage to all organs in the body), holes in skin tissue, and other symptoms.
BENZENE
This carcinogenic chemical can be absorbed through the skin and irritates the mucous membranes. It is poisonous when ingested and inhalation of the vapors can be toxic. The EPA and OSHA cite it as a threat to public health. This chemical is found in oven cleaners, detergents, furniture polishes, stain removers, and nail polish removers.
Diseases associated with benzene include acute myelogenous leukemia (AML), non-Hodgkin lymphoma, chronic lymphocytic leukemia, myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS), myelofibrosis and myeloid metaplasia, aplastic anemia, acute lymphocytic leukemia (ALL), lymphocytic leukemia thromboma (ALL) , Thromboma Mitopocytic leukemia (ALL), Multiple mitopocytic leukemia purpura, Chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML), Hematological cancers.
CHLORINE
This widely used chemical is suspected of being a carcinogen and certainly a strong irritant, and is responsible for many poisonings each year. The Clean Air Act of 1990 lists it as a dangerous air pollutant … yet you inhale it every time you use it in your laundry products or tub and tile cleaners. And airborne waste stays on your toilet paper, paper napkins, and paper towels.
Household bleach, used to bleach fabrics or remove mold from surfaces, is a 5% solution of a stabilized form of chlorine. It is a strong corrosive that irritates or burns the skin, eyes, and respiratory tract. May cause pulmonary edema or vomiting and coma if swallowed. Never mix bleach with toilet bowl cleaners or ammonia. Fumes can be DEADLY!
FORMALDEHYDE
Formaldehyde is highly toxic and known to be a carcinogen. It is used in the manufacture of glues, and is also a preservative in deodorants, disinfectants, cosmetics, vaccines, and is used to embalm bodies. Formaldehyde is used in shampoo, conditioner, shower gel, liquid hand soap, and bubble bath. Children’s products like bubble bath and baby shampoo even contain formaldehyde! Some health effects of exposure to formaldehyde include irritation of the eyes, nose and throat … wheezing and coughing … fatigue, skin rash and severe allergic reactions. Formaldehyde is also used in sheets, mattresses, foams, plastics, and building materials for permanent press.
GLYCOL ETHER
Glycol Ether can cause skin, eye, nose, and throat irritation. It can also be dangerous for the reproductive system. This chemical can damage the kidneys, liver, and central nervous system. It is rapidly absorbed through the skin and is found in some household cleaners, paints, cosmetics, and perfumes.
Also known as butyl cellosolve (2-butoxy-1-ethanol, ethylene glycol monobutyl ether, butoxyethanol, and butyl oxytol).
HYDROCHLORIC ACID
Hydrochloric acid is corrosive and irritates the eyes and skin. It can dissolve and destroy sensitive tissues on direct contact. The eyes, nose and throat are easily irritated by the vapors. Contact can cause burning, permanent scarring, and even blindness. This chemical is found in aluminum cleaners and rust removers.
KEROSENE
Kerosene (mineral spirits) irritates the eyes and skin and can damage lung tissues. It is neurotoxic. Kerosene may contain the carcinogen benzene. It is found in all-purpose cleaners, furniture polishes, and waxes.
BLEACH
Sodium hydroxide (also known as bleach, caustic soda, and bleach) is an irritant to the eyes, skin, and respiratory tract. It can burn the eyes, skin, and internal organs. Bleach can cause lung damage, blindness, and be fatal if swallowed. It is found in household cleaners, oven cleaners, tub and tile cleaners, toilet bowl cleaners, and drain openers.
Morpholine
Morpholine is extremely toxic. It is irritating to the skin, eyes, and mucous membranes and can cause liver and kidney damage. Reacts with nitrites to form carcinogenic nitrosamines. It can also aggravate lung / bronchial disease or cause shortness of breath, burn skin, cause blindness, cause abdominal pain, diarrhea, nausea, and vomiting. This chemical is found in all-purpose cleaners, furniture polishes, and auto waxes.
Natalene
Naphthalene is irritating to the eyes and skin and can cause cataracts, corneal damage, and kidney damage. Suspected of being a carcinogen. This chemical is extremely toxic to young children and babies and can damage the blood of fetuses. This chemical is found in mothballs, air fresheners, deodorants, carpet cleaners, and toilet bowl cleaners.
ORGANIC SOLVENTS
Organic solvents (carbon disulfide, n-hexane, methyl n-butyl ketone, toluene trichlorethylene, perchlorethylene) are neurotoxins and central nervous system depressants. They are recognized as carcinogens. These chemicals are found in all-purpose cleaners, degreasers, metal brighteners, varnish and lacquer removers, dry cleaning solutions, paints and coatings, and adhesives.
Drinking water contaminated with perchlorethylene has implications for leukemia and birth defects. Prolonged overexposure can affect the nervous system. This chemical is found in stain removers, degreasers, and dry cleaning fluids.
PRODUCTS DERIVED FROM PETROLEUM
Petroleum products (benzene, xylene toluene, benzene, naphthalene, and Stoddard solvent) are potent eye, skin, and respiratory irritants and are known or suspected carcinogens. The neurotoxic effects can cause organic brain damage.
You are exposed to them in many common products, including heavy-duty cleaners, stain removers, furniture polish, car polish, lice shampoo, home and garden pesticides, flea control products, furniture polish and products. laundry. Don’t assume these products are safe just because they are not (yet) prohibited.
PHENOL
Phenol (alkyl phenoxy polyethoxy ethanol and nonyl phenoxy ethoxylate) is highly toxic and a suspected carcinogen. It can cause swelling, pimples, and hives. If ingested, it can cause circulatory collapse, seizures, cold sweats, coma, and death. This chemical is found in all-purpose cleaners, air fresheners, disinfectants, furniture polishes, and laundry detergents.
SODIUM BISULPHATE
This corrosive chemical is harmful to the eyes and skin, and internal tissues if ingested. It can cause asthma attacks. It is found in toilet bowl cleaners and deodorizers.
EDTA
Also known as ethylenediaminetetraacetic or diammonium, this chemical is found in laundry detergent and is a skin irritant. It also irritates the mucous membranes and causes allergies, asthma, and skin rashes. This chemical does not biodegrade. It binds to heavy metals in our lakes and streams, affecting our water supply.
Now that you have some information, read the labels before you buy. Look for labels that say the product does not contain phosphates (phosphates cause overgrowth in aquatic plants, leading to suffocation of fish and other forms of aquatic life). Phosphates are found in laundry detergents, dishwasher detergents, and all-purpose cleaners. Look for products that specifically state “phosphate-free,” “solvent-free,” “petroleum-free,” and so on. Better yet, look for products that contain only plant-based ingredients.
You can find healthy and natural alternatives, although it is not always easy. There are many great links on our Organic Eden website, shown below. Look for the Natural Home and Personal Care tabs at the top of the home page for information, tips, and links to all natural and safe products, where we’ve already done the research for you.
Be safe and healthy!
