Use household cleaners sparingly

Household cleaners may make your home sparkling clean, but they can also be significant sources of indoor air pollutants and pose hazards to your health.

Three recent research reports in various publications have added more warnings about household cleaners.

* One study has established a link between reduced functioning of the lungs and exposure to cleaners containing 1,4 dichlorobenzene (DCB), the active chemical ingredient in mothballs that gives their characteristic smell. The study was conducted by U.S. National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences researchers. They found that exposure to 1,4 DCB resulted in an average loss of 4 percent in lung function.

* A second study conducted in Europe said that regularly using spray cleaners raised the chances of asthma by nearly 50 percent. It involved 3,500 people coming from ten countries.

* Another study showed that dangerous toxins are found in fragrances and air freshener fumes, but product labels do not contain any disclosure since the federal government has no regulation requiring manufacturers to do so. This was done by scientists at the University of Washington.

The Soap and Detergent Association took issue with the research reports, saying their products have established safety records. The SDA said the new research reports are essentially just tired repetitions of previous studies.

Some other experts believe the findings are not enough to make people panic. However, the studies do indicate that people should consider taking steps to reduce exposure.

While those having asthma are likely to veer away from using these products, other healthy people should also consider avoiding them. People today live tightly wrapped inside their homes, and they constantly breathe into their lungs any chemicals that may be present in the indoor environment.

The Environmental Protection Agency has repeatedly declared that for the average American home, there is five times more pollution in the air inside the house than outside. The primary reason is the cleaning products which have chemical ingredients that can be more hazardous to health than the germs themselves.

The average American consumes about 25 gallons of household cleaners and other chemical products, which contain toxic and hazardous ingredients.

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission does not require household cleaning product manufacturers to test the goods before selling them to the market. Consumers depend on the label for information about the product. Labels normally do not mention inactive or inert ingredients (comprising up to 90 percent of product volume) which still serve as pollutants to air and water.

Consumers concerned with their family’s health should control exposure to household cleaners, especially since any changes they cause on health will occur over long time periods.

Safety Tips:

* Go green. Unscented laundry detergents and cleaning products have less harsh chemicals. Synthetic fragrances contain chemicals linked to damage in the reproductive system.

* Look for “non-chlorine bleach” cleaners and powders. Chlorine fumes given off by such cleaners can be hazardous to those with asthma and emphysema. Fragranced chlorine cleaners are even worse.

* Ensure proper ventilation while using cleaning products in a room. Wear a mask and keep windows open.

* Use household cleaners sparingly.