Study finds cancer-linked chemicals emitted by household cleaning products, including ‘green’ ones.
Did you know that many household cleaning products, including those labeled as eco-friendly and “green,” could actually be harmful to humans? A recent peer-reviewed study titled “Volatile organic compounds emitted by conventional and ‘green’ cleaning products in the U.S. market” revealed some shocking findings.
As part of their study, researchers from the non-profit Environmental Working Group (EWG) analyzed 28 cleaning products and two air fresheners for hazardous human-made chemicals known as volatile organic compounds (VOCs). They checked the air quality impacts of the products and measured the number, concentrations, and emission factors of VOCs.
The cleaning products used in the study consisted of various cleaners, including all-purpose, carpet, floor, glass, and wood cleaners, as well as laundry stain removers. The researchers purchased these items from online retailers between December 2019 and May 2022.
Out of the 30 products analyzed, 14 were standard conventional household cleaning products, while nine were fragranced “green” items. Another seven were fragrance-free cleaning products marketed as ”green.”
“Exposure to cleaning products has been associated with harm to the respiratory system, neurotoxicity, harm to the reproductive system, and elevated risk of cancer, with greatest adverse impacts for workers exposed in an occupational setting,” researchers wrote.
Health Effects of VOCs
Overall, researchers detected 530 unique VOCs in all 30 of the products, including eco-friendly “green” products with and without fragrances, they said.
Of these 530 VOCs, 193 were considered health hazards based on either California’s Department of Toxic Substances Control Candidate Chemicals List or the European Chemical Agency’s Classification and Labeling Inventory.
VOCs are commonly found in everyday household cleaning products and can have short- and long-term adverse health effects. They can cause headaches, loss of coordination, nausea, and even damage to the liver, kidneys, and central nervous system. Some VOCs are also known to cause cancer in humans.
According to their study, researchers with EWG found that “green” products still emitted VOCs but at a lower level than their non-green counterparts.
‘Wake-up Call for Consumers’
“Greater total concentration, total emission factors, and numbers of VOCs were generally observed in conventional cleaning products compared to products identified as ‘green’, particularly compared to fragrance-free products,” researchers wrote.
This study serves as a wake-up call for consumers. While “green” products may reduce exposure to VOC emissions, it’s important to be aware that they still emit VOCs. So, when it comes to choosing cleaning products, it’s crucial to prioritize safety and consider fragrance-free options.
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