Environmental impacts of Cleaning Products

Environmental impacts of Cleaning Products

The biggest impact of cleaning products emanates from the chemicals which they contain, and the packaging they come in is also an issue.

Toxic and Non-biodegradable chemicals

The most important concern is the chemicals which cleaning products contain as earlier stated. There are several thousands of chemicals in use and many of them may not have been tested for safety despite the fact that the effects of many are known. These chemicals may pollute streams and rivers and could even take a long time to degrade into harmless products. Some of these chemicals may not break down at all but may persist in the environment for a long time. They may even enter the food chain, being eaten by aquatic creatures and eventually by us. When consumed or absorbed through the skin, they may have harmful effects, be toxic, cause cancer or cause birth defects amongst others.

Some organizations have sought a ban on the use of the most toxic chemical products. They have identified domestic products that frequently contain chemicals from the list of chemicals “Of Very High Concern”. These organization have identified chemicals of concern to be found in carpets and curtains, toys and televisions, computers, cosmetics and perfumes, but rarely labeled and never seen.

As part of the campaign,  compilation of  a list of products which do not contain these harmful chemicals are ongoing. Under the new EU chemical law for example, REACH, finally approved in December 2006 that companies will have to provide safety data for large volume chemicals that they produce or import into Europe. This is expected to cover about 30,000 of the 100,000 chemicals available on the European market.

Under the new dispensation, detergents are all now biodegradable, though some may break down quicker than others, but they often contain chemicals which may cause problems to the environment. Phosphates as we know can cause eutrophication, upsetting the balance of nutrients in rivers, streams and other water bodies, while many products also contain enzymes, bleaches, brighteners and perfumes. People with sensitive skin or allergies may find out that these substances could aggravate their condition. 

When it comes to packaging, it could be observed that not only are there innumerable products but they come in a great range of packages. Many of these 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. Accordingly 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 of these products come in plastic containers which are light and durable can be recycled in some areas, but otherwise are very slow to biodegrade which is another environmental concern. You may be able to buy refills, and buying concentrated products or in bulk also reduces the amount of packaging.

On the final note, be sure to purchase chemicals which are environmentally friendly. Read the label and ask for Material Data Safety Sheet when in doubt. Remember an environment should be improved upon but where this is not possible, it should be left as natural as it was met - for the coming generation.

A candle loses nothing, when lighting another candle", as safety professionals we must teach, coach, and educate others on environmental safety and protection!