How toxic is your clean home?
Have you considered what cleaning products you use in your home and the potential effect they may be having on your health and of others you live with. Any chemical that you come in contact with has an effect on you. Whether that be the cleaning products you use in the kitchen, bathroom or around the house, a fragrance you smell, soap you use on your body or even non organic essential oils. Chemicals are everywhere and whilst we cannot completely eliminate our exposure to them, we can limit them and control what we come in contact with in our homes.
It is said that the average household in America has 62 chemicals in it! But what are some of those chemicals and what are the effects. Ingredients in cleaning products, house air fresheners, non organic essential oils, detergents, fabric softeners, soaps and oven cleaners, just too mention a few, have some side effects that you may not be aware of. As we have said before at Gut Happy, we are all about the whole approach to health and well being and knowledge is power, so let’s take a look at some ingredients that you might be unknowingly using in your home, that may have some negative effects.
Phthalates
Products: can be found in fragranced household products, like dish soap, air fresheners, cleaning detergent, or even toilet paper. “Fragrance” on the label would indicate there is a high probability phthalates are present.
Health Risks: Many phthalates are hormone-disrupting chemicals that interfere with the production of the testosterone, the male sex hormone, which is necessary for proper development and function of the male reproductive organs. Early exposure can interfere with testosterone activity and can have irreversible effects on male reproduction. Phthalate exposures in humans has been linked to changes in sex hormone levels, altered development of genitals, and low sperm count and quality. Phthalates have also been linked with reduced female fertility, obesity, preterm birth and low birthweight, a worsening of allergy and asthma symptoms, and altered toddler behaviour.
Healthier Options: Choose fragrance-free or all natural organic products. Aerosol or plug-in air fresheners can be triggering to asthma or migraines so best to avoided. Choose natural air fresheners that use plant hydrosols.
2. Triclosan
Products: found in many liquid dishwashing detergents and “antibacterial” hand soap.
Health Risks: Triclosan is an antibacterial agent that can promote the growth of drug-resistant bacteria. Triclosan and its close chemical relative triclocarban, are present in 60% of America's streams and rivers,” according to environmental scientist Rolf Halden, co-founder of the Center for Water and Health at Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health. Triclosan is toxic to algae and is disruptive to river’s ecosystem.
Healthier Options: In our current Covid world it is hard to avoid but if you can choose alternatives to antibacterial products and choose soap (without “fragrance” on the label) to wash your hands when possible. A humble bar of soap and thorough hand washing is very at killing viruses. If choosing a hand sanitizer choose an alcohol-based product and make sure triclosan isn’t an ingredient.
3. Perchloroethylene or “PERC”
Products: found in carpet and upholstery cleaners, dry-cleaning solutions and spot removers.
Health Risks: Perc is a known neurotoxin. Acute exposure to PERC is linked to dizziness, blurred vision, and loss of coordination according to The U.S. Occupational Safety and Human Safety agency. Long-term exposure can even trigger mild memory loss. In the 1970’s studies were conducted that suggest PERC, as it is commonly called, was a carcinogen. Exposure to PERC is typically through inhalation upon picking up clothes from the dry cleaner or the fumes that linger after carpet cleaning. If you do have clothes that are dry cleaned remove plastic sleeve and let them air outside to rid them of residue before hanging them in your wardrobe.
Healthier Options: For dry cleaning choose a “wet cleaner,” that uses water-based technology rather than chemical solvents. Because wet cleaning is free of volatile organic compounds, or VOCs, it eliminates health and safety risks. When you have your carpets cleaned choose a company that uses non-toxic cleaning products. Alternatively try to spot clean carpet or as a stain remover on clothes.
4. 2-Butoxyethanol
Products: Multipurpose, window and kitchen cleaners.
Health Risks: 2-Butoxyethanol is a carcinogen that can enter your body through your lungs, or your skin if it comes in contact with products containing the chemical. Breathing the fumes can irritate the nose and throat and exposure can cause nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea and abdominal pain. A colourless liquid that can harm the eyes, skin, kidneys and blood. Common abbreviations for 2-butoxyethanol include BE and EGBE.
Healthier Options: Diluted vinegar and unbleached paper towel is effective at cleaning mirrors and windows. Try cleaning mirrors, windows and almost all surfaces with a microfiber cloth.
5. Quarternary Ammonium Compounds, or “QUATS”
Products: disinfectant household cleaners labeled “antibacterial,” and fabric softener liquids and sheets.
Health Risks: Like the previously mentioned triclosan, quats are another type of antimicrobial that can lead to antibiotic-resistant bacteria. Quats are a type of chemical that is used to kill viruses, bacteria and mold. Breathing in quats can trigger asthma symptoms and other upper respiratory tract irritations as well as irritate the nose and throat.
Healthier Options: fill a spray bottle with 1 cup distilled white vinegar and 1 1/2 teaspoons tea tree essential oil (a natural anti-microbial). Shake well and spray 10 to 15 times on your wet clothes before starting the dryer.
6. Chlorine
Products: Toilet bowl cleaners, mildew removers, laundry whiteners, and scouring powders.
Health Risks: According to the CDC symptoms of chlorine exposure include: blurred vision, burning pain, redness and blisters on the skin, burning in the nose, throat and eyes, coughing, chest tightness, difficulty breathing, fluid in the lungs, nausea, vomiting, watery eyes and wheezing. The International Journal of Molecular Sciences lists chlorine as a thyroid disrupting chemical.
Healthier Options: Toilets can be cleaned by sprinkling baking soda or powder and then spraying with vinegar . To whiten your laundry baking soda, vinegar, borax, lemon juice and hydrogen peroxide are all natural whiteners.
7. Sodium Hydroxide
Products: Drain openers and oven cleaners.
Health Risks: Also known as lye, sodium hydroxide is extremely corrosive. The CDC states, “It can cause irritation to the eyes, skin, and mucous membrane; an allergic reaction; eye and skin burns; and temporary loss of hair.”
Healthier Options: Make a paste with baking soda, it will clean the grimiest of ovens; although you may need to apply a bit more time and effort. To unclog a drain use a plumber’s snake or follow a baking soda and vinegar solution.
8. Ammonia
Products: Glass cleaner and the polishing agents for bathroom sinks, fixtures and jewelry.
Health Risks: Ammonia evaporates and doesn’t leave streaks making it ideal for window cleaning but that crystal clear view comes with a very toxic price. Ammonia is a colorless, corrosive, alkaline gas that has a very pungent odour. As stated in a paper in the NCBI, “high concentrations of ammonia caused severe damage to the respiratory tract, particularly in the tracheobronchial and pulmonary regions”
Healthier Options: Raid your home bar, spray vodka directly onto glass and wipe for a streak-free shine. There are great microfibre cloths such as Norwex that offer non toxic alternatives and work effectively to clean without all the nasty’s.
We are not on a scaremongering campaign, but rather using the knowledge that we have gained over time to further educate ourselves about a safer, less toxic environments for us and our families. We want healthy homes for us and our families and we want this for you too.
Stay Gut Happy
The Gut Happy Girls
xxx