Healthy cleaning product resources
WHAT YOU MAY NOT KNOW . . .
Ever wonder what’s really in your cleaners? You might be surprised to know.
Cleaners on the market today contain a number of chemicals that are harmful to human health and to the environment. For example, few people realize chlorine bleach is a federally regulated chemical that it is responsible for thousands of calls to the poison control center each year.
Other well-known products also contain 2-butoxy ethanol (a neurotoxin found in glass cleaners); nonylphenol ethoxylate (an endocrine disrupter found in all-purpose cleaners and air deodorizers); and ammonium hydroxide (found in bathroom and floor cleaners – causes severe burns to eyes and skin, and is an aquatic toxicant).
These toxic chemicals affect our respiratory system, our liver, and even our neurosystem. The EPA has designated indoor air quality among the top five health risks facing American’s today – largely because of the synthetic chemicals found in products like cleaners. Why? Because out of 75,000 products registered with the EPA, less than 2 percent have been tested for toxicity.
Following is a partial list of chemicals found in most “traditional” cleaners that pose health risks to you, your family, your employees, and to the environment.
• Isopropanol
• Triethanolamine [102-71-6]
• Nonylphenol ethoxylate
• Ethylene glycol monomethyl ether
• Monoethanolamine
• Diethylene glycol monobutyl ether
• Dibutyl pthalate
• Diethanolamine
• Isobutane
• 2-Butoxyethanol
WHAT YOU CAN DO . . .
Switching to naturally derived cleaning products is clearly the answer. While we at Sierra Natural Cleaners would love your business, should you decide to “shop around,” may we suggest you review the products carefully.
Unfortunately, with the current surge of interest in “anything green,” many companies have jumped on the bandwagon, claiming to be green and “environmentally friendly.” But they really aren’t. At this time there aren’t any regulations on green cleaners, so once again, consumers are left to fend for themselves. When shopping for a natural alternative, watch out for any of the toxic chemicals listed above! Because there aren’t any regulations, the consumer must be careful about what is really in even the “natural” products. For instance, some “green cleaners” still use nonylphenol ethoxylate, as this is not yet federally banned.