With the winter in full-swing, people are spending more and more time indoors. But while you keep warm indoors, you may be unknowingly exposing yourself to a different kind of danger.

A study by the EPA found that the air inside the home was 2 to 5 times more polluted than the air outside. Household cleaning products are partly to blame. Many of these products contain chemicals with dangerous health effects, including chlorine and VOCs (volatile organic compounds). Chlorine and its derivatives are highly corrosive chemicals, capable of damaging the eyes, skin, and lungs. VOCs can cause several short term health effects including dizziness and headache. They have also been linked to cancer.

According to Mary Johnson of Soy Safe Products, "people should be most concerned about kitchen and bathroom products." They often contain the harshest chemicals, and poorly ventilated spaces--like showers--can intensify exposure. In particular, avoid buying oven cleaners, drain cleaners, and acid-based toilet bowl cleaners.

Shopping for safe cleaning products can be a challenge. Federal laws do not require cleaning products to list their ingredients, and words like "non-toxic" have no specific meaning. Take warnings such as Poison, Danger, and Caution seriously. Look for products that list all of their ingredients and don't contain chlorine or chlorine derivatives, petroleum based substances, or phosphates. You can also explore homemade solutions using common items like baking soda, vinegar, and lemon juice.

Links

Homemade Drain Opener Recipe

Soy Safe Products


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