Dallas-Fort Worth, North Central Texas
Toxins in Chemical Cleaners
Switching to Sustainable Cleansers

Toxins:

We are turning our homes into toxic dumps and destroying our health with:

1. Carcinogens: Chemicals that cause cancer

2. Teratogens: Chemicals that cause birth defects

3. Developmental/Reproductive Toxicants: Chemicals that damage reproductive tissues or interfere with the normal development of a fetus, infant, or child.

4. Endocrine Disrupters: Chemicals that interfere with normal hormone functions. This can lead to premature puberty in girls, feminization in males, and can probably lead to weight gain.

5. Antibacterials are not actually a toxin but their use can have negative impacts on our health, planet, and pocketbook just as toxins do.

A little background: Alcohol is an antibacterial as is hydrogen peroxide. Both of those kill all forms of bacteria, good and bad, then disperse into the environment and are gone.

Some antibacterial products are different in that they leave surface residues that continue to kill bacteria, but not necessarily all of them.

At first, this sounds like an advantage but it can be a problem.

If not all of the bacteria are killed, a small subpopulation of resistant bacteria can grow as the weaker bacteria perish. Unfortunately, there is potential here for also developing a tolerance for certain antibiotics.

This phenomenon, called cross-resistance, has already been demonstrated in several laboratory studies using triclosan, one of the most common chemicals found in antibacterial hand cleaners, dishwashing liquids, soaps, and other wash products.

When we overuse antibacterials, germs become resistant to the chemicals we use to kill them. Medical professionals fear this will give rise to super germs that are resistant to antibacterials and even antibiotics. We are beginning to see that in hospitals now.

But that is just the beginning.

Triclosin causes skin irritation and allergies. It stays in the environment a long time. It can break down to dioxin in surface water like lakes and creeks. Keep in mind that DFW water comes almost exclusively from surface water like reservoir lakes.

A 2005 study reported in the journal Environment Science and Technology found that triclosan breaks down rapidly in warm chlorinated water to form toxic chemicals including chloroform. Most of us shower, bathe, wash dishes, and wash our hands in warm chlorinated water.

Other health links have been found, too. More information about triclosan and its close chemical cousin triclocarban.

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Note: Before using these green cleansers, try them in an unobtrusive place to make certain they do no damage.

Note: The opinions expressed herein are exclusively those of the writers or other participants and do not necessarily reflect the position of CyberParent. They are not intended to take the place of, or the advice of, a health, legal, or other professional whose expertise you might need to seek.