Originally Published July 20, 2012Â Â Many home cleaning products, unless 
organic, are exposing us to an array of chemical toxins that negatively affect our bodies and contaminate the environment. The following list identifies a few of these toxins. Avoid cleaners containing these chemicals – go green!
Ammonia
- pungent odor cleaning agent that cuts through grease and kills bacteria
- found in glass and other cleaners
- causes eye, skin, and lung irritation; violent coughing and pulmonary edema; severe skin burns
Butane
- aerosol propellant
- found in oven cleaners
- causes hallucinations, asphyxia,ventricular fibrillation, cardiac arrhythmia, motor skill issues
Butyl Glycol or 2Butoxyethanol
- sweet smelling chemical solvent
- found in glass cleaners
- causes nose and eye irritation; headaches, vomiting, metallic taste in mouth; sufficient amounts in the bloodstream cause collapse of red blood cells
Diethanolamine
- delays the evaporation of other chemicals
- found in oven cleaners
- causes eye, skin and respiratory irritation
Diethylene Glycol Monobutyl Ether
- slows down the evaporation rate of other chemicals
- found in oven and glass cleaners
- causes eye and skin irritation
Ethanol/SD Alcohol 40
- an astringent
- found in glass cleaners
- causes eye and respiratory irritation; issues with the central nervous system
Ethylene glycol n-hexyl ether
- a solvent and a preservative
- found in glass cleaners and air fresheners
- causes eye and respiratory irritation; issues with the kidneys and central nervous system which can result in renal failure and brain injury
Formaldehyde
- a disinfectant and a preservative
- found in air fresheners and dishwasher detergents
- causes respiratory and gastrointestinal issues; skin irritations; cancer in animals
Hydrochloric Acid
- a strong corrosive
- found in toilet bowl cleaners
- causes respiratory and gastrointestinal issues; skin irritation
Isobutane
- highly volatile, colorless gas; has a gasoline-like or natural gas odor
- used in glass and carpet cleaners
- causes effects on the cardiovascular system, resulting in impaired functions and respiratory failure; exposure at high levels may result in death
Isopropanol or Isopropyl Alcohol
- colorless, volatile organic compound (VOC)
- used in glass cleaners
- causes irritation to the respiratory tract
Naphthalene
- a cleanser and a pesticide
- found in toilet bowl cleaners
- causes skin and eye irritation; reproductive issues
Monoethanolamine
- grease cutting solvent
- found in oven and glass cleaners
- gives off a scent like ammonia that irritates the eyes, the skin, and the respiratory tract; causes headaches, nosebleeds, and cancer; can effect the central nervous system
Oxalic Acid
- caustic cleanser
- found in toilet bowl cleaners
- causes skin and eye irritation; gastrointestinal & reproductive issues
P-Dichlorobenzene
- a fungicide and a bactericide
- found in air fresheners
- causes respiratory function problems; eye & gastrointestinal irritation; environmental toxicity
Phosphates
- softens hard water and strengthens cleaning power of other chemicals
- found in detergents
- causes toxicity our water environment as it causes a rapid growth of algae hat reduces the amount of oxygen in water; residue left on dishes cause health problems such as nausea, diarrhea, and skin irritations
Sodium Hypochlorite or Chlorine Bleach
- disinfecting properties
- found in dishwasher detergents
- causes eye, respiratory, and skin irritations; stomach disorders; overuse causes bacteria resistance that can interfere with human immune system
Sodium Hydroxide
- corrosive used to soften grime allowing it to be wiped away
- found in oven and toilet bowl cleaners
- causes eye and respiratory irritation; skin burns
- creates the suds
- found in detergents & air fresheners
- causes eye & skin irritation; environmental toxicity
