Chemicals You Avoid

Chemicals used in conventional cleaning products and the associated health and environment issues

Petroleum derived surfactants and waxes

Suspected human carcinogen; contaminate blood; can damage immune, cardiovascular, reproductive, and respiratory systems.

Phosphates

Major water pollutant; encourages the growth of algae which eventually depletes the supply of oxygen in the water and leads to the death of fish and other organisms.

1,4-dioxane

Carcinogen; may cause cancer and suppress the immune system.

Formaldehyde

Skin, eye, nose mouth, throat and lung irritant; can lead to skin allergies, asthma attacks, and pulmonary edema

Caustics

Skin and eye irritant; pollutant

Chlorine bleach

Deadly; corrosive; lung, skin and eye irritant

Ammonia

Lung, skin and eye irritant; can cause bronchitis, pneumonia, chemical burns, cataracts, corneal damage, skin cancer

Sodium hypochlorate

Deadly; corrosive; lung, skin and eye irritant; responsible for the most household poisonings in the US

Phenol

Highly toxic; severely irritates and burns skin, eye, nose, mouth, throat, and lungs; internal consumption can lead to circulatory collapse, convulsions, cold sweats, coma, and death

Artificial fragrances

Skin irritant; headaches, sneezing, and watery eyes; induce or worsen respiratory problems

Petroleum solvents, petroleum detergents

Suspected human carcinogen, contaminate blood; can damage immune, cardiovascular, reproductive, and respiratory systems

Hydrochloric acid

Dissolves and destroys tender tissues; eye, nose, and throat irritant

Phosphoric acid

Eye, skin, and respiratory irritant; air and water pollutant

Synthetic oils

Eye irritant; asthma

Petroleum distillates

Suspected human carcinogen responsible for atmospheric emissions that contribute to global warming; can damage immune, cardiovascular, reproductive, and respiratory systems

Phthalates

Hormone disrupters

Sulphuric acid

 Corrosive; can cause burns, eye damage and blindness.