Many people used to use just soap and water when they needed to clean something in the house. Today that is not the case. Why put some muscle into it when you can just spray on some 409 and wipe it off a minute later? Many people do not understand the health hazards of using these products which is why many may chose to buy so called “green products” thinking their safe. Unfortunately, this is not the case. It all has to do with what is called “glycol ethers.”
Glycol ethers are put into these products because they are very strong grease cutters. Glycol ethers can cause anemia, intoxication, and irritate the eyes and nose. And the worst about glycol ethers is someone does not have to inhale them for it to enter the body. It can penetrate your skin.
What can one do to protect themselves? First off make sure the room is well ventilated and then purchase some nitrile plastic gloves (it can penetrate rubber and vinyl gloves). Or one can do something much simpler which is to use the good old soap and water.
Title: If You Knew How Dangerous Green Cleaning Products Were, You’d Probably Go Back to Soap and Water
Publication: Alternet, November 23, 2010
Author: Monona Rossol
URL:http://www.alternet.org/environment/148963/if_you_knew_how_dangerous_green_cleaning_products_were,_you’d_probably_go_back_to_soap_and_water
Faculty Evaluator: Cynthia Boaz, Sonoma State University
Student Researcher: Jason Corbett, Sonoma State University