Chemicals in Household Products, Effects on Expectant Mothers

By Ina Woolcott

Most expectant parents want the house to be clean and fresh, but can the chemicals contained in common household cleaners that give them their power also cause harm? Expectant mum's (me included) often have 'nesting periods' and can become pernickety about dirt, and just have to clean all the time.

In the USA at least there are no federal requirements to test for, let alone warn consumers, about long-term health effects or foetal damage from using household cleaners. Therefore a list of the chemicals pregnant women should avoid does not exist. A carried out by the University of Bristol in the United Kingdom found that babies of women who often used chemical based cleaners while pregnant are more than twice as likely to develop breathing problems.

Brad Imler, Ph.D. and president of the American Pregnancy Association claims "your exposure is probably limited and the likelihood of complications is negligible."

Another Ph.D., Tom Natan, who is research director for the National Environmental Trust, agrees - "While we don't know enough about these products, most are probably safe when used as directed in limited amounts and only when necessary," he claims. Of far greater concern is multiple exposures. "You don't always know where the dangers are and you're potentially exposed more often than you think throughout the day," he explains. He believes soap, hot water and elbow grease are vastly underrated. "You don't have to kill bacteria; you can just remove them from surfaces by scrubbing and using hot water" he says.

Green/Eco/Organic/Environmentally friendly household cleaners are available in a most places, but that does not mean all of these products are safe. Manufacturers aren’t required to list every ingredient, therefore you can't know for sure what's in them. True green companies claim to list all ingredients on labels, and some even go as far as listing the toxic ingredients generally present in household products that you won't find in their products on the packaging. Most products have a website nowadays to be also found on the packaging. Check them out. Do some research.

When you feel that you have to use strong chemicals, use them frugally in well-ventilated areas and follow the manufacturers' instructions. Or even better yet - get someone else to do it for you...

Toxically Laden Cleaners

Definitions:

Corrosive - can destroy living tissue (e.g. eyes or skin) on contact by chemical action.
Irritant - can cause considerable injury to the area of the body it comes into contact with.
Toxic - can cause injury or illness upon ingestion, inhalation or absorption.

Bleach for Washing

POTENTIALLY HAZARDOUS TOXINS OF CONCERN - Chlorine - an irritant, toxic and corrosive. May also contain trace amounts of potentially carcinogenic organochlorines. STAY AS SAFE AS POSSIBLE - Use ONLY as directed. Use sparingly. Ventilate adequately. NEVER mix with ammonia, as this creates toxic chloramine gas.

Toilet Cleaners

POTENTIALLY HAZARDOUS TOXINS OF CONCERN - Hydrochloric or oxalic acid. Calcium hypochlorite, which is an irritant, is toxic and corrosive.

STAY AS SAFE AS POSSIBLE - The American Pregnancy Association suggests keeping the area well ventilated and to wear protective gloves. NEVER EVER mix with other household cleaners.

ALTERNATIVE CHOICE - Ecover Natural Toilet Bowl Cleaner ECOVER I use this a lot, i.e. for laundry and washing dishes.

All-Purpose Cleaners

POTENTIALLY HAZARDOUS TOXINS - ammonia and petroleum. Alsoglycol ethers which are irritant, toxic and corrosive and may damage the nervous system.

STAY AS SAFE AS POSSIBLE - Wear gloves and use proper ventilation.

ALTERNATIVE CHOICE - So Organic just type all-purpose cleaners into the search bar

Glass Cleaners
POTENTIALLY HAZARDOUS TOXINS OF CONCERN - Ammonia, an irritant, toxic and corrosive. May also contain solvents and glycol ethers. May affect the nervous system.

STAY AS SAFE AS POSSIBLE - Use sparingly and ventilate very well. Close container properly when not in use.

ALTERNATIVE CHOICE - Planet Natural

Oven Cleaner

POTENTIALLY HAZARDOUS TOXINS OF CONCERN - Ammonia, potassium. Also sodium hydroxide a irritant, toxic and corrosive.

STAY AS SAFE AS POSSIBLE - The American Pregnancy Association suggests that oven cleaners are NOT used due to the space being too confined to be well ventilated.

Please read related link: Dare 2B Aware