Could Your Cleaning Products Make You Sick?
By Connie Thompson
Click here to watch the story SEATTLE -- From clothes, to floors to counter
tops -- if it needs cleaning, there's a product in the store to get the
job done. But would you buy those things if you knew they might make
you sick?
A new report released Tuesday might have you thinking twice.
The report is is a compilation of medical studies and environmental reports on chemicals found in cleaning products you may use everyday.
For the first time, it lists the chemicals, the products, and the potential dangers that you won't find on product labels.
The new report, "Household Hazards," suggests the more cleaning products you use the more likely you are to be exposed to hazardous chemical- that could quietly cause asthma in kids and reproductive problems in women.
The report is by a national non-profit group called Women's Voices for the Earth (WVE).
"One of the chemicals is 2-butoxyethanol. This is a chemical that's linked to reproductive harm," said Alexandra Gorman, the organization's Director of Science and Research. "You can find this in Formula 409 - some other all purpose cleaners. There's also Monoethanolamine. This is a chemical that's linked to asthma."
The report lists five common types of chemicals commonly found in cleaning products: Monoethanolamine or MEA, Ammonium quaternary compounds, Glycol ether on store shelves, Alkyl phenol ethoxylates (APEx) and Phthalates.
The cleaning products using these chemicals include laundry detergents, stain removers, fabric softeners and all-purpose cleaners, bathroom cleaners, glass cleaners, floor cleaners and air fresheners.
The report cites past research that has associated these cleaning chemicals with occupational asthma in cleaning workers and birth defects and fertility problems in animals.
The impacts of chronic exposure to these chemicals on humans has not been fully researched, but the group says scientific data does support cause for concern.
After countless doctors appointments and even a trip to the emergency room for her young son, Seattle mom Brigitta Marko-Small takes extra measures to avoid chemical cleaners. Four-year-old Johan was diagnosed with asthma as a baby.
"I think that the time he has been exposed, I've seen his asthma flare up," said Brigitta. "I think that there should be some regulation on cleaning products so I can look at that and truly see what's in there and make my own decision about whether or not I want that in our house."
The Household Hazards report says while there's no regulation, the potential link between health problems and the chemicals in cleaners is too serious to ignore.
In addition to spelling out the potential hazards, this report lists the actual products where the chemicals are believed to be present, along with the product manufacturers.
The 23 manufacturers have been contacted by the group asking for full disclosure of the chemicals through product labels. WVE also urges consumers to educate themselves about the potential health risks.
"Right now, I think if you are suffering from asthma, if someone in your family is suffering from asthma, if you are pregnant or looking to get pregnant, these are chemicals that you might want to be concerned about," said Gorman.
For More Information:
http://www.womenandenvironment.org/
A new report released Tuesday might have you thinking twice.
The report is is a compilation of medical studies and environmental reports on chemicals found in cleaning products you may use everyday.
For the first time, it lists the chemicals, the products, and the potential dangers that you won't find on product labels.
The new report, "Household Hazards," suggests the more cleaning products you use the more likely you are to be exposed to hazardous chemical- that could quietly cause asthma in kids and reproductive problems in women.
The report is by a national non-profit group called Women's Voices for the Earth (WVE).
"One of the chemicals is 2-butoxyethanol. This is a chemical that's linked to reproductive harm," said Alexandra Gorman, the organization's Director of Science and Research. "You can find this in Formula 409 - some other all purpose cleaners. There's also Monoethanolamine. This is a chemical that's linked to asthma."
The report lists five common types of chemicals commonly found in cleaning products: Monoethanolamine or MEA, Ammonium quaternary compounds, Glycol ether on store shelves, Alkyl phenol ethoxylates (APEx) and Phthalates.
The cleaning products using these chemicals include laundry detergents, stain removers, fabric softeners and all-purpose cleaners, bathroom cleaners, glass cleaners, floor cleaners and air fresheners.
The report cites past research that has associated these cleaning chemicals with occupational asthma in cleaning workers and birth defects and fertility problems in animals.
The impacts of chronic exposure to these chemicals on humans has not been fully researched, but the group says scientific data does support cause for concern.
After countless doctors appointments and even a trip to the emergency room for her young son, Seattle mom Brigitta Marko-Small takes extra measures to avoid chemical cleaners. Four-year-old Johan was diagnosed with asthma as a baby.
"I think that the time he has been exposed, I've seen his asthma flare up," said Brigitta. "I think that there should be some regulation on cleaning products so I can look at that and truly see what's in there and make my own decision about whether or not I want that in our house."
The Household Hazards report says while there's no regulation, the potential link between health problems and the chemicals in cleaners is too serious to ignore.
In addition to spelling out the potential hazards, this report lists the actual products where the chemicals are believed to be present, along with the product manufacturers.
The 23 manufacturers have been contacted by the group asking for full disclosure of the chemicals through product labels. WVE also urges consumers to educate themselves about the potential health risks.
"Right now, I think if you are suffering from asthma, if someone in your family is suffering from asthma, if you are pregnant or looking to get pregnant, these are chemicals that you might want to be concerned about," said Gorman.
For More Information:
http://www.womenandenvironment.org/