Cleaning products can be as unhealthy for human lungs as smoking twenty tobacco-based cigarettes a day, according to a study from the University of Bergen. And with 28% of Americans spending more than seven hours a week cleaning their homes, there are potentially big risks involved in being around harmful chemicals. Whether it’s an increased risk of cancer or minor ailments like throat problems, these chemicals can cause significant health issues.
Formaldehyde
This is one of the most common bathroom product dangers. It’s found in everything from laundry detergent to soap. Unlike green household product alternatives such as organic or self-made cleaning materials, it can cause severe health problems for people who are repeatedly exposed to it. These can include leukemia and other forms of cancer, given that formaldehyde is a carcinogen. Exposure methods are varied. It may be that you breathe it in, for example. You can also take it in through your digestive system if you eat food that has been contaminated by a formaldehyde-heavy environment.
Ammonia
Ammonia is also found in a number of major cleaning products, such as window cleaning fluids and bottles of multi-purpose spray. And it too can cause a number of issues. It’s possible that a person who is exposed to ammonia will experience a burning sensation in their throat, and in the worst case scenario, long-lasting lung problems. Cell damage is also a distinctive possibility for those who breathe in ammonia. When it combines with the naturally-present water inside the human body, it creates the dangerous and abrasive ammonium hydroxide compound.
Phthalates
Terms like “ammonia” are relatively well known, even if the exact effects that they can have on people aren’t as familiar. But the truth of the matter is that there are lots of other less recognized chemicals in many bathroom products which are just as problematic for your family – and potentially even more so. One of these is phthalates. These are found in all sorts of bathroom products, including air fresheners. They can even be found in toilet paper.
The effects of phthalates can be diverse, and usually negative. An experiment carried out by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and Harvard University found that men with pronounced phthalates levels in their bloodstreams saw lower sperm counts. They’re particularly associated with products which are artificially fragranced. So, it’s wise to go for more organic options if you’re considering buying a bathroom cleaning product designed to keep the smells at bay.
A tub of sanitizer or a bottle of bleach may seem like a must-have when it comes to health and hygiene around the bathroom. But the reality is that these products could be putting you and your family at risk. From the formaldehyde in detergents to the ammonia in those ever-handy surface sprays, there’s a lot to look out for – and it may be worth carrying out a bathroom product audit and weeding out the dangerous items.
For more whole health discussions, listen to my weekly radio show Living Above The Drama. Also available on iHeartRadio.