This site
is packed with information regarding the many reasons to go green and the
products you need to do it. The top reasons to clean green are the
environmental and health impacts it can create.
Of course
the environmental impacts seem obvious… no chemicals! However, a less obvious
impact of the chemically infused cleaners is that the packaging they come in is
also a big issue. Greenchoices.org describes why the packaging can create big
issues for our environment as well:
“Not only are there
innumerable products but they come in a great range of packages. Many products
used to come in aerosol cans, containing a propellant gas, often
chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs), which, although non-toxic and chemically inert,
were proven to damage the ozone layer. The Montreal Protocol set targets for
reductions in CFC use and most aerosols now use ‘ozone-friendly’ propellants.
But aerosol cans still contain a high proportion of packaging to contents and
are not easy to recycle. Many products come in plastic containers, which are
light and durable and can be recycled in some areas, but otherwise are very
slow to biodegrade. You may be able to buy refills, and buying concentrated
products or in bulk also reduces the amount of packaging.”
The
packaging can be damaging to our ozone layer and it also contributes to our
overflowing landfills. This in turn affects not only our environment, but also
our health! The ozone layer is an important layer of our atmosphere separating
us from the harmful rays radiating from the sun.
Still need convincing? Besides these important health
factors, the chemicals in cleaning products can create serious health problems
as well. As greenchoices.org informs us,
“When consumed or
absorbed through the skin, they may have harmful effects, be toxic, cause
cancer or cause birth defects.”
In addition, the
chemicals in cleaning products can be very damaging to our environment, which,
by default, can also lead to health issues. Greenchoices.org notes,
“The major concern
is the chemicals which cleaning products contain. There are thousands of
chemicals in common use and many have not been tested for safety, though the
effects of many are known. They may pollute streams and rivers and may take a
long time to degrade into harmless products. Some may not break down at all but
may persist in the environment. These may enter the food chain, being eaten by
aquatic creatures and perhaps eventually by us.”
Some cleaning products are so toxic that action must be taken.
Greenchoices.org stated,
“Greenpeace’s
‘Chemical Home’ campaign sought a ban on the use of the most toxic products.
Greenpeace identified domestic products that frequently contain chemicals from
the European Union list of chemicals “Of Very High Concern”. These may be found
in carpets and curtains, toys and televisions, computers, cosmetics and
perfumes, but rarely labeled and never seen.”
Luckily, a
few breakthroughs have occurred. One example is as greenchoices.org states,
“Detergents
are all now biodegradable, though some may break down quicker than others, but
they often contain chemicals which may cause problems. Phosphates can cause
eutrophication, upsetting the balance of nutrients in rivers and streams, while
many products also contain enzymes, bleaches, brighteners and perfumes. People
with sensitive skin or allergies may find these substances may aggravate their
condition.”
As you can see, there is still a lot
of work to be done to improve our environment and protect our health. By making
just one small life change and switching to green cleaners, as Ghandi said, you
could “be the change you want to see in the world”.
***Note: The Department of Transportation
Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration has an excel spreadsheet available that alphabetically
lists hazardous chemicals and rates how dangerous each chemical is considered. A link to the website is available by clicking here.
- Aimee Engle
http://www.greenchoices.org/green-living/cleaning/environmental-impacts
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