How healthy are your cleaners?
Even some cleaning products billed as being "green" contain dangerous chemicals reveals a new guide released by the Environmental Working Group (EWG). "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 antibiotic resistant superbugs. For more information and the complete 2000-product guide, check out their website www.ewg.org.
