Sustainable Resources

I think these are interesting articles to read:

Healthy Living Magazine, Volume 14, Number 3 in article titled “Researchers Discover Chemical Carcinogen in Popular Laundry Detergent Brands” writes that nearly two-thirds of laundry detergents sold in America today are contaminated with a cancer-causing chemical called 1,4 -dioxane, which is as potent a carcinogen as many chemical pesticides that have been banned for use around homes, according to a new study carried out by the Organic Consumers Association and Green Patriot Working Group under the direction and supervision of David Steinman, a leading consumer advocate and former representative of the public interest at the National Academy of Sciences.  Virtually every recognizable mainstream brand of laundry detergent is contaminated with this cancer-causing chemical, according to the study results.  Tide, All, Cheer, Gain, Purex, among others were tested for cancer-causing chemicals, and contained 1,4-dioxane.

Alternative ingredients can be found in environmentally friendly unscented laundry detergent.  These are clearly safer for families, workers and our precious natural resources. Although these articles were written years ago, the industry has made great strides for the environment and many more choices, like Seventh Generation Products-my favorite.

 Common Household Cleaners Can Trigger Asthma

In the October 15, 2007 issue of the American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, researchers discussed results from an extremely large and well-done international study.  They said that for professional cleaners, the use of household cleaning products is clearly associated with asthma; that has been strongly confirmed in a major European study.  The article investigated the occurrence of new asthma cases in a largely female population, basically moms and homemakers, in relation to their use of common household cleaners.  The research group identified 3,503 persons doing the cleaning in their homes who were free from asthma at baseline.  Frequency of use of 15 types of cleaning products was obtained in a face-to-face interview at follow-up.  Four days a week of use, asthma risk went up 211 percent.  These associations were consistent.  Risks were predominantly found for the commonly used glass cleaning, furniture and air-freshener sprays.  Frequent use of common household cleaning sprays may be an important risk factor for adult and child asthma.

 Similar studies were published in a February, 2001 issue of the Scandinavian Journal of Work and Environmental Health reporting that 50 percent of cleaners reported work-related respiratory symptoms. In the December 23, 2004 research from Bristol University, United Kingdom indicated that chemicals such as bleach, paint stripper and carpet cleaners are causing childhood asthma after following 14, 000 kids from birth.  According to the research, kids were twice as likely to develop breathing problems if their parents frequently used these products.  The following products were likely to cause childhood breathing problems if used frequently: disinfectant, carpet cleaner, dry-cleaning fluid, turpentine, paint stripper, pesticide, insecticide, bleach, window cleaner, aerosol, air freshener, paint and varnish.

In 2004 Australian study published in Thorax shows that many common household cleaners and appliances give off fumes, which can potentially increase children’s risk of developing asthma. Researchers measured levels of VOC (volatile organic compounds) which are fumes that can be found in items such as cleaning products, paint, furnishings, polishes and room fresheners.  These fumes irritate the airways, causing narrowing and difficult breathing.  We now can make decisions to protect our children and the environment by reducing our use of petroleum-based ingredients.  Even most laundry and dishwashing detergents are made with petroleum-based  ingredients, and certainly all-purpose cleaners, window cleaners, furniture polishes, air fresheners and other typical cleaning products are extremely petroleum dependent.

Earth Friendly Products (EFP) was the first cleaning product company to go completely petroleum free.  Why?  Because the company does its own manufacturing using formulations that are pure phytochemistry, sometimes using certified organic  ingredients including parsley, orange and other plants.  There are no VOCs in EFP. So if you are going to battle asthma and you want to win, give yourself a chance and avoid petroleum-based products such as Windex and Formula 409.  Make choices that are good for you and the environment.