The Hidden Toxins Harming Your Health…
Are you prepared to wear all this protective equipment when using your household cleaners?
Probably not… but you actually need to wear this equipment if you want to protect your health… and for hours after you would need to wear a mask to counter the effects of ‘vapours’!
Dramatic? No!!
In fact, many household cleaner labels actually advise you to … “To prevent the health effects of disinfectants, it is recommended to wear protective equipment such as masks, gloves, waterproof aprons, and goggles”
Through extensive research I discovered that every day cleaning and home care products have ingredients that are detrimental to your health and through using them can result in a multitude of health problems… e.g. skin issues, breathing issues, weight issues, allergies etc.
The first thing I found astonishing is that cleaning product companies do NOT have to list their ALL the ingredients on the label, just the ‘active’ ingredients. In some cases, they don’t even have to do this and just provide a website for you to do the investigating. However visiting their website often proved to be vague and unclear and having to Google ‘Safety data sheets’ for the product.
Anyway, I have done some of the leg work here. Providing information on what ingredients are detrimental to your health, and what aren’t.
You may want to grab a cuppa…. as this may take you 20-mins, or so, to read. But I am going so far as to say it is ESSENTIAL reading and your health depends on it. And I’m not being dramatic just for effect! Which I’ve been known to do!
You see, over time, the chemicals in your daily household products can build up in the body, in your tissues, organs and even whole-body systems e.g. Nervous system. These products (chemicals) have a profound effect on the Skin and Gut Microbiome, which can result in health issues.
Just spraying, or applying, these products ‘sometimes’ can trigger an immunological reaction resulting in headaches, skin rashes, sneezing, red watery itchy eyes, sore itchy throat, congestion, sinus problems, tightness in the chest and even difficulty breathing, and that’s just to name a few.
Here is what I uncovered: the DANGEROUS COMMON INGREDIENTS found in everyday cleaning products…
BLEACH is generally a mix of SODIUM HYPOCHLORITE and SODIUM HYDROXIDE. Have you ever read the health warnings on the side of your bleach bottle? Let me share a few… “May produce severe burns”… “Attacks skin and eyes”… “Vapour may be harmful” … “Avoid contact with skin and eyes.” Why so many warnings? Because … “Inhalation of hypochlorite causes irritation, nausea, vomiting, dizziness, breathing distress, headache, and cough. At high concentrations, hypochlorite may cause upper respiratory tract edema and pulmonary edema. Long-term use of hypochlorite increases neutrophil levels and causes lower airway symptoms.” [32] While bottles of ‘bleach’ advise users to wear masks, eye protection and gloves when using, it is estimated that very few people do.
SODIUM DODECYLBENZENE SULPHONATE can be absorbed into the body by inhalation, irritating the eyes, skin and respiratory tract. Long term exposure may result in dermatitis. Found in kitchen and bathroom cleaning sprays and liquid cleaning agents.
SODIUM TETRABORATE DECAHYDRATE is basically borax. Commonly used in air-fresheners and cleaners. The jury is still out on borax. Good or bad? There is conflicting information out there. But inhalation may result in shortness of breath, sore throat, coughs and nose bleeds. In America, the FDA banned borax as an additive in foods. The European Chemicals Agency has named it as being ‘of very high concern’. I’ll leave it to you to decide.
FRAGRANCE is added to nearly all cleaners and air-fresheners so things can smell ‘clean’. What does ‘clean’ really smell like, I wonder…?? Anyway, companies do NOT have to list the source. Mind-boggling, hey? Something we use in our homes, day in and day out and there is no mention of what’s in it! Let’s look at what the research says. A 2007 study in the ‘American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care’ revealed that frequent use of household cleaning sprays is a risk factor for asthma as fragrances were found to linger in the air1. Another 2009 study conducted at the ‘University of Cincinnati College of Medicine’ showed long-term use of cleaning products is “recognized as a common cause of new-onset and aggravated occupational asthma” [2].
DIPROPYLENE GLYCOL BUTYL ETHER also found in Mace spray and brake fluid; and your household cleaning products – eek! The compounds can be absorbed into the body by inhalation and can result in irritation of the eyes, nose, throat and symptoms such as dizziness and headaches. Long term use targets the respiratory and central nervous system.
PROPYLENE GLYCOL has been shown to affect the… “Integumentary system (Skin), Urinary system (Kidneys) and Respiratory system (From Nose to the Lungs)”. According to the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry3. And knowing all of that, it is still approved for sale. Crazy?? YES!! According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Public Health Service Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry… “Propylene glycol breaks down in the body in about 48 hours. However, studies of people and animals show that if you have repeated eye, skin, nasal, or oral exposures to propylene glycol for a short time, you may develop some irritation”. I wonder what their definition of ‘Short-time’ is? Day in and day out??
SODIUM LAURETH SULFATE (SLES) a detergent and surfactant “causes eye or skin irritation in experiments conducted on animals and humans” [4]. This is a common ingredient in home spray cleaners, toilet cleaners, shower cleaners etc.
AMMONIUM CHLORIDE used in glass cleaning and bench cleaning sprays produces strong fumes that are potentially damaging to mucous membranes such as eyes, nose and airways.
HYDROCHLORIC ACID is found in toilet and shower screen/tile cleaners. It’s corrosive and its fumes can result in asthma like symptoms such as coughing, shortness of breath and chest tightness [5]. Skin contact can blister and burn skin.
TRICLOSAN is a common ingredient in antibacterial cleaners and hand sanitisers. Apparently, an individual can only absorb a small amount of triclosan through the skin or the mouth. However, in a 2004 study of participants aged 6yrs and older, Triclosan was detected in the urine of nearly 75% of the people tested 6. So, on one hand they say it is only absorbed in small amounts, but it is found in urine of nearly 75% of people. Wtf? Other research indicates that, “There is some concern that widespread use of triclosan and other biocides can alter antibiotic resistance in bacteria” [7]. Amazing hey, the very thing meant to keep pathogenic bacteria at bay may makes it stronger!
BENZISOTHIAZOLINONE is used as a preservative and antimicrobial in room air-fresheners. The Environmental Working Group (EWG) rates it as a HIGH concern due to its irritation to the skin, eyes and lungs. A 2013 study 8 showed that when combined with Citral and Triclosan (also used in cleaning products) had a negative effect on lung epithelial cells, inhibiting cell growth. The Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety (EU) says due to a lack of data it should not be used in personal care items. But apparently it is ok to spray around the home and inhale it?? Seriously??
BENZALKONIUM CHLORIDES (BACs) also known as alkyl dimethyl benzyl ammonium chlorides, alkyl dimethyl (phenylmethyl) quaternary ammonium chlorides, ammonium alkyl dimethyl (phenylmethyl) chlorides, or ammonium alkyl dimethyl benzyl chlorides, are a class of quaternary ammonium compounds, which are a common ingredient in disinfectants and cleaning supplies, added due to its broad-spectrum antimicrobial properties against bacteria, fungi, and viruses. “BACs are known skin irritants, with occasional, rarer reports as allergens (skin sensitizers). Regarding acute toxicology data, BACs are classified by the EPA as toxicity category II by the oral and inhalation routes and toxicity category III via the dermal route. They are also considered to be highly irritating to the eyes and skin (toxicity category I). Considerable cell toxicity was observed in vitro for human ocular cells exposed to BAC concentrations as low as 0.0001%.” [30,31]
FORMALDEHYDE can be used in small concentrations as a preservative in cleaning products and air fresheners. It can interfere with the ability to smell by coating nasal passages with an oily film.
I really could go on and on. There are a huge list of ingredients, but you get the picture, right?
And the effects of these chemicals on the Gut Microbiome have not even been researched yet but knowing its detrimental effects on the body it’s hard to imagine it doesn’t affect the microbiome, considering we are more bacteria than cells.
So, what to do?
BIN all your cleaning products – you and your family’s health is paramount here.
What to use instead?
The the cheapest and simplest cleaner is plain white vinegar. It’s simple, cheap and effective. And if trying to remove stains sprinkle some bicarb on the area, apply the vinegar solution and scrub. However, the bicarb/vinegar method isn’t suitable for many surfaces such as wood, leather, certain surfaces etc. and it can be messy and leave a residue!
So, what’s the SOLUTION?
Well with HEALTH and SAFETY being a priority for me and my family… I set off to work in my VOI studio to develop an alternative… my aim was to create ONE CLEANER to replace ALL the cleaning products used in most homes.
A product that is SAFE, NON-TOXIC, HIGHLY EFFECTIVE and EVIDENCE-BASED that could be used on a multitude of surfaces, smells amazing and has anti-viral, antibacterial, anti-microbial, anti-fungal, anti-infectious, anti-inflammatory, anti-parasitic and antiseptic properties.
After a one-year trial and research the result was the creation of… THE ONE CLEANER … that can be used on a multitude of surfaces from counters, to floors, to pillows and WILL clean, disinfect, sanitize, naturally deters pests and is SAFE.
I also wanted to provide a CONCENTRATE to reduce waste, and allow the end user, to create varying strengths depending on what needed to be cleaned. And of course, for it to be affordable.
Here is the information, and research, about the ingredients used in The One Cleaner… and it has been laboratory tested and verified to kill 99.9% of E.Coli and 99.90% of germs!
So there you have it, information to make an informed decision about what to use in your home (and car) to clean. If you think this information would be useful for family and friends please forward them the link. Thanks Nat xx
EDIT 2020… Lots of people have asked me… “Is OCD effective against COVID-19?”. I make no claim to treat any condition, specific bacteria or virus, but rather, present the facts from research. Recent new concerns are emerging about alcohol-tolerant bacteria and viruses. Over recent years, researchers have noted a steady rise in the number of serious infections caused by one particular drug-resistant bacterium — Enterococcus faecium — despite the wide use of alcohol-based disinfectants. [23]
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