We are all using cleaning products. They encompass a large variety of household chemicals including laundry detergents, dishwashing detergents, softeners, toilet cleaners, glass cleaners, polishers - to name just a few. Of course, cleaning products are needed, but how safe are they?

Let's take a look at Fragrances in Cleaning Products that are Complex Mixtures that May Include Toxic or Hazardous Chemicals

Cleaning products are made up of complex mixtures of chemicals, some of which may pose serious health risks. Apart from the detergent components (such as surfactants), many chemicals may be added to a cleaning product to provide a nice smell or neutralize bad smells. These are fragrance compounds. Approximately 2500 substances are used in fragrances, which may contain from 10 to more than 300 different chemical compounds. While the number of individual chemicals in cleaning product fragrances vary, even the so-called "green" products or products with no smell were found to contain fragrance chemicals. So, the lack of smell in a cleaning product does not necessarily mean it contains no fragrance chemicals. The fragrance chemicals may still be present in order to eliminate bad smells.

Fragrance Chemicals May Not Be Disclosed on Product Labels

One may wonder that such a large number of chemicals potentially present in cleaning products would certainly attract attention on the product label. However, U.S. regulations do not necessarily require disclosure of all ingredients in a consumer product, or of any ingredients in a mixture called "fragrance." In addition, fragrance formulas are considered trade secrets and components that make up the fragrance portion of the product are not revealed on labels. Therefore, the fragrance chemicals may not be listed on the product label. This was recently found to be the case in other countries such as Greece - with most fragrance chemicals found to be lacking from tested product labels.

People May Be Exposed to Chemicals from Cleaning Products in Several Ways Including Direct Skin Contact and Inhalation of Volatilized Compounds

Disclosed or not, some of the fragrance chemicals may be harmful to humans and are classified as toxic or hazardous under U.S. federal laws. Many of the chemicals used in fragrances are synthetic compounds derived from petroleum. They include benzene derivatives, aldehydes and many other known toxics and sensitizers capable of causing cancer, birth defects, central nervous system disorders and allergic reactions. Fragrance is increasingly cited as a trigger in health conditions such as asthma, allergies and migraine headaches. In addition, some fragrance materials have been found to accumulate in adipose tissue and are present in breast milk. Other materials are suspected of being hormone disruptors.

Consumers may be exposed to these toxic chemicals in several ways, particularly through direct skin contact and by breathing the vapors of these chemicals released in the air. Let us consider each of these potential exposure pathways. The first one involves the use of the products with direct skin contact possibly occurring each time the product is used. The second pathway certainly happens when the products are used, but it can also happen in between uses - depending on where and how the products are stored and how much of the indoor air gets exchanged/replaced periodically. In general, the potential inhalation pathway may become more important than skin exposure.

While people may get exposed to harmful chemicals potentially present in cleaning products, this may not necessarily translate in any type of harm. As is well known, the dose makes the poison, or, in other words, the exposure needs to reach a certain level to trigger any health risk. Both the duration of the exposure (e.g., the time toxic vapors are breathed in) and the amount of chemicals to which people are exposed (e.g. the concentration of the toxic vapors from the breathing area) contribute to the potential risk.

While no studies have addressed such potential health risks, here are some tips that should help minimize any potential exposure to toxic fragrance chemicals in cleaning products:

• Cleaning products should be kept in tightly-closed containers and in cool enclosed spaces away from the normal breathing zone. For example, keeping all cleaning products in a closet in the garage or a room where little time is spent by the home inhabitants may be the most important step toward minimizing any potential risks posed by chemicals in cleaning products. Alternatively, keeping such products in well-ventilated places may also reduce exposure risks. Keeping such products in containers that are not tightly closed and which are placed in open spaces within the bathroom or bedroom may be a bad idea, since vapors may escape even from closed containers and without producing an obvious smell. Such vapors may be continuously breathed in by inhabitants spending a longer time in these rooms. Keep in mind that higher temperatures are typically associated with higher volatilization rates, so cool storing places are always better.

• Minimize the use of cleaning products, or even eliminate them altogether if not absolutely necessary, to reduce or eliminate any potential exposure to toxic components. While laundry detergents may not be avoided, other types of cleanings products such as toilet cleaners, glass cleaners or softeners could be rarely or not at all used. Instead, soap and water may provide safer alternatives.

• Wear gloves while using any cleaning product and a face mask to substantially reduce the risk of any potential exposure to harmful components.

• Keep the room where such products are used well ventilated.

So, In Conclusion Are Cleaning Products Safe?

We don't know for sure if regular use is entirely safe. We do know that, in large quantities, many of these products are harmful to us and the environment. Even in lower doses, fragrance compounds may pose emerging health and environmental concerns. Until more detailed studies dealing with potential exposure risks from cleaning products become available, potential risks exist when cleaning products are used. Consumers and companies alike need to push for such studies. However, using and storing cleaning products wisely (see the tips provided in this article) could minimize or eliminate such potential risks, while you can still enjoy the benefits that make cleaning products so popular.

To find Green Clean Companies you can search the IJCSA Green Cleaning Directory and get the assistance you need to start living safe.