Using chemicals in your home can cause more damage than you realize. You may not be aware, but you are using hazardous chemicals on a daily basis, from the smallest job of cleaning your bathroom to larger jobs such as shampooing your carpet. We have listed below common household chores, the chemicals attributed with these chores and the effects these may cause.
Task Associated
Type of Cleaner
Chemicals used
Effects
Cleaning your windows, glass or mirrors
Window Cleaner
Ammonia, Butox Ethanol
Tumors, liver damage, bone marrow damage, reproductive disorders
Washing dishes
Dishwashing Liquid
Ethanol, Formaldehyde, Ammonia, Glycol Ethers
Asthma symptoms, toxic fumes
Washing dishes - using a dishwasher
Automatic Dishwashing Powder
Bleach, Sodium Silicate
Irritation of the lungs, central nervous system disorders
Washing dishes - using a dishwasher
Automatic Dishwashing Liquid
Ethol Alcohol, Bleach, Heavy Fragrances
Irritation of the lungs, central nervous system depression, nausea, and in severe cases death
Cleaning your bathroom, sinks, stoves, counters, and bathtubs
All Purpose Cleaner
Ammonia, 2-Butoxy Ethanol, Phenol
Kidney and liver damage, cancer, reproductive disoders, chronic lung irritation
Cleaning your bathroom, sinks, stoves, counters, and bathtubs
Scouring Powder with Bleach
Bleach, Quartz Silicate
Inhalation of Quartz Silicate may cause cancer due to toxic fumes being released.
Cleaning your bathroom, kitchen, counter tops
Powdered Bleach
Bleach
Lung irritation, asthma symptoms
Cleaning toilet bowls, abthtubs, counters, sinks
Disinfectant Cleaner
Formaldehyde, 2-Butoxy Ethanol, Phenol
Cancer, kidney damage, liver damage, reproductive disorders, central nervous system disorders
General cleaning of toilet bowls, sinks, counter tops, and laundry
Liquid Bleach
Bleach
Vapors may interfere with brain function, casuse heart conditions, asthma, and affect reproductive system
General cleaning of toilet
Toilet Bowl Cleaner
Toxic
Vapors have been known to interfere with brain function, produce asthmatic like symptoms, cause muscle spasms, damage blood tissue and cause reproductive disorders
Cleaning of bathtub, tiles, sinks and grout
Basin, Tub, and Tile Cleaner
2-Butoxy Ethanol, Ammonia
May cause tumors, liver damage, kidney damage, reproductive disorders, and central nervous system disorders
Removing hard water stains from your sinks, tiles, and bathtub
Hard Water Remover
Lye, Bleach, and Acids
Lung irritation, cause heart attacks, asthma, bronchitis, central nervous system disorders