Beware – Your Home May be Dangerous to Your Health

For years we have been buying the same household cleaners from the same big-name brands. They are literally a part of our lives.

But, did you know that these familiar names are not selling products with our best interests in mind? Yes, sadly, it’s true. Now this is not to disparage the effectiveness of these products in cleaning and producing results, but – and that’s a big BUT, these same effective cleaning products are not always safe for people. Some of them contain downright dangerous toxic chemicals to which no one, not even our pets, should be exposed.

According to Anne Marie Helmenstine, Ph.D., “Many common household chemicals are dangerous. They may be reasonably safe when used as directed, yet contain toxic chemicals or degrade over time into a more dangerous chemical.” It’s enough when we must confront known harmful chemicals, but to find that they can degrade into even more dangerous forms is downright scary.

 

Let’s look at some examples…

Ammonia – Ammonia is a common ingredient we have all used. It is especially common in glass cleaners and wipes. It is a volatile compound that can irritate the respiratory system and mucous membranes if inhaled and it can cause a chemical burn if it is spilled on skin. Ammonia will react with chlorinated products (e.g., bleach) to produce deadly chloramine gas. Yet, this has been a home standard for years.

Laundry DetergentLaundry detergents contain a variety of chemicals, such as alcohol ethoxylate, alkyl ethoxy sulfate, amine oxide, ethanol and hydrogen peroxide. Few know what these are and what they mean to our health. Ingestion of cationic agents may cause nausea, vomiting, convulsion, and coma. Non-ionic detergents are irritants. Also, many people experience chemical sensitivity to dyes and perfumes present in some detergents.

These are just two of the many product types we use on a regular basis.

It’s time to read the fine-print – check all labels for ingredients and warnings. Better yet, select products that are known to be safe, i.e. non-toxic, green, bio-degradable. Your family will appreciate it and Mother Earth will too.

Fabric Softener and Dryer Sheets are Poisonous

Skipping the fabric softener in your laundry cycle can save your family from chemical reactions and poisoning. They might make your clothes feel soft and fresh, but fabric softeners and dryer sheets are some of the most toxic products on the market. It is a safe bet that most Americans are not linking chemicals in these products to cancer and brain damage.

Here is a list of just a few of the chemicals found in fabric softeners and dryer sheets:

A-Terpineol: Can cause respiratory problems, including fatal edema, and central nervous system damage

Benzyl acetate: Linked to pancreatic cancer

Benzyl Alcohol: Upper respiratory tract irritant
Camphor: Causes central nervous system disorders
Chloroform: Neurotoxic, anesthetic and carcinogenic
Ethanol: On the EPA’s Hazardous Waste list and can cause central nervous system disorders
Ethyl Acetate: A narcotic on the EPA’s Hazardous Waste list
Limonene: Known carcinogen

Linalool: A narcotic that causes central nervous system disorders

Pentane: A chemical known to be harmful if inhaled

Soft Ocean Mist, Summer Orchard and April Fresh sound a little less benign now, don’t they? Companies manufacturing these products use 50 times more fragrance than necessary to cover up the smell of all of those toxic chemicals. Next load, remember, that flowery smell is there to conceal chemicals from you. Is it really worth it?

If you are having any of these symptoms, you could be a victim of dryer sheet poisoning, please consult a physician.

Central nervous system disorders
Headaches
Nausea
Vomiting
Dizziness
Blood pressure reduction
Irritation to skin, mucus membranes and respiratory tract
Pancreatic cancer
It doesn’t have to be this way. You don’t have to make your own products by hand, you don’t have to spend a fortune on organic products, you don’t even have to eliminate using these items. There are green alternatives that are affordable alternates and Green Clean Life has many recommendations! Enter to win our monthly drawing of $200+ in retail products that are safe and effective! TEXT GIVEAWAY to 480-707-3859 today!