GREEN AND CLEANAn Introduction to

Safer & Cheaper Home Cleaning Products for your Home

8/28/19

BODY BURDEN

total

accumulation

of toxicants in

your body

FOOD

Pesticide residue

Artificial food coloring

Nitrates/nitrites

PFOA

Chemicals found in

meat/fish

OUTDOOR ENVIRONMENT

Air Pollution

Pesticides

Pharmaceuticals in

water

INDOOR ENVIRONMENT

(Homes, Schools,

Workplaces, Hobbies)

Furniture

Cleaners

Rugs

Tobacco smoke

Personal care products

More than 85,000 commercial chemicals have been

developed in the last 60 years.

WHY IS INDOOR AIR QUALITY IMPORTANT?

We spend about 90% of our time indoors

Concentrations of some pollutants are 2-5X higher indoors than outdoors

Volatile Organic Compounds* (VOCs) can be up to 10X higher indoors than

outdoors (Sources include: cleaners, disinfectants, air fresheners, aerosol sprays)

Toxic chemicals in household cleaners are 3X more likely to cause cancer than outdoor air pollution

People most susceptible: children, elderly, people with cardiovascular or respiratory disease (i.e. asthma, COPD)

* chemicals that contaminate the air and are emitted at room temperature from products

HAVE YOU EVER HEARD ANYONE SAY?…

My bathroom isn’t clean unless I smell bleach.

I always buy hand soap with disinfectants to keep away germs.

I like all the different fragrances they put in cleaners -they make my house smell so good!

CHEMICALS IN SOME CLEANING PRODUCTS

ARE LINKED TO HEALTH EFFECTS

INCLUDING:

IMMEDIATE (ACUTE)

SKIN IRRITATION

RESPIRATORY IRRITATION

WATERY EYES

CHEMICAL BURNS

ASTHMA ATTACK

LONG-TERM (CHRONIC)

CANCER

HORMONE DISRUPTION

ASTHMA

REPRODUCTIVE PROBLEMS

DEVELOPMENTAL PROBLEMS

LIVER & KIDNEY DAMAGE

CENTRAL NERVOUS SYSTEM

DAMAGE

SOME CHEMICALS FOUND IN CLEANING PRODUCTS

CHEMICAL FOUND IN SOME (NOT ALL) LINKED TO:

Pthalates Fragrances (many products; trade-secret)

Asthma; Endocrine disruption;

Reproductive problems

TriclosanAlso called Microban® and

Biofresh®

Antibacterial products including

dishwashing liquids

Endocrine disruption; Breast cancer;

Very toxic to aquatic life;

Persists in the environment

Ethanolamines: Mono-ethanolamine (MEA);

Di-ethanolamine (DEA);

Tri- ethanolaminene (TEA)

Laundry detergents;

Spot removers

Asthma; Skin allergies/irritation;

Respiratory toxicant,

Developmental & Reproductive Toxicant;

Cancer; Kidney damage

Ammonium Quaternary

Compounds

All purpose cleaners; toilet bowl

cleaners; disinfecting

wipes/sprays

Asthma;

Developmental & Reproductive Toxicity

Alkylphenol ethoxylates(nonylphenol & octylphenol

ethoxylates)

Multi- surface and floor cleaners Endocrine disruption; Environmental

toxin; Can be contaminated with a

carcinogen (1,4 dioxane)

2-Butoxyethanol(Many different names:

Dowanol, EGBE, etc)

Glass cleaner; Degreasers;

Carpet stain remover

Asthma; Cancer; Birth defects; Kidney &

liver toxicant

Chemical of concern Common Product Examples

Triclosan

(antibacterial & antifungal)

Also called Microban® and

Biofresh®

Antibacterial dishwashing liquids:

Dawn Ultra Concentrated Anti-bacterial

Joy Ultra Antibacterial

Gain Ultra Antibacterial

Nonoxynol-12

(an alykylphenol

ethoxylate)

Walmart Great Value Foaming Bathroom Cleaner, Lemon

Di-ethanolamine All Baby Liquid Detergent;

Grandma’s Secret Spot Remover;

Simple Green Pro Heavy Duty Cleaner

Tri-ethanolamine Woolite Extra Color Care Laundry Detergent

Whisk Liquid Laundry Detergent-Color Safe Bleach

All OxiLiquid Detergent, Free and Clear

Pledge Wipes, Lemon

WHY IS THIS SO CONFUSING?

Complicated ingredient names

Ex: nonylphenol ethoxylate, dimethylbenzyl ammonium chloride

Lots of different names for the same ingredient

These are all the same chemical!

2-Butoxyethanol, n-Butoxyethanol, Butyl cellosolve, Butyl glycol, Butyl monoether

glycol, EGBE (ethylene glycol monobutyl ether), Dowanol EB, and more…..

All ingredients aren’t listed on the label

There are families of compounds that are slightly different

chemically and may have different health & environmental effects

Impurities in the product may also be health hazards

FRAGRANCES

Can contain up to 3,000 separate chemicals (i.e. parabens, phthalates, octoxynols)

Breakdown products can persist in the environment (house dust)

Most concerning biological action:

Ability to mimic or block normal hormone functioning (endocrine disruptors)

Health effects: diabetes, thyroid problems, immune problems, birth defects, reproductive problems, cancer

WHAT’S IN THE CLEANERS WE USE EVERY DAY?

Environmental Working Group

www.ewg.org

EWG’s Guide to Healthy Cleaning

Safety ratings for over 2,500 products

Myth: If it says

“GREEN”

or

“NATURAL”

or

“ECO-FRIENDLY”

then it’s safe and

environmentally

friendly

WHY IS IT ON THE SHELF IF IT’S NOT SAFE?

➢ Toxics Substances Control Act (TSCA) (1976) weak law

➢ First time industrial chemicals were regulated

➢ Underlying Assumption: It’s safe until proven unsafe

➢ Health and safety data not required by the manufacturer

➢ Proof of safety falls on EPA

“Original” Toxics Substance Control Act– 1976

• EPA had only 90 days to determine risk

• High burden of proof to demonstrate unreasonable risk

• Broad claim to “Confidential business information”

• Health/environment risk trade-off with economic benefits

“Revised” Toxics Substances Control Act – 2016

• Risk based on only on health and environment, not cost

• Vulnerable populations explicitly protected

Health Environment

WARNING LABELS

HIGHEST HAZARD DANGER, POISON

SAFER You don’t see DANGER, POISON,

CAUTION or WARNING

LESS HAZARDOUS CAUTION, WARNING

Use the right dilution

Use adequate ventilation

Follow directions (wear gloves, etc.)

SHOP FOR PRODUCTS THAT:

List all ingredients

Biodegradable

Are plant-based not petroleum-based

pH neutral (not a strong acid or base)

Packaged in pump-spray bottles not aerosol cans

Are third party certified

➢EPA’s Safer Choice logo & databasehttps://www.epa.gov/saferchoice

DISINFECTANTS

They are registered pesticides

Use only when needed (ex: body fluids, feces)

Use them correctly (remove dirt first, use appropriate contact

time)

NEVER mix bleach with other chemicals/cleaners → TOXIC GAS

People with asthma or heart and lung problems should not use

bleach or ammonia

SAFER

Soap and water

Microfiber cloth

Clean high touch surfaces frequently

THE SOLUTIONS!

Clean with safer, simpler ingredients!!!!Vinegar

Baking sodaCastile soap

WaterOlive Oil

Microfiber Cloths

&

Moso Bags (bamboo charcoal) for odors!

SAFER, SIMPLER and CHEAPER!!!!!!

GREEN INGREDIENT WHAT IT DOES

BAKING SODA✓ Cleans ✓ Deodorizes

✓ Mild abrasive ✓ Odor absorber

WHITE VINEGAR

5% acid

(NEVER mix with Bleach)

✓ Cuts grease, ✓ Prevents mold and mildew

✓ Deodorizes ✓ Dissolves soap scum

✓ Reduces Bacterial Load on a surface

LIQUID SOAP

Use Castile Soap;

Don’t use Petroleum-based

soap

✓ Cleans ✓ Cuts grease

OLIVE OIL ✓ Shines

ESSENTIAL OIL

(OR EXTRACT- less concentrated)

Peppermint, lemon, lavender, etc.

✓Deodorizes ✓Scents

COST

How much do you spend on average every month for household cleaners?

Baking sodaWhite VinegarDr. Bronner’s Castile Soap

$19 Total

Enough to make:

9 quarts of All Purpose Cleaner

4 quarts of Toilet Bowl Cleaner

1 quart Glass Cleaner

Clean the oven 2X

$47 Total

If you bought the same amount of pre-made cleaners the cost would be:

You save

$28!(plus health care costs!)

DO NOT

Throw your old household cleaners down the drain or in

the street!

It pollutes the water and harms aquatic life.

DISPOSE OF PROPERLY

ERIE COUNTY HOUSEHOLD HAZARDOUS WASTE DROP-OFF DAYS

FREE DISPOSAL!

Check the Erie County website for 2020 dates

or call (716) 858-6800 for more information.