Cleaning products They emit a wide range of volatile organic compounds (VOCs), including some are hazardous or may undergo chemical transformations to form harmful secondary pollutants. In recent years, “Green” cleaners have become increasingly popularAssuming they are better for our health and the environment. Research showed that ‘Green’ doesn’t always mean ‘clean’.
Researchers from New York University believe better regulations are needed and greater guidance to consumers on how safe cleaning products actually are.
The study, published in the journal ‘Environmental Science: Processes & Impact’, concludes: Scented cleaning products can be potentially harmful to air quality in homes.
The question the study authors asked before starting the research was whether “green” cleaning products were better than regular products for indoor air quality. To eliminate doubt, they analyzed the VOC composition of 10 regular and 13 organic cleaners.
monoterpenes (components of the volatile essences of flowers and some of the essential oils of plants and spices) were the most common VOCs, and concentrations were found three times higher than in normal cleaners.
The researchers applied spicy monoterpene emissions to a detailed chemical model to investigate indoor air chemistry after a typical cleaning event.
cancer risk
Green cleaners generally emit more monoterpenes than regular cleaners, resulting in greater increases in concentrations of harmful secondary pollutants.Such as formaldehyde and peroxyacyl nitrates after use.
But, Emissions of the most reactive monoterpenes were observed more frequently in ordinary cleanerscaused a disproportionately large effect on the concentrations of radical species and secondary pollutants formed after cleaning.
Analysis, the ingredients Fragrances in cleaning products are a source of volatile monoterpenes. As levels of such contaminants increase in the home, Sensitive individuals may develop breathing problems or irritation of the eyes, nose, throat or skin.. Even more: Repeated exposure to high concentrations of formaldehyde can cause cancer in some cases.
“Our research concluded that there is no strong evidence to show that green and clean products are better for indoor air quality than regular products.“, emphasizes Ellen Harding-Smith, Environmental Chemistry researcher in the Department of Environment and Geography.
“There was actually very little difference. Many consumers are misled by the marketing of these products, potentially damaging the air quality in their homes and putting their health at risk.. “For many products on supermarket shelves, green does not mean clean.”
He added: “The study highlights possible compositional differences in regular and organic cleanser formulations about which little information is currently available in the existing literature.
open windows
“Manufacturers really need to be much clearer about what these products contain and how they can reduce their harm. For example, simply Improving ventilation and opening windows when using these cleaning products will ensure much better air quality in the home.“.
This study complements another study published in ‘Chemosphere’ by the ‘Environmental Working Group’ last September. Cleaning products emit hundreds of dangerous chemicals.
The scientists then analyzed 30 cleaning products, including window cleaners, all-purpose cleaners and air fresheners. They tested both conventional and ‘green’ products and detected a total of 530 unique VOCs in 30 products. Of these, 193 VOCs were hazardous and were determined to have the following characteristics: potential for harm to healthlike Damage to the respiratory system, increased risk of cancer and effects on development and reproduction.
VOCs in cleaning products affect air quality both indoors and outdoors. But they pollute indoor air two to five times more than outdoor air, and some estimates suggest it’s as much as 10 times more. Some products emit VOCs for days, weeks or even months.
The investigation concluded: Products labeled ‘Green’ emit fewer VOCs than conventional products: about half.
Eco-friendly ones classified as ‘odorless’ produced the least amount of VOC emissions: Almost eight times less than conventional products and four times less than organic products with fragrance on the label. That’s why the researchers’ advice was to choose “fragrance-free” products..
Previous studies have shown that Increased use of some household cleaners in the womb and during infancy is associated with an increased risk of childhood asthma and wheezing..
Reference work: https://pubs.rsc.org/en/content/articlelanding/2024/em/d3em00439b