| Cleaning products are essential for killing germs and | | | | cause eye, nose, throat and lung irritation. Have you |
| keeping your home and work environment sanitary. | | | | ever wondered why your eyes water and throat |
| But what you may not realize is that traditional | | | | burns every time you open that bottle of bleach? |
| chemical-based cleaning products present a plethora | | | | People with Multiple Chemical Sensitivity Syndrome are |
| of health issues for the unaware consumer. | | | | particularly susceptible. |
| They usually contain chemicals which are known eye, | | | | 6. Fragrances - Again, if you suffer from asthma or |
| lung and skin irritants. Adults, children and babies with a | | | | allergies, fragrances may set you off, leading to an |
| pre-disposition to allergic reactions may react swiftly | | | | asthma attack, watery eyes, itchy throat, sneezing, |
| and severely to these toxic chemicals. | | | | wheezing and coughing. Chemical or artificial |
| Not only are these chemicals toxic to humans, they | | | | fragrances also contain VOC's. Natural fragrant |
| present an unacceptable pollution risk to our | | | | essential oils don't, but in people with MCS may also |
| environment as the chemicals are flushed down the | | | | have an unpleasant allergic effect. |
| toilet or rinsed down the drain. | | | | 7. Dyes, such as blue dye in toilet cleaners and yellow |
| Here is a summary of some of the most dangerous | | | | in toilet fragrances are only added to increase the |
| chemicals which you may find in your household | | | | aesthetic appeal of such products but are |
| cleaning products: | | | | environmental pollutants and best avoided. |
| 1. Sodium Lauryl/Laureth Sulphate (SLS and SLES) - | | | | 8. Non-Biodegradability - many cleaning products are |
| SLS is a synthetic chemical derived from coconut and | | | | slow to break down in the environment and are air or |
| is often marketed as a natural derivative. But this | | | | water pollutants. Endocrine disruptors such as |
| chemical derivation process is what gives SLS its | | | | alkylphenol ethoxylates are detergents which are not |
| deadly toxicity. It can be found in virtually every | | | | only slow to break down but disrupt the endocrine or |
| toothpaste, shampoo, cleaning agent and bubble bath | | | | hormone systems of marine and bird life as they enter |
| and is actually a very caustic detergent commonly | | | | the waterways after flushing or washing down the |
| found in industrial-strength cleaning products such as | | | | drain. |
| engine degreasers and industrial floor cleaners. SLS | | | | 9. Health and Safety Aspects - We've all heard horror |
| and SLES are skin irritants and cause dry, itchy scalp, | | | | stories of young toddlers ingesting Draino and caustic |
| dandruff and being a corrosive agent can corrode the | | | | Dishwasher powder. By using non-caustic natural |
| hair follicles leading to hair loss. It also penetrates and is | | | | powders and liquids, it might make your child sick if |
| stored in tissues and organs. It is a mutagen which | | | | ingested but will not burn or scald their delicate intestinal |
| damages the genetic information or DNA in the cells of | | | | tracts and leave them scarred for life. |
| the body causing the effected organ or tissue to | | | | Why is Eco the Way to Go? |
| produce mutated new cells. It is not surprising therefore | | | | Eco-friendly and chemical-free natural cleaning |
| that Dr Samuel Epstein places the blame for the rise | | | | products have obvious benefits to the user and |
| of cancer in our western world squarely on the | | | | environment - no pollution, greater biodegradability, less |
| shoulders of chemicals like SLS. Cancer is a mutative | | | | chance of allergic reaction. When purchasing these |
| disease - one only has to wonder about how mutative | | | | products, also pay attention to the packaging - Natural |
| chemicals like SLS cause or contribute to cancer. | | | | powders (being highly and quickly biodegradable) |
| 2. Aluminium - Found in the majority of deodorants. | | | | should come in a plastic inner bag inside a recycled |
| Studies have shown regular use is linked to an | | | | cardboard box. Make sure the cleaner, even though it |
| increased risk of developing Alzheimer's and other | | | | is non-toxic comes in a recycled plastic container with |
| Degenerative brain disorders. | | | | a safety lid to prevent children ingesting the contents. |
| 3. Skin Irritation - Some research has linked chemical | | | | Making the change from traditional supermarket |
| flouride to cancer and brain degeneration. | | | | cleaners to biodegradable, non-toxic alternatives can |
| 4. Mineral oil - Mineral oil is found in body lotions and | | | | dramatically reduce the chemical and personal impact |
| sorbolene creams and is manufactured from crude oil. | | | | of these products without sacrificing cleaning |
| It is used as a barrier cream but only does this | | | | effectiveness. In fact , many of these cleaners, while |
| successfully because it clogs and dehydrates the skin | | | | initially costing a little more, may last a lot longer as |
| so you are left with the illusion of skin that is smooth | | | | many of them are concentrated and devoid of |
| and supple but is unable to breathe. Skin is a living | | | | unnecessary useless chemical 'fillers' which bulk the |
| respiratory, eliminative organ and if it is clogged will not | | | | product but are ineffective cleaning agents. |
| perform its physiological function leading to increasing | | | | We need to start considering our children's future - |
| toxicity of the underlying tissues and organs. | | | | time is running out and if we don't take steps to |
| 5. Air Pollutants - many of these cleaning products | | | | reduce our environmental footprint on the earth, our |
| contain VOC's (Volatile Organic Compounds) which | | | | children will pay the price! |