Many people don't realize that many of the household cleaners we use in our homes are highly toxic. Surprisingly, when we use them the chemicals contained in them can stay in the air from several hours to several days. They are also left behind as residue making them able to absorb into the skin easily. If some of these chemicals come in contact with each other the result may even be deadly.



Household cleaners are products which are regulated by the Consumer Product safety Commission under the Federal Hazardous Substances Labeling Act. However, they are not required to list the ingredients used to make their products. It's considered that these ingredients are 'trade secrets' and therefore their identity is protected by law despite the risk to humans and the environment in which they live.

While most people who come in contact with these chemicals don't experience serious toxic exposure, they do experience more subtle symptoms such as headaches, rashes, and nausea. Consistent contact can cause future complications and result in risk of cancer.

Research methods need to be developed which can accurately predict the consequences to humans in the long term. It becomes more difficult as time passes to determine which chemical is responsible for which condition. Separating the unknown factors to determine effect becomes impossible. Ethics also plays a large role in the area of research. This is due primarily to the fact that determining the effects of exposure from chemicals to humans can only be determined by one source, humans. Common sense clearly defines the impossibilities.

Faced with these impossibilities we are only left to do one thing; reduce the impact of air pollutants in our homes. Make every effort to use cleaning products developed from natural and non-toxic ingredients. If you're in the process of remodeling, ask specifically for paints and stains that are low VOC and try to avoid spray paints.

Furnish your home with natural wood. Take extra care in making sure your furnace, stove, and other combustion devices are vented properly. Develop a green thumb. Plants in your home naturally filter the air and provide fresh oxygen.