TURI - TURI - Toxics Use Reduction Institute



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Caution! When You Clean, Your Health May be at Risk!

• Research shows a clear link between occupational asthma and cleaning work.[?]

• Exposure to chemicals affects fertility, miscarriage, onset of cancer.2

• Data from the American Association of Poison Control Centers indicates household cleaners were the third largest category of substances associated with calls to poison control centers, with over 218,000 calls made in 2005.3

• Even if your children do not use chemical products, they are still at risk. Asthma in children is linked to cleaning products and air freshener use during pregnancy.4

• Natural cleaning products can be just as effective as chemical products in cleaning.

• Natural products can also disinfect when you use the right ingredients.

• You can make your own products at home, which can save you money.

• Natural cleaning products, when used safely, will less likely harm your health and are less-toxic.

• You don’t need to disinfect when you clean. While disinfecting may be necessary on kitchen surfaces for preparing food or on telephones if someone is sick, it is best to limit the use of disinfecting products because overusing antimicrobial products may lead to the spread of ‘super bugs.’ Antimicrobial products contain chemical agents that are capable of destroying or inhibiting the growth of microorganisms.5

Want more information from the Brazilian Women’s Group and Vida Verde? Just turn the page to find out how to use safer, natural, cleaning products.

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Materials developed under a grant from the Toxics Use Reduction Institute, UMASS Lowell

What are Natural Cleaning Products?

Vinegar – Naturally helps loosen dirt and rinse soap residues, in addition to helping prevent fungus and mildew

Water – a universal solvent

Borax – a natural mineral made of water, oxygen, sodium, and boron. It has antiseptic, anti fungal, and antibacterial properties, in addition to improving the efficiency of soap in loosening up dirt

Baking Soda – sodium bicarbonate, efficiently absorbs odors and acts effectively to contribute to the cleaning, acting as an abrasive

Vegetable Soap/Castile Soap – biodegradable and composed of essential oils. Efficiently removes grease and dirt

If you are still using conventional cleaning products, how can you protect yourself?

• Read all instructions on the container and use as instructed.

• Make sure you wear gloves and work in a well ventilated area.

• Keep products away from children.

• If a product label indicates that all ingredients are not listed, consider changing products.

Products Linked to Asthma6

SOS All Purpose Cleaner Lemon Scent

Clorox Disinfecting Kitchen Cleaner

Easy Off Bam Power Degreaser

Dawn Power Dissolver

Ace

Tide

Spic & Span Disinfecting All-Purpose Spray and Glass Cleaner

…and more

Products Linked to Reproductive Harm7

Formula 409 All Purpose Cleaner

It’s Magic Carpet Cleaner Fresh Scent

Lemon Fresh Pine-Sol Spray & Mop Floor Cleaner

Windex Aerosol

…and more

Potential Harmful Effects

Asthma

Allergies

Burning eyes, nose

Irritated throat

Nausea, vomiting

Headache

DEATH

The Brazilian Women’s Group is a non-profit organization that has supported the interests of the Brazilian community with a focus on women since 1995.

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The Vida Verde Coop’s mission is to support Brazilian housecleaners in their professions while creating community and promoting healthy and environmentally-friendly methods. We conduct community trainings for housecleaners—

please contact us!

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569 Cambridge Street

Allston, MA 02134

Telephone: 617-787-0557 ext. 14

Fax: 617-779-9586



monica@

Materials developed under a grant from the Toxics Use Reduction Institute, UMASS Lowell

[?] American Lung Association (2002). Occupational Asthma Fact Sheet. American Lung Association, March 2002. Available at: site/pp.asp?c=dvLUK90OE&b=22597

2,3,6,7 Women’s Voices for the Earth (2007). Household Hazards: Potential Hazards of Home Cleaning Products, A Report by Women’s Voices for the Earth

4 Henderson J, Sherriff A, Farrow A and Ayres JG.

Eur Respir. 2008.

5 Toxics Use Reduction Institute.

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