Eco-friendly Cleaning


Eco-friendly CleaningWith an increase in allergies and asthma and increasing environmental damage occurring throughout the developed world, some questions are being asked of the chemicals we encounter in the products we use daily.

Whether or not you agree with the potential concerns being raised about modern chemical cleaning products, it is always worth finding out what the products you use contain. Some chemical ingredients have not been tested for toxicity on humans, but have proved potentially harmful to animals. Below are some of the chemicals used in average household cleaning products and their possible hazardous effects.

Ammonia

Ammonia is largely used in agriculture as fertilizer, but is also included in household and industrial cleaning products. You can also create your own home cleaning solution with ammonia. Household products contain around 5-10% ammonia, while industrial products have 25% or more and are corrosive in nature. Exposure to ammonia usually comes from the inhalation of the gas vapours.

Inhalation of low levels of ammonia can cause coughing, nose and throat irritation. Although you can smell ammonia as an early warning, another effect of ammonia is that is weakens you olfactory senses and will thus reduce your awareness. On the skin or in the eye, low ammonia levels can cause irritation.

Ammonia should never be mixed with chlorine bleach as it releases poisonous gas - chlorine gas.

Triclosan

Found in cleaning products and other household goods, is an antibacterial agent that has recently been suspected of being harmful to human health. Several major British retailers have made statements to say that they hope to phase it out of their available products.

Research has indicated that triclosan kills friendly bacteria as well as the bad, and can trigger anti-biotic resistant strains of bacteria.

Perchlorethylene

Some carpet and upholstery shampoos contain perchlorethylene which is a carcinogen against animals, and is claimed to be bad for the liver, kidneys, and nervous system.

Chlorine

Now used in bleach, chlorine was initially used as a poison gas in the First World War. It has been argued that consistent low level exposure weakens the lungs, creating an increased risk of developing lung disorders. It is also held however that low level exposure is safe, particularly as chlorine is present as a disinfectant in water. Chlorine can become a danger when mixed with ammonia, urine, or other cleaning products that could contain ammonia as it produces toxic fumes consisting of chlorine gas, chloramine and nitrogen trichloride.

Nitrobenzene

This can be found in some furniture and floor polishes, although on its own it is a very poisonous chemical. It was once used as a way to cheaply perfume soap and other cosmetics, but it is now classed as too toxic for this purpose.

Small amounts of nitrobenzene can cause minor irritation in direct contact with the skin or eyes. Regular exposure to high concentration can cause methemoglobinemia; meaning a reduction of the blood's ability to carry oxygen. While no research has been undertaken on humans, breathing high concentration nitrobenzene causes an increase in the instance of tumours in animals.

Formaldehyde

Formaldehyde kills most types of bacteria, and so can be used as a disinfectant solution in mold and mildew removers as well as dishwashing liquid. Small amounts present in many home objects generally seem to cause little problem. Higher doses affect the mucous membranes, with some people developing sensitivity and triggering asthma attacks. A high level of exposure to formaldehyde is believed by some scientists to be cancerous.

Phosphates

Phosphate minerals are used in laundry and dishwashing detergents as a water softener. Unfortunately, phosphates are also fertilizers. This means that when your cleaning products are washed away the phosphates dissipate into rivers and other water sources. As a fertilizer, they cause rapid algae growth, destabilising and polluting the natural ecology of the water.

Due to modern concerns regarding the chemical content of our products and consequently our air and water quality, it is now possible to buy environmentally friendly cleaning products without certain chemicals, although they are generally more expensive.

It is also possible to create home cleaning solution out of a few home ingredients:

Baking soda, lemon juice and vinegar can be mixed together to make cleaning pastes.