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If you keep a clean house, you could be putting your health at risk. A new study reveals the regular use of basic cleaning products could double the risk of developing breast cancer.
According to the international journal Environmental Health, the use of cleaners including air fresheners and mold removers doubled the risk of breast cancer in women who use them often. The findings suggest that household cleaners and pesticides might cause breast cancer because they have "endocrine disrupting chemicals" or "mammary gland carcinogens."
The study included 787 Massachusetts women diagnosed with breast cancer between 1988 and 1995. Each were questioned about their use of household cleaning products. However, researchers warn that "recall bias" may have altered results. Meaning, patients who felt chemicals contributed to the risk of developing breast cancer were more likely to report high use of cleaning products.
The American Cleaning Industry says, “This is all based on the most cursory look at the scientific literature and the recollection of breast cancer survivors as to the products they used 15 to 20 years ago.”
While the possible connection between cleaning products and breast cancer needs more research, there are natural cleaning products you can use if you so choose.
Baking Soda - cleans, deodorizes, softens water, scours.
Soap - unscented soap in liquid form, flakes, powders or bars clean just about anything. Avoid using soaps with petroleum distillates.
Lemon - one of the strongest food-acids, effective against most household bacteria.
Borax - (sodium borate) cleans, deodorizes, disinfects, softens water, cleans wallpaper, painted walls and floors.
White Vinegar - cuts grease, removes mildew, odors, some stains and wax build-up.
Washing Soda - or SAL Soda is sodium carbonate decahydrate, a mineral. Washing soda cuts grease, removes stains, softens water, cleans wall, tiles, sinks and tubs. Use care, as washing soda can irritate mucous membranes. Do not use on aluminum.
Cornstarch - can be used to clean windows, polish furniture, shampoo carpets and rugs.
Trisodium phosphate (TSP) - a mixture of soda ash and phosphoric acid. TSP is toxic if swallowed, but it can be used on many jobs, such as cleaning drains or removing old paint, that would normally require much more caustic and poisonous chemicals, and it does not create any fumes.
The above ingredients can be combined to make solutions for cleaning mold, stains and making polishes. To learn how to make those solutions, click here
If you don’t have time to clean, Atlanta’s Green & Clean Maid Services uses environmentally friendly products, with less toxins and harmful chemicals. Click here to see the products they use.
Comments
Interesting article. Thanks for the list of recommended natural cleaners.
you can find tons of uses for everyday products if you purchase the book More Extraordinary uses for ordinary things
You are so good about finding these alternative solutions. Thanks! Karen
This information is really speculative and needs current data to back up the generalized statements concerning househhold chemicals causing breast cancer. What kind of household chemicals are they talking about? Household chemicals come in a variety and broad range of catergories and your post does not differentiate. Current household cleaning chemicals are much safer today than 15-20 years and u can buy so called green cleaners that are more safe and reliable than some the natural products u listed.
Some of your natural listed chemicals u listed as being safe, they might clean, but not always and vinegar, tsp, and borax can be rough on skin and eyes. Safety eye glasses are required in industry when using these produts. Been in the chemical cleaning business for 31 years and it would be nice to see more accurate data and information. Wishing everyone a safe cleaning day.
I use vinegar for everything.
Steven - did you read where the writer said "The American Cleaning Industry says, “This is all based on the most cursory look at the scientific literature and the recollection of breast cancer survivors as to the products they used 15 to 20 years ago.”While the possible connection between cleaning products and breast cancer needs more research, there are natural cleaning products you can use if you so choose."
While this link is still being investigated, I will chose to use vinegar!
Whether the study is accurate or not it is, or should be clear to people, that using chemicals like bleach and other cleaning products in their homes is not healthy.
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