How healthy are your cleaners?
Even some cleaning products billed as being "green" contain dangerous chemicals a new guide released by the Environmental Working Group (EWG) reports. "Quite a few cleaning products that line store shelves are packed with toxic chemicals that can wreak havoc with your health, including many that harm the lungs," EWG senior scientist Rebecca Sutton said in statement. "The good news is, there are plenty of cleaning products that will get the job done without exposing you to hazardous substances."
EWG analyzed over 2000 household cleaning products and rated them for safety. They found that over 53% of the products tested contained chemicals that are harmful to the lungs and 22% can trigger asthma. Some common cleaners contain formaldehyde and chloroform, known human carcinogens. Drain and oven cleaners often use caustic chemicals that can burn the eyes and skin.
They also found many products don't adequately reveal their ingredients. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) requires labeling on food, cosmetics, and drugs but according to EWG, cleaning products can use general terms such as "solvent" or "surfactant." They estimate that only seven percent of cleaners fully disclose their contents.
EWG's Worst Products List
EWG created a "hall of shame" for their worst rated products. They based their low grades on a number of factors including toxicity, inadequate labeling, and "greenwashing"--which means false claims that products are environmentally friendly and do not pose health risks. Some of these cleaners contain chemicals that are banned abroad. Click on Hall of Shame for specific information on each product.
Simple Green Concentrated Cleaner
Mop and Glo Multi-Surface Floor Cleaner
Target's Up and Up Toilet Cleaner
Whink Rust Stain Remover
Citra-Solv Cleaner and Degreaser
Spic and Span Multi-Surface and Floor Cleaner
Scrubbing Bubbles Anti-Bacterial Bathroom Cleaner and Extend-a-Clean Mega Shower Foamer
DampRid Mildew Stain Remover Plus Blocker
Easy-Off Fume Free Over Cleaner
Drano Extra Strength Kitchen Crystals Clog Remover
Walmart Great Value Heavy Duty Oven Cleaner
CVS Fume Free Oven Cleaner
Easy-Off Heavy Duty Oven Cleaner Aerosol Spray
Glade Air Freshener
Air Wick Air Freshener
Spot Shots Stain Remover
Lysol Disinfectant Power Toilet Bowl Cleaner
2000 Flushes Toilet Bowl Cleaner
X-14 Toilet Bowl Cleaner
Hagarty Liquid Jewel Clean
Ajax, Dynamo, and Fab Ultra Liquid Laundry Detergents
Static Guard
Final Touch Ultra Liquid Fabric Softener
Clorox, Fantastik, Febreze, Formula 409, Easy-Off, Lysol, Mr. Clean and Spic and Span spray cleaners
Comet Disinfectant Cleanser Powder
Lysol Neutra Air Freshmatic
Air Wick Freshmatic Compact
Febreze and Glade Automatic Air Fresheners
EWG's Top Rated Cleaning Products
Their top rated products include:
Seventh Generation Automatic Dishwasher Detergent Concentrated Pacs, Free & Clear
Method Smarty Dishwasher Detergent
Whole Foods 365 Everyday Value Automatic Dishwasher Detergent
Whole Foods Liquid Dish Soap
Aussan Natural All Purpose Cleaner
Green Shield Organic Bathroom Cleaner
Mrs. Meyers Clean Day Bathroom Cleaner
Seventh Generation Tub and Tile Cleaner
Whole Food Market Glass Cleaner
Green Shield Organic Glass Cleaner
Martha Stewart Clean Wood Floor Cleaner
Arm and Hammer Super Washing Soda Detergent
Lysol Cling on Toilet Bowl Deodorizer and Cleaner
Seventh Generation Natural Toilet Bowl Cleaner
As a general rule, EWG recommends consumers avoid purchasing any product labeled "danger" or "harmful if swallowed." They also discourage the use of antibacterial cleaners since they may encourage the development of antibiotics resistant superbugs. For more information and the complete 2000-product guide, check out their website www.ewg.org.
