Have you ever thought to yourself what’s in your cleaning products? Have you ever wondered why you get headaches or feel ill every time you clean even though you follow the directions exactly, you wear gloves, and you open the windows? No one should assume that their cleaning products are safe even with the words "fragrance-free", "clean and fresh", “eco”, and “green” on the label. Many cleaning products use chemicals linked to pregnancy complications, cancer, and asthma and these ingredients could be lurking in your favorite cleaning brand.
What exactly are the harmful ingredients in cleaning products?
A few of these harmful ingredients include phthalates (which can cause hormone disruption and pregnancy complications), toluene (which has been linked to pregnancy complications, birth defects, and developmental delays in children), and 1,4-dioxane (which has been linked to breast cancer). There are safer alternatives, but companies don't choose to use them. And since cleaning product companies are not required to share all of their ingredients on the label, some of these ingredients will be hidden under a common term like "fragrance", which is considered a trade secret in the industry, and as a result its contents do not have to be disclosed. Unfortunately, even if the label states "fragrance-free" these chemicals can still be found at harmful levels.
About the Cleaning Product Right to Know Act of 2011
Representative Steve Israel (D-NY) introduced the Cleaning Product Right to Know Act of 2011 to Congress on November 17, 2011. Co-sponsors include Representatives Timothy Bishop (D, NY-1), Diana DeGette (D, CO-1), Raul Grijalva (D, AZ-7), Nita Lowey (D, NY-18), and Timothy Ryan (D, OH-17).
Having this bill passed will mean big changes for cleaning products. According to the Act, companies will have to completely and accurately list all ingredients on the label and on their product websites, including the ingredients used in dyes, fragrances, and preservatives. A couple of exceptions to this rule will be ingredients that are completely undetectable and true trade secrets. Trade secrets would still be allowed, however, the standard for a company claiming to have a trade secret would be much much higher.
The ingredients posted on the product's website would be reviewed by the manufacturer every 120 days to ensure they are still accurately reflected. Any potential adverse health effects associated with each ingredient would be listed as well.
Also under the Act, there will be a public right to know petition, meaning if anyone in the general public feels a cleaning product is not up to standard according to the new policies, they are allowed to file a petition with the Commission and it will be investigated and appropriate action taken.
Any violations of the Act could result in penalties of $30,000,000.
Support the Cleaning Product Right to Know Act of 2011
Remember cleaning products are used EVERYWHERE - homes, nursing homes, schools, hospitals, churches, grocery stores, gyms, wellness centers, spas, etc. Everyone deserves to know what they are being exposed to.
To support the Cleaning Product Right to Know Act of 2011 click here.
Sources
- H.R.3457 - Cleaning Product Right to Know Act of 2011. Accessed February 1, 2012.
- Scranton, Alexandra. Dirty Secrets:What's Hiding in Your Cleaning Products? November 2011.
- Women's Voices for the Earth. Accessed February 1, 2012.
Serena Smith-Williams - Serena Smith-Williams truly believes your own personal lifestyle does not have to be compromised in order to live healthy and well.
