The Truth About Chemical Cleaners

Your health and the environment You are committed to good health and have daily activities and routines you follow in order to support your health. On most days, you start your morning with a workout or a power walk, then make your high-protein smoothee, and take your supplements, and brush your teeth. Then, throughout the day, you try to make the right decisions about eating healthy, drinking plenty of water, wearing your sunscreen, and putting activity into your day.

All these small steps taken day in and day out lead to a stronger and healthier YOU!

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) tracks more than 84,000 chemicals used in commerce.i These chemicals, have worked their way into our everyday lives. Now, no matter how clean you try to live, it is impossible to escape exposure from these chemicals that may put an amazingly heavy burden on our liver and other detoxification pathways in our bodies. Chemicals are found in the food we eat, clothes we wear, personal care products we use, and even the very products that we use to keep our homes clean and safe.

Take a look at the chemicals found in common household cleaners:

Name	Found in	Potentially harmful effects
Phthalates	Solvents used to make fragrances	Endocrine disrupters: Men with high levels of phthalates in their blood have reduced sperm counts.
Perchloroethylene (PERC)	Dry-cleaning solution, spot removers, carpet cleaners	The EPA classifies PERC as a possible carcinogen and has ordered a phase-out of the chemical by 2020.
Triclosan	An antibacterial found in dishwashing detergents and hand soaps	Leads to drug-resistant bacteria and is a possible hormone disrupter.
2-Butoxyethanol	Mostly found in window cleaners, is responsible for the sweet smell	General irritant when inhaled, at high levels can damage lungs, liver, and kidneys
Ammonia	Found in many cleaning products	When inhaled, it can irritate the lungs and potentially worsen asthma.
Chlorine	Another ubiquitous chemical, found in toilet bowl cleaner, mildew removers, laundry products, and even tap water	Chlorine is very reactive and irritates skin and lungs. It may disrupt the thyroid.

While it can be daunting to think that we are surrounded by so many chemicals, the good news is that there are fantastic natural choices that will do the job these chemicals do just as well without exposing you and your family to potentially harmful fumes, solvents, and toxins.

Be sure you only have safe, green cleaners under your sink and in your laundry. Choosing green cleaners means that you are doing the best for your health, the environment, and your family's well-being!

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i http://www.epa.gov/oppt/existingchemicals/pubs/tscainventory/basic.html