Hazards Of Household Toxins
December 17th, 2008The long term and fatal health risks of chemical toxins in the home is well documented. The hazards of household toxins can reap misery on a family that fails to take the problem seriously. Although some toxins are just irritating allergens, many of them insidiously create ongoing health issues.
The government has not required chemical manufacturers to list many of the most harmful ingredients in household products. Homeowners assume that if a product is on the grocery store shelf or in the neighborhood dollar store, then it is bound to be safe. Unfortunately, that just isn’t the case.
There has also been a serious void when it comes to understanding the impact of the ingredients. Without private research regarding chemical reactions and hazards of household toxins, consumers would still assume their products are safe.
For example, formaldehyde is found as the by-product in many other products like dryer sheets and furniture polish. A common ingredient found in most air fresheners and deodorizers along with formaldehyde is phenol, which is a carcinogen. These chemicals pose serious health risks when exposed to them consistently over a period of time. Irritation to the eyes, nose, throat and skin, nausea, headaches, nose bleeds, dizziness, memory loss, and shortness of breath are not uncommon after long term exposure.
Ammonium Hydroxide- is extremely irritable to the respiratory tract and skin. Stain removers with methylene chloride is a known cancer causing agent that can cause liver, brain, heart, and skin damage. Monoethanolamine, which is found in oven cleaners, depresses the central nervous system , which can cause dizziness or coma.
Some consumers are fooled by Citrus and Orange cleaners, which are marketed with the words “citrus oil” on the label, thinking that it may be a natural product. Well, it’s not! Citrus and Orange cleaners will often contain D-limonene which is a skin and respiratory irritant. D-limonene can cause life threatening respiratory distress, especially in those with asthma or an allergic reaction.
The health hazards of household toxins are a very real threat. Nearly every commercial cleaning product that is not formulated as an eco-friendly, holistic alternative has some toxin in it. Many of the products we use for housework, gardening, home improvement, or car maintenance contain hazardous materials that endanger our health, the health of our children, household pets, as well as pollute the environment.
While we cannot eliminate all contact with toxic materials what we can do is minimize the contact by removing all toxic household products out of our home and away from our families…immediately! Once we remove the toxins, replace them at once with holistic, natural, eco friendly products!