With Springtime among us, some allergy-prone people are having to limit time spent outside because of pollens floating around. But did you know that some of the most harmful (and allergy-inducing) things floating around are the cleaners that you use inside your home every day?
Ok let’s be real, it’s more like once or twice a month, right? But even twice a month of spraying toxic chemicals in your home or dining out at a restaurant where the wait staff sprays the table next to you (all those particles flying in the air landing in your drink and food-Yuck no thank you!).
Environmental Working Group scientists found that many common household cleaning products release hundreds of hazardous volatile organic compounds or VOCs. And in case you’re wondering who these group of scientists are… Environmental Working Group or EWG’s mission is to “shine a spotlight on outdated legislation, harmful agricultural practices and industry loopholes that pose a risk to our health and the health of our environment”.
They research and share information on things like ingredients used to manufacture personal care products, diapers, and household cleaners to pesticides, herbicides, and preservatives used on our food and much more. They provide information on the severity of toxicity on people and the planet and ways to combat it and/or alternatives to use.
For this piece, I’m choosing to focus on common household cleaners. The EWG study analyzed things like multipurpose and glass cleaners, air fresheners, and laundry detergents, and detected 530 VOCs in these common products. Many of these could cause health issues with the respiratory system, increased cancer risk, and developmental and reproductive problems. It’s crazy to me that this isn’t talked about more! And in some case the companies making these products are trying to block us from knowing (through legislation) how harmful they are to our health.
So look for the EWG VERIFIED® mark on cleaning products. They’re made to be safer for humans and the environment.
You can check out their website for a list of products they vouch for as safe for both people and planet!
And in case you’re somewhere where you can’t find any EWG certified products, then at the very least look for cleaning products that are fragrance-free!
