Health Hotline Magazine | May 2025

By Charity Isely

“Housework can’t kill you, but why take a chance?” —Phyllis Diller

Housework may not kill you, but what about the products you use to clean the house? Of course, they won’t literally kill you with normal use, however, it’s worth considering that an estimated 85,000 to 95,000 chemicals are registered for use in the U.S., yet less than half have been tested for chronic toxicity. These aren’t all cleaning chemicals, but the cleaning category has no federal pre-market safety testing requirements, and the substances included may harm the air you breathe, the water you drink, and aquatic life in our waterways. Sparkling mirrors are nice, but glycol ethers ? Think twice! These solvents have various applications and can be found in glass cleaners, carpet cleaners, and multi-surface cleaning products; the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) classifies some as “hazardous air pollutants.”

were carcinogens for which the EPA has “no safe exposure level” established. Meanwhile, the 2021 Beyond the Label report from Women’s Voices for the Earth exposes some of the concerning hidden chemicals in synthetic fragrances frequently used in cleaning products. Consider the following three: • Butylphenyl methylpropional was found in nearly every cleaning product category, with laundry leading the pack. In animal studies, it's linked to reproductive issues, including sperm damage and pregnancy loss, and human exposure appears widespread—a 2016 German government study detected it in nearly all tested individuals. • OTNE is a synthetic musk commonly used in fabric softeners, detergents, and dryer sheets. It “poses acute aquatic toxicity” and is frequently found

Research links them to reproductive toxicity and developmental issues in animals, and studies have found lower sperm counts and a significantly increased likelihood of congenital disabilities associated with workplace exposure. Glycol ethers are absorbed through the air, as volatile fumes, via inhalation or skin contact.

in rivers and oceans. Wastewater treatment plants struggle to remove it, and tests in the U.S. and Germany have detected it in 100 percent of treated water samples. It’s also been found in household dust and breast milk. While research on its effects in humans is limited, it has been flagged as a potential reproductive toxin in animal studies.

Many detergents contain optical brighteners (OBs), but they don’t actually clean—they just make clothes look whiter and brighter. These compounds attach to clothing fibers, absorbing UV light and returning it as visible blue light. The problem? Due to their UV-absorbing nature, OBs aren’t easily degraded by sunlight, and they don’t fully break down in water treatment plants, raising concerns about their impact on aquatic ecosystems. And while not inherently carcinogenic, exposure to certain types of UV radiation can transform OBs’ structure, resulting in a “pronounced carcinogenic effect” and a potential hazard for humans and aquatic life. Clean clothes and a fresh home smell great, but could those synthetic fragrances be dangerously good? In a 2011 study, still worth noting, researchers captured emissions from home dryer vents after using the leading brand of scented laundry detergent and dryer sheets. Seven of the 25 gases recorded were hazardous air pollutants, and two—acetaldehyde and benzene—

• Hexalindanopyran (Galaxolide) is a persistent chemical found in bathroom cleaners, dish soap, air fresheners, and more. It doesn’t quickly degrade, accumulates in the environment over time, and is “highly toxic” to fish and other aquatic life. It’s also a potential endocrine disruptor to humans. One Iowa study found it “a constant presence at low levels” in treated drinking water. There are more chemicals to be wary of in cleaning products than we have room to discuss in a short article. Fortunately, there are brands and retailers who prioritize transparency and exclude these (and more) toxic ingredients from their offerings. Equip yourself with cleaning essentials from trustworthy brands that are better for you and the planet. Then, if you feel like taking a chance on housework—hey, we’ve done it too and survived! Wink-wink. For references, please visit: naturalgrocers.com/issue-94

36 | Health Hotline ®