Common household cleaning products may be more dangerous than we realize. A study conducted by Women’s Voices for the Earth (WVE), an organization whose self-described mission is to “eliminate toxic chemicals that impact women’s health by changing consumer behaviors, corporate practices and government policies.” The study investigates the presence of dangerous chemicals in twenty common cleaning products (Simple Green, Tide, Pine Sol, Febreze, etc.) and finds that many contain dangerous chemicals not labeled on the products. The WVE warns against these chemicals, which are known to cause harm to pregnant women, and pushes for their clear labeling. The article details six of the most dangerous products from WVE’s study.
These are the chemicals found and their effects:
Simple Green, contains:
phthalates – affect reproductive & neurological development of developing babies
1,4-dioxane – carcinogen
toluene – pregnancy complications, birth defects, and developmental delays in children
Glade’s Tough Odor Solutions with Oust Air Sanitizer, contains:
phthalates – (above)
galaxolide – hormone disruptor
Tide Liquid Laundry Detergent, contains:
1,4-dioxane – carcinogen
Clorox Cleanup with Bleach, contains:
chloroform – carcinogen
carbon tetrachloride – carcinogen
Pine Sol Original Formula, contains:
toluene – (above)
Febreze Air Effects, contains:
galaxolide – hormone disruptor
Title: Which Household Cleaners Contain Toxins?
Author: Jaeah Lee
Publication: Mother Jones
Date of Publication: November 17, 2011
URL: http://motherjones.com/blue-marble/2011/11/toxins-household-cleaners-tide-clorox-glade-pinesol-febreze-simplegreen
Student Researcher: Elizabeth Saechao, Sonoma State University
Faculty Evaluator: Elaine Wellin, Sonoma State University
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