DANGER! POISON!

My original intent of this post was to show facts about household cleaners and their toxicity. To say the least, I was overwhelmed with the amount of information that's out there, yet most people in America continue to introduce these chemicals into their homes on a daily basis. Some even are known to contribute to indoor air pollution and cause breathing problems and allergies. I have read the following fact several places before (never with scientific evidence, but it still makes you think...) " Housewives have a 55% higher risk of getting cancer than do women working outside the home. This most likely has to do with the products they use on a daily basis." (click to go to original article on shareguide.com)

Rather than go into the specifics of each type of harmful substance in mainstream cleaners, I'll leave you with this....look for these words on your household products: DANGER. POISON. WARNING. CAUTION. Take them to heart, and keep these things out of your home. Many of these ingredients are not only toxic, but are known carcinogens

• Toxic containing or being poisonous material especially when capable of causing death or serious debilitation 

• Carcinogen a substance or agent causing cancer

Many of these products cannot be disposed of without lasting environmental effects and need to be taken to a Household Hazardous Waste center. Do NOT just throw them out, dump them out, or pour them down the drain. Many times using up what you have in small doses is the best way to get rid of them if you've already purchased them. 

So now what do you do instead? I thought I would post a series of blog posts about safer, natural alternatives - from window cleaner to laundry detergent to outdoor products. First up will be window cleaners - please check back!



Sources for more information: 
http://environmentalchemistry.com/yogi/environmental/household.html
http://www.preventcancer.com/consumers/household/carcinogens_home.htm