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Clean vs. Clean-Smelling

It’s hard to shake the notion that products such as toilet bowl sanitizers, room deodorizers and kitchen cleansers aren’t helping us keep our families clean and healthy. But the truth is, while they may be killing germs, they are also polluting the air in our homes and exposing our families’ lungs to a constant intake of low-level toxicants.

Studies have shown that constant exposure to such products as pesticides, paints, cleansers and especially the solid white blocks of compounds found in room deodorizers and toilet bowl sanitizers can reduce lung function. Researchers say the problem occurs because the chemicals are released in a contained environment (your home) where air is trapped and recirculated. What’s more, people face multiple chemical exposures because often, more than one product is being used at the same time.

Does that mean we can’t clean our homes? Of course not. Numerous cleaning products are sold that don’t contain harmful chemicals and work just as effectively. Opening windows to air out a house is also important for reducing indoor air pollution, especially after painting. And for people who smoke, not doing so indoors can make a huge difference in reducing indoor air pollution.

For more information on household cleaners that don’t contain harmful chemicals, please click here.

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To read more about this and other environmental health issues, go to: www.environmentalhealthnews.org, www.ourstolenfuture.org, or www.healthandenvironment.org