Women's Menopause Health Center  March 15, 2007 Newsletter.

Safe, Organic Cleaning Compounds.

 

SPRING-GREEN YOUR HOME.
By Kim Erickson

IS YOUR HOME TOXIC FROM CHEMICALS USED IN EVERYDAY CLEANING PRODUCTS?
DISCOVER THE WORST CULPRITS AND FIND SAFER SOLUTIONS


Home. Just hearing the word conjures up feelings of comfort and safety. To keep our homes spotless,
we spend millions each year on household cleaning products. And as we routinely scrub, polish,
disinfect and deodorize, we naively assume the products we're using are safe. But are they? The EPA
has consistently ranked indoor air pollution among the top five risks to public health. And major
contributors to this are chemicals in cleaning products.

All-purpose and glass cleaners may contain ammonia, an eye irritant that can cause headaches and
lung irritation. Disinfectants harbor phenol and cresol, two corrosive chemicals that cause diarrhea,
fainting and dizziness, as well as kidney and liver damage. Polishes that make floors and furniture
shine include nitrobenzene, a carcinogen that can also cause skin discoloration, shallow breathing,
vomiting and even death. Exposure to this toxic chemical can also cause reproductive damage and
birth defects.

Since conventional cleaners often spend months on the shelf, strong preservatives are needed to
prevent the product from going bad. One of the most popular preservatives is formaldehyde, a
suspected human carcinogen and hormone disruptor. Since formaldehyde is also a strong irritant,
short-term exposure can affect the eyes, skin, throat and lungs.

These chemicals aren't just a threat while they are being used. The carbon-based gases known as
volatile organic compounds (VOCs) released by common cleaning products can hang around in the air
for days, even weeks. Able to cross the blood-brain barrier, VOCs can depress the central nervous
system, irritate the eyes, nose and throat, reduce pulmonary function and increase the risk of
developing or worsening asthma. Long-term exposure can contribute to a variety of cancers,
especially cancers of the brain, skin, nervous system and endocrine system.

Cleaning the Old-Fashioned Way.

Until World War II and the introduction of thousands of new chemicals in consumer products, many
people cleaned with these simple ingredients.

WHITE VINEGAR: This pantry staple cuts grease, eats lime deposits and destroys odors. It's good for
washing windows and kitchen counters, shining bathroom fixtures, and sanitizing toilets and floors.
Mix with a few drops of olive oil to polish wood.

BORAX: Got mold? Combine equal amounts of borax and white vinegar to banish mold and mildew
from hard surfaces. This natural mineral can also clean your toilet. Pour 1 cup into the toilet bowl and
let sit for a few hours before scrubbing.

BAKING SODA: Substitute it for scouring powder to scrub sinks without scratching. It's also excellent
for wiping down and deodorizing the frige. Combine with an equal amount of vinegar to freshen drains
and prevent clogs.

SALT: Useful for cleaning that grungy oven, this natural abrasive is just as terrific for soaking up fresh
carpet stains like red wine, coffee or ink, notes Ellen Sandbeck, author of Organic Housekeeping.

 

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