An Asthma Article: The Smell of CleanThis asthma article is different from most. I'm not trying to describe asthma or it's symptoms to you, but I want to call your attention to something that may be affecting your child's health without you even knowing. This is an asthma article and and an environmental article because the two go hand-in-hand for our young son. Read on to see if the same may be true for you:
The Smell of Clean: An Asthma Article By a Concerned MomThere is a bright sheen on the recently scrubbed floor, the tub and tile glisten, and the scent of cleaners fills the air. The home sparkles and is germ free – but is it safe?Our nation is beginning to take notice of the dangers and risks of exposure related to chemical cleaners commonly found in the home. Reports of poisonings from household cleaners and the effects of pollutants on the environment have become so common they are often barely noticed in a society that is quick to embrace any new product that will easily wash away the visible signs of dirt and germs. One wonders if the very chemicals we trust to make our homes safer may actually be doing more harm than good. In past generations, the number of chemicals used in the home was limited to a few varieties and uses. Times have changed - we now have a vast selection to choose from for almost any task and assume that products sold for home use are safe as long as package directions are followed. This assumption is not surprising given the attention we place on the safety of other products our families come into contact with, such as food and toys. Today, however, there are about 80,000 chemicals registered with the EPA but less than 20% of them have been tested for toxicity1,2. Children, due to their size and other factors, are especially vulnerable to the long-term effects of chemical exposure2. More attention is being given to indoor air quality, especially since chronic diseases like asthma are on the rise across the nation. In addition to the health risks associated with chemical cleaners, their impact on the environment is also well known. The EPA has designated the following household cleaning products as hazardous waste: oven cleaners, drain cleaners, wood/metal cleaners, toilet cleaners, tub/tile cleaners, laundry bleach3. The idea of going ‘green’ is now widely accepted, as can be seen by the visibility given to environmentally friendly products and companies from Oprah’s Earth Day show in April to gifts given to celebrity presenters at the Oscars. People are searching for products that are safe for their homes and friendly to the environment. Some people fear that changing from conventional cleaners to non-toxic cleaners will mean sacrificing effectiveness and that their home will not be as ‘clean’ as it once was. The opposite, however, is true. Powerful and economical products are available that are also non-toxic and safe for the home and the environment – and the secret is getting out. High-quality non-toxic cleaners have been found to outperform leading chemical cleaners4 , leaving youngsters safe and parents free from the worry brought by having dangerous chemicals in the home. We are waking up to the realization that true clean is not the smell of chlorine lingering in the air, but is the safe and effective removal of dirt and germs from our homes with products that are safe for both our families and the environment. 1 US EPA, New Chemicals Program Return to Top of Asthma Article
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