by Melanie Whalley

If you are like me, you would also assume that if a product was on the market, it must be safe. The terms "household toxins" and "indoor air pollution" have came to light over the past decade as the medical and scientific communities have begun recognizing that common household chemicals can have an adverse effect on our health. Actually there are common consumer products that we use every day that are filled with toxic chemicals. Many of these products require special handling if they are used in a chemical laboratory or in the workplace. Yet we still use these same chemicals at home with no safety gear or proper ventilation.

FACTS

92% of all poison exposures occur in the home and involve everyday household items such as medicines, cleaning supplies, cosmetics and personal care items.
Every 13 seconds a family calls a poison control center regarding exposure to poison at home.

In 1989, 2 983 chemicals used in the home were analyzed by the National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health. These were the findings;

884 were found to be toxic, of these 778 can cause acute toxicity, 146 can cause tumors, 218 can cause reproductive complications, 314 can cause biological mutation, and 376 can cause skin and eye irritation.

THE PROCESS OF TOXICITY AND EFFECTS

Most indoor air pollution can be attributed to toxic vapors released by household cleaning products not only whilst they are in use but also in some whilst they are being stored. Next time you are walking down the cleaning aisle of the supermarket, notice how strongly it smells of toxic chemicals, even though they are tightly sealed!

There are three ways chemicals can enter your body: by swallowing, by breathing, or by contact with your skin or eyes. The majority of poisoning happens over a long period of time by gradual skin absorption or daily exposure to toxins we breathe in the air. Doctors now understand that toxins gradually build up in our bodies over time.

It was only recently that scientists have discovered that toxic chemicals can lodge in our endocrine system contributing to thyroid problems, diabetes, weight gain and infertility. People who are already ill, the elderly, children and fetuses are the most vulnerable to toxicity, however this does not mean other people won't suffer from toxicity.

Using common household cleaning products that are toxic can increase your risk of : cancer, birth defects, genetic changes, heart disease, allergies, infertility, fatigue, migraines and headaches are just to name a few.

It is time we all searched for alternative cleaning products made with natural ingredients either from a specialized manufacturer or make our own products from baking soda, eucalyptus oil, white vinegar, tea tree oil etc.

Sources:
Debra Lynn Dadd, "Please protect yourself from household toxics", RM Barry, 2005.
American Association of Poison Control Centers.
Nancy Sokol Green, "Poisoning Our Children", The Noble Press, 1991.
Exposure of Homemakers to Toxic Contaminants, Toronto Indoor Air Commission, 1990.

Hundreds of chemicals, possibly even thousands of them, are capable of causing cancer to occur in test animals and humans alike. Cancer seldom eventuates from one acute exposure but after prolonged low level exposure or exposure over shorter periods to higher levels.

There are many well known and documented examples of chemicals that actually cause cancer in humans. For example the fumes of the metals cadmium, nickel, and chromium will cause lung cancer. Sarcomas are known to be caused by vinyl chloride, whilst the exposure to arsenic substantially increases the risk of skin and lung cancer. Chemically induced changes in bone marrow by toxic chemicals such as benzene and cyclophosphamide and other toxic chemicals result in leukemia. Scientific organizations funded by governments consider benzo[a]pyrene and ethylene dibromide to be carcinogenic to humans as they are potent carcinogens in test animals.

The sad fact of the matter is that cancer induced by chemicals takes many years to establish and may not become apparent until long after the chronic low level exposure has stopped, as may be the case with an infant crawling on surfaces which have been cleaned with toxic chemicals used by an an unaware mother.

A good example of the latency period involved with one particularly bad carcinogen is the length of time it takes for lung cancer to develop after acute or chronic exposure to asbestos or to the more well known example of cigarette smoke. A latency period of as much as thirty years is common for many of today's known carcinogens.

However, what about the chemical industry's massive introduction of new chemicals every year. How many of these 1000 plus new chemicals introduced every year are going to prove to be killers in the long term?

NO ONE can answer that question! We just have to wait and see! Some experts are predicting at the current rate of increase, cancer will strike almost 100% of the "developed" world's population within 50 years!

Aerosol products- Aerosol propellants  may contain propane, formaldehyde, a carcinogen, neurotoxin and central nervous system depressant, methylene chloride, a carcinogen,  neurotoxin and reproductive toxin, and nitrous oxide . Products applied with aeresol sprays are broken into minute particles, which can be more deeply inhaled than larger particles, which may increase their toxic effect.

Ammonia - Undiluted, ammonia is a severe eye and respiratory irritant that can cause severe burning pain, and corrosive damage including chemical burns, cataracts and corneal damage.  It can also cause kidney and liver damage. Repeated or prolonged exposure to vapours can result in bronchitis and pneumonia.  Found in a wide range of cleaning products.  Ammonia will react with bleach to form poisonous chlorine gas that can cause burning and watering of eyes, as well as burning of the nose and mouth.

Bleach: see sodium hypochlorite

Diethanolamine (DEA) - Listed as a suspected carcinogen by the State of California, this chemical is a skin and respiratory toxicant and a severe eye irritant.  Used in a wide range of household cleaning products.

Ethoxylated nonyl phenol -  Nonyl phenols are hormone disruptors and some contain traces of ethylene oxide, a known human carcinogen.  They are eye and skin irritants.  Used in laundry detergents and other cleaning products.

Formaldehyde - In lab tests, formaldehyde has caused cancer and damaged DNA.  Formaldehyde is also a sensitizer, with the potential to cause asthma. Several laboratory studies have shown it to be a central nervous system depressant. Exposure to formaldehyde may cause joint pain, depression, headaches, chest pains, ear infections, chronic fatigue, dizziness and loss of sleep.  While formaldehyde naturally occurs in the human body in minute amounts, it is estimated that 20 per cent of people exposed to it will experience an allergic reaction. Used in a wide range of products, including some furniture polishes. Formaldehyde may be released by other chemicals, eg.quaternary 15.

Fragrance - Fragrance on a label can indicate the presence of up to 4,000 separate ingredients, most of which are synthetic. Many compounds in fragrance are human toxins and suspected or proven carcinogens. In 1989, the US National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health evaluated 2,983 fragrance chemicals for health effects. They identified 884 of them as toxic substances. Synthetic fragrances are known to trigger asthma attacks. The US Environmental Protection Agency found that 100% of perfumes contain toluene, which can cause liver, kidney and brain damage as well as damage to a developing fetus. Symptoms reported to the FDA from fragrance exposure have included headaches, dizziness, rashes, skin discoloration, violent coughing and vomiting, and allergic skin irritation. Clinical observations  by medical doctors have shown that exposure to fragrances can affect the central nervous system, causing depression, hyperactivity, irritability, inability to cope, and other behavioral changes. Fragrance is a common skin irritant.

Methylene chloride - Methylene chloride is a carcinogen, a neurotoxin and a reproductive toxin. On inhalation, it can cause liver and brain damage, irregular heartbeat, and even heart attack. It is a severe skin and moderate eye irritant. Used in stain removers.

Monoethanolamine - This chemical may cause liver, kidney and reproductive damage, as well as depression of the central nervous system.  Inhalation of high concentrations - when cleaning an oven for example - can cause dizziness or even coma.   The chemical can also be absorbed through the skin.  It is a moderate skin irritant, and a severe eye irritant.  Found in many cleaning products, including oven cleaners, tub and tile cleaners, laundry pre-soaks, floor strippers and carpet cleaners. 

Morpholine - This corrosive ingredient can severely irritate and burn skin and eyes, and can even cause blindness if splashed in eyes.  It can cause liver and kidney damage, and long-term exposure can result in bronchitis.  It reacts with nitrites (added as a preservative in some products, or present as a contaminant) to form carcinogenic nitrosomines.  Morpholine is a moderate to severe eye, skin and mucous membrane irritant. Used as a solvent in a number of cleaning products, including some furniture polishes and abrasive cleansers.

Naphthalene - This registered pesticide is listed as a suspected carcinogen in California and is most commonly found in mothballs, and some other pest repellants, as well as in deodorizers.  As a reproductive toxin, it is transported across the placenta and can cause blood damage.  It can cause liver and kidney damage, and corneal damage and cataracts.  Skin exposure is especially dangerous to newborns.

Parabens - Parabens are hormone disruptors. Widely used in cleaning products as preservatives, paraben is usually preceded by the prefixes methyl-, ethyl-, butyl-, or propyl.   Parabens may cause contact dermatitis in some individuals

Paradichlorobenzene - This highly volatile registered pesticide is in the same chemical class as DDT.  It is a suspected carcinogen, and may cause lung, liver and kidney damage.  It is used in mothballs and some washroom deodorizers and urinal blocks.

Phosphoric acid - Extremely corrosive, it can severely irritate and burn the skin and eyes.  Breathing vapours can make the lungs ache, and it may be toxic to the central nervous system.  Found in some liquid dishwasher detergents, metal polishes, some disinfectants, and bathroom cleaners, especially those that remove lime and mildew.

Sodium dichloroisocyanurate dihydrate - This corrosive chemical is a severe eye, skin and respiratory irritant. It may cause liver and gastrointestinal damage, and may be toxic to the central nervous system.  It will react with bleach to form poisonous chlorine gas that can cause burning and watering of eyes, as well as burning of the nose and mouth. It is found in some toilet bowl cleaners and deodorizers, as well as industrial detergents and some institutional dishwashing detergents.

Sodium hypochlorite (bleach) - A corrosive chemical, sodium hypochlorite is an eye, skin and respiratory irritant, as well as a sensitizer.  It is especially hazardous to people with heart conditions or asthma, and can be fatal if swallowed.  It may be a neurotoxin and toxic to the liver.  Found in a wide range of household cleaners.

Sodium Lauryl Sulfate  - Sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS) is used as a lathering agent.  This chemical is a known skin irritant. It also enhances the allergic response to other toxins and allergens. The U.S. government has warned manufacturers of unacceptable levels of dioxin formation in some products containing this ingredient.  SLS can react with other ingredients to form cancer-causing nitrosamines

Toluene - Exposure to toluene may cause liver, kidney and brain damage. It is also a reproductive toxin which can damage a developing fetus.

Turpentine - This chemical can cause allergic sensitization, and kidney, bladder and central nervous system damage. It is an eye irritant.  Found in specialty solvent cleaners, furniture polish and shoe products.

Xylene - Xylene has significant neurotoxic effects, including loss of memory.  High exposure can lead to loss of consciousness and even death.  It may damage liver, kidneys and the developing fetus. It is a severe eye and moderate skin irritant.  Used in some spot removers, floor polishes, ironing aids and other products.