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Is Your Home Safe?
Check this page as well
The evidence on the dangers of household chemicals continues to accumulate. Here are some important facts:
** The Consumer Products Safety Commission has determined that more than 150 chemicals found in ordinary household products are directly responsible for producing cancer, allergies, birth defects, and numerous psychological disorders. (SiegelMaier, p.3)
** Some 80% of people's exposure to chemicals occurs in the home. A five year study completed by the EPA concluded that many homes had chemical levels 70 times higher that that of outside air. They also reported that cleaning and personal care products commonly found in the home are three times more likely to cause cancer than outdoor air pollution. (www.search.epa.gov)
** A paper presented at the Indoor Air Conference in 1990 in Vancouver concluded that due to increased exposure to household carcinogens, housewives have a 55% greater risk of developing cancer than women who work outside of the home. (healthrecipes.com)
** It appears that pesticide concentration inside the home is greater than can be explained by in-home pesticide use, suggesting that pesticides are may be carried in from outdoors, where they collect and remain on household surfaces such as carpets and countertops. Of particular concern are products used on lawns and gardens. (www.search.epa.gov)
CLEANING PRODUCT |
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HAZARDOUS
SUBSTANCES |
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POSSIBLE HEALTH
EFFECTS |
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NATURAL
PRODUCTS |
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Air Fresheners |
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Phenol, cresol, xylene, formaldehyde, deactivate nerve endings and interfere with sense of smell, attack the liver, spleen, and pancreas. |
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Irritate lungs and eyes, |
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Essential oils. Scentball diffuser, Nebulizing diffuser. Ventilation |
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Antiseptics |
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Chlorine, phenol, cresol, formaldehyde, ammonia |
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Skin, eye and lung irritation,potential damage to kidney, liver, spleen, pancreas.
Formaldehyde is carcinogenic. |
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Essential oils and Sunshine Concentrate |
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Basin, tub, and
tile cleaners (Scrubbing bubbles) |
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Detergents, artificial fragrance, chlorine |
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Eye, skin, and throat.irritation. |
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Baking Soda and vinegar, essential oils |
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Bleach, Clorox |
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Chlorine |
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Causes severe eye and lung irritation .Toxic both through skin absorption and by inhalation. |
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Lemon juice, hydrogen peroxide |
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Cleaners
household
all-purpose |
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Ammonia, detergents, artificial fragrance, propellants |
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Skin and eye irritations, respiratory irritations. |
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Baking soda, Sunshine Concentrate, vinegar, essential oils, salt |
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Deodorizers |
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Chlorine, phenol, cresol, formaldehyde, ammonia |
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Skin, eye and lung irritation, potential damage to kidney, liver, spleen, pancreas. |
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Essential oils
Sunshine Concentrate |
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Disinfectants
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Cresol, phenol, formaldehyde |
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May cause central nervous system damage leading to irritability, depression, hyperactivity. |
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Essential oils. Vinegar and baking soda
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Dry Cleaning
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Perchloroethylene |
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Cause eye irritation, dizziness, nausea, tremors, liver and CNS damage, cancer. |
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Castile soap
Sunshine Concentrate |
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Laundry detergents |
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Phosphate |
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May irritate the skin. Estrogenic properties. |
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Sunshine Concentrate, Baking soda, Borax, White Vinegar |
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| Pesticides |
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Many |
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Carcinogenic, cause damage to the kidneys and liver. May cause CNS system damage, may be hormone disrupters. |
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Essential oils and Sunshine Concentrate |
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| Spot Remover |
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Perchloroethylene |
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Cause eye irritation, dizziness, nausea, tremors, liver and CNS damage, cancer. |
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Nature's Fresh, salt, club soda |
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Window Cleaner |
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Ammonia, Blue dye |
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Irritation fumes. Can cause skin and eye damage. |
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Sunshine Concentrate
Water, vinegar,and newspaper |
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