Many household cleaners contain ingredients that may be harmful to your family, home, or environment. Research has found quite a few common household cleaners that are toxic – check and see what’s under your sink, read the labels, and avoid buying products that use them.
Bleach
Bleach, or sodium hypochlorite, is acutely toxic to fish and other aquatic species. The chlorine binds with marine organic material to form organochlorines, which are toxic compounds that can persist in the environment. Chlorine bleach can cause irritation & burns, and edema or coma if ingested.
Mold & Mildew Cleaners
The contents of mold and mildew cleaners include known carcinogens and chemicals that can cause fluid in the lungs, memory loss and shortness of breath.
Dishwasher Detergents
Phosphates have been mostly eliminated from laundry products, but no action has ever been taken on their presence in dishwasher detergents. Most products available from manufacturers contain 30-40% phosphates and/or high levels of chlorine-based sanitizing ingredients. Disposed phosphates can seep into aquatic environments and cause eutrophication, which overstimulates the growth of algae and other aquatic plants and stifles the previously-balanced ecosystem.
Air Fresheners
Air fresheners commonly contain formaldehyde, a known carcinogen.
Oven Cleaners
Oven cleaners can cause irritation & burns, and effect reflexes and tissue if ingested.
Laundry Detergent & Products
Laundry products contain elements that can cause liver damage and can irritate and/or burn skin, eyes, mucous membranes and the respiratory tract.
Toilet Bowl Cleaners
The contents of toilet bowl cleaners can damage kidneys and the liver, irritate skin and eyes, and cause edema or coma if ingested.
Carpet Shampoos
2-butozyethanol, or ethylene glycol butyl ether, is one of the many ethers used as a solvent in carpet cleaners. It can be inhaled or absorbed through the skin and may cause blood disorders and/or liver and kidney damage. Long-term exposure could also lead to damages in the reproductive system.
Drain Cleaners
Drain cleaners contain elements that can damage kidneys, liver & the digestive tract, and depress the nervous system.
Ammonia
Ammonia causes irritation to the eyes and mucous membranes, breathing difficulty, wheezing, chest pains, pulmonary edema, and skin burns. High exposure can lead to blindness, lung damage, heart attack, or even death.