By Melissa Sargent
We've packed up the holiday decorations, our house guests have all gone home, and we are ready to take on our new year’s resolutions. A little power cleaning and a few sprays of a fresh scent might seem like a great way to start anew. But before you pull out the disinfectant or plug in the pine mountain scent, think about what may be sealed up inside the house with you and your family.
Our houses are filled with potentially dangerous substances. While performing everyday tasks, such as cleaning or scenting the air, we may release harmful chemicals. And without exposure to sunlight or other elements, these chemicals do not break down. They stick around. In fact, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has found that levels of pollutants, called volatile organic compounds (VOCs), can be hundreds times higher indoors than outdoors. VOC levels in the average home are two to five times higher than in the air outside.
The good news is we do not have to compromise our health to have a clean home that smells fresh. A few easy changes can improve your indoor environment so you have a truly fresh, clean start, knowing neither you nor your children or friends are breathing in the bad stuff.
“Our houses are filled with potentially dangerous substances. While performing everyday tasks, such as cleaning or scenting the air, we may release harmful chemicals.”
Cleaning Products
Avoid cleaners and other household products tattooed with “Danger” or “Poison.” The EPA has identified these products as highly toxic, meaning a few drops to a teaspoon could kill the average person. Products labeled with “Warning” are considered moderately toxic (a teaspoon to an ounce is lethal). Slightly toxic products contain the word “Caution” (over one ounce is lethal). But remember, even some of the milder cleaning products are still labeled with “Caution” since they are not meant to go on the skin or in the eyes.
The word “Flammable” on the label indicates the product may contain VOCs (volatile organic compounds). “Organic” in this case means carbon-based. Since carbon burns, many VOC-containing products are flammable. VOCs are “volatile” because they evaporate readily at room temperature. VOCs are common in household products like cleansers, disinfectants, degreasers, furniture oil, spot remover, rug cleaners, and air fresheners. These products may contain over one hundred different VOCs, such as formaldehyde, benzene, acetone, and trichloroethylene, with an average of 17 VOCs per product.
Exposure to VOCs could result in a headache, irritation of the eyes, nose, or throat, as well as trouble concentrating. More pronounced reactions can include dizziness, lack of coordination, stomach pains, worsened asthma symptoms, and even an increased risk of developing childhood asthma. According to the EPA, some VOCs “…are suspected of causing, or are known to cause, cancer in humans.” Dozens of VOCs are classified as toxic or hazardous under U.S. federal laws yet are generally not listed on product labels.
Absorb Odors, Don’t Mask
Carpet, furniture, or pet beds: sprinkle a layer of baking soda. Leave for 15 minutes and vacuum. Optional: Add dried lavender flowers or other herbs to baking soda.
Refrigerator: inside place an open bowl of vinegar or a vented baking soda box.
Trash cans: sprinkle baking soda or crumble up newspaper on the bottom.
Sneakers, closets, or anywhere: pebbles or granules of zeolite (available at pet supply stores).
Cat boxes: baking soda or zeolite.
Carpet odors and stains: remove stains and odors on or carpet or furniture with white vinegar, or products from Earth Friendly, Seventh Generation, or Naturally It’s Clean (Michigan company).
“Avoid cleaners and other household products tattooed with ‘Danger’ or ‘Poison.’ The EPA has identified these products as highly toxic, meaning a few drops to a teaspoon could kill the average person.”
Opt for products that list their ingredients. And look for words you can pronounce, like citric acid, acetic acid, sodium bicarbonate, coconut oil, and vegetable glycerin — not hazardous chlorine bleach or polyethylene glycol (linked to cancer and reproductive harm), 2-butoxyethanol (a suspected neurotoxicant and blood, liver, and kidney toxicant), DMDM hydantoin or triclosan (both linked to cancer). Or make your own with ingredients like baking soda, vinegar, and liquid castile soap. It’s a great way to save money and cut down on the number of products stored in under the sink.
Air Fresheners
Synthetic air fresheners, including sprays, plug-ins, fragranced candles, scented oils, and perfumed potpourri literally pump harmful VOCs into the air. In addition, in order to dissolve and stabilize solutions, synthetic fragrances commonly contain phthalates (thal-ates), a class of chemicals linked to birth defects, asthma, and allergies.
Instead of masking an offensive odor, try using baking soda, vinegar, or the mineral zeolite to absorb odors. Regarding VOCs in air fresheners, cleaners, and personal care products, Claudia Miller, an allergist and immunologist at the University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio says, “The best smell is no smell.”
“Instead of masking an offensive odor, try using baking soda, vinegar, or the mineral zeolite to absorb odors.”
Candles
{C}Besides avoiding synthetic fragrances in candles, look for beeswax, soy or palm oil wax, which last longer and burn cleaner than paraffin (petroleum) wax. And be aware of vague terms such as “soy-based.” This claim could mean that the product still contains paraffin wax, synthetic fragrance, and other chemicals.
Simple Solutions
Ventilate — If possible, especially while using potentially harmful products. Newer homes (those built in the 1970s or after) are more air tight than older homes. Just cracking open the windows on mildly warm days helps.
Read Labels — Use household products that are less toxic or non-toxic. Avoid products labeled with “Danger” and “Poison” and “Flammable.” Try to stick with products that have simple and fewer ingredients.
Do it Yourself — Make a soft scrub paste with 1/4 cup baking soda, 3 tablespoons liquid castile soap, and 1 tablespoon water. Or use a 50/50 solution of white vinegar and water as a disinfecting spray.
Unplug — Stop using scented plug-ins and synthetic fragrances. Remember: Baking soda and vinegar absorb odors instead of masking them.
Freshen the Air Naturally — Try these:
- Real evergreen swags and wreaths release fresh woodsy smells.
- Orange and clove pomanders give off a warm spice and citrus smell. To make, simply poke small holes into an orange (knitting needles or thin nails work well) and fill the holes with cloves. Hang with a ribbon.
- Boil cinnamon sticks, cloves, or a dried-up pomander on the stove (do not leave unattended).
- Topiaries of rosemary or Meyer lemon trees fill a room with invigorating aromas.
- Bake! Whether made from scratch or a box, pies, muffins, and other baked goods always make a house smell inviting.
- Use essential oils. Add 10 to 20 drops of your favorite natural essential oil to an 8-ounce spray bottle of distilled water.
- Common houseplants, such as English ivy, peace lily, spiderplant, and others, absorb indoor air pollutants.
Learn more:
www.ecocenter.org/lmg
www.ewg.org/guides/cleaners
Melissa Cooper Sargent, B.S., is an Environmental Health Educator at the Ecology Center. She graduated from University of Michigan’s School of Natural Resources and Environment in 2000. Since then she has been advocating for a healthier environment for us all and educating individuals, families, and professionals on ways to avoid toxics in their daily lives. For more information please visit www.ecocenter.org/lmg or contactmelissas@ecocenter.org.
