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Ingredients to Avoid in Household Products

To pull together a list of ingredients that are questionable for use in our everyday products, we turned to the experts. Lucky for us consumers, there are several consumer health and environmental advocacy groups that have been paying attention to this sort of thing for a long time.

The Pure Know How list is a composite from the many lists produced by these organizations - so you won't have to! Check out their resources and websites listed in our Reference Links section.


Look out for these chemical ingredients in everyday products


Labelling of ingredients found in everyday cleaning household products, is not required by law.1

To find out what is in the products you are using, we suggest:

Acetone
Found in spot treatment cleaners, mark and scuff removers, and other products. It is a skin and eye irritant. It is a neurotoxin, may cause liver and kidney damage, and damage to the developing fetus.

Alkyl benzene sulfonate (ABS)
A class of synthetic surfactants, also known as linear alkyl benzene sulfonates (LAS) or linear alkyl sodium sulfonates. LAS are the most common surfactants in use. During the manufacturing process, carcinogens and reproductive toxins such as benzene are released into the environment.

Alkylphenol Ethoxylates (APE)
A common surfactants found in detergents and disinfectants. They are suspected hormone disruptors that don't readily biodegrade. This chemical is found in wastewater discharges and in sewage treatment plant (STP) effluents, which threatens wildlife habitat after going down the drain.

Alkyl phenoxy polyethoxy ethanols
These general groups of synthetic surfactants are slow to biodegrade in the environment and have been implicated in chronic health problems. Researchers in England have found that in trace amounts, they activate estrogen receptors in cells which in turn alter the activity of certain genes. For example, in experiments they have been found to stimulate the growth of breast cancer cells and feminize male fish.

Ammonia
Found in a wide range of cleaning products. Undiluted, ammonia is a severe eye and respiratory irritant that can cause severe burning pain, and corrosive damage including burning the skin on contact. It can also cause kidney and liver damage. Fumes from ammonia-containing cleaners may cause respiratory irritation and repeated or prolonged exposure to vapours can result in bronchitis and pneumonia. Warning: Ammonia will react with bleach to form poisonous chlorine gas that can cause burning and watering of eyes, as well as burning of the nose and mouth.

2-butoxyethanol or Ethylene glycol butyl
Used as a solvent in carpet cleaners and specialty cleaners. It can be inhaled or absorbed through the skin and may cause blood disorders as well as liver and kidney damage.

Butyl Cellosolve (butyl glycol, ethylene glycol monobutyl)
Found in heavy cleaners. Irritant, poisonous when swallowed and a lung-tissue irritant. Easily absorbed by skin.

Chlorine bleach (sodium hypochlorite, sodium hydroxide)
Common bleachs' primary ingredient is sodium hypochlorite and is made by the addition of chlorine to sodium hydroxide. Used on it own as a common disinfectant and all-purpose whitening agent and within conventional scouring powders and cleaning solutions. Household bleach sold for use in laundering clothes is a 3-6% solution of sodium hypochlorite at the time of manufacture. Strength varies from one formulation to another and gradually decreases with long storage. It is highly caustic, meaning it can burn skin and eyes, irritate the lungs and can be fatal if swallowed. May also be a neurotoxin and cause liver damage. Highly caustic in waterways and in the environment as the by-product salts bind with organic matter to create organochlorines - a suspected carcinogen as well as reproductive, neurological and immune-system toxin. Warning: Mixing bleach with some household cleaners can be hazardous. For example, mixing an acid cleaner with sodium hypochlorite bleach generates chlorine gas. Mixing with ammonia solutions (including urine) produces chloramines. Both chlorine gas and chloramine gas are toxic. Bleach can react violently with hydrogen peroxide and produce oxygen gas.

Diethanolamine (DEA)
Used in a wide range of household cleaning products. This chemical is a skin and respiratory toxicant and a severe eye irritant. Listed as a suspected carcinogen by the State of California, as DEA combines with other nitrosomes (an often-undisclosed preservative) to produce carcinogenic nitrosamines that readily penetrate the skin.

D-limonene
This chemical is produced by cold-pressing orange peels. The extracted oil is 90% d-limonene. This natural sourced ingredient is used as a solvent in many all-purpose cleaning products, especially 'citrus' and 'orange' cleaners and is has become more widely used to replace more toxic substances. Also listed on labels as citrus oil and orange oil. There are some concerns with strong concentrations in that it is a sensitizer, a neurotoxin, a moderate eye and skin irritant, and can trigger respiratory distress when vapours are inhaled by some sensitive individuals. There is some evidence of carcinogenicity.

Ethoxylated Alcohol
Most often found in liquid detergents, including natural brands, can contain 1,4-dioxane that is carcinogenic and volatile (meaning you end up inhaling it)

Ethoxylated nonyl phenols (NPEs)
Used in laundry detergents and other cleaning products. NPEs are eye and skin irritants and also a group of endocrine-disrupting chemicals - which means that although they are chemically similar to the hormones naturally produced by humans and others in the animal world, they tend to disrupt natural hormones by blocking, mimicking or enhancing. Declared toxic by Environment Canada and has been banned from all cleaning products manufactured or used in the European Union.

Formaldehyde
Used in a wide range of products, including some furniture polishes. In lab tests, formaldehyde has caused cancer and damaged DNA. Formaldehyde is also a sensitizer, with the potential to cause asthma. Several laboratory studies have shown it to be a central nervous system depressant. Exposure to formaldehyde may cause joint pain, depression, headaches, chest pains, ear infections, chronic fatigue, dizziness and loss of sleep. While formaldehyde naturally occurs in the human body in minute amounts, it is estimated that 20 per cent of people exposed to it will experience an allergic reaction Formaldehyde may be released by other chemicals, eg. quaternary 15.

Methylene chloride
Used in stain removers. On inhalation, it can cause liver and brain damage, irregular heartbeat, and even heart attack. It is a severe skin and moderate eye irritant. Methylene chloride is a carcinogen, a neurotoxin and a reproductive toxin.

Monoethanolamine
Found in many cleaning products, including oven cleaners, tub and tile cleaners, laundry pre-soaks, floor strippers and carpet cleaners. This chemical can also be absorbed through the skin, is a moderate skin irritant, and a severe eye irritant. Inhalation of high concentrations - when cleaning an oven for example - can cause dizziness or even coma. May cause liver, kidney and reproductive damage, as well as depression of the central nervous system.

Morpholine
Used as a solvent in a number of cleaning products, including some furniture polishes and abrasive cleansers. This corrosive ingredient can severely irritate and burn skin and eyes, and can even cause blindness, if splashed in eyes. It can cause liver and kidney damage, and long-term exposure can result in bronchitis. It reacts with nitrites (added as a preservative in some products, or present as a contaminant) to form carcinogenic nitrosamines.

Nonylphenols Ethoxylates (NPE)
A surfactant used to lift dirt and thus used in laundry detergents and other cleaning products . NPEs are eye and skin irritants. The breakdown product is nonylphenol (NP) and is a suspected endocrine disrupters - which means that although they are chemically similar to the hormones naturally produced by humans and others in the animal world, they tend to disrupt natural hormones by blocking, mimicking or enhancing estrogen. Declared toxic by Environment Canada and has been banned from all cleaning products manufactured or used in the European Union.

Parabens
Widely used in cleaning products as preservatives, parabens are usually preceded by the prefixes methyl-, ethyl-, butyl-, or propyl. May cause contact dermatitis in some individuals. Parabens are also known hormone disruptors, as they mimic the female hormone estrogen. Meaning they bind to estrogen receptors in women and could potentially affect estrogen-sensitive functions of the body. Parabens are linked to the development of breast cancer. The cumulative effect of parabens combined with other hormone disrupting chemicals affect our bodies is a noted concern.

Perchloroethylene
Used in carpet cleaners. A known human carcinogen which can have immediate central nervous system (CNS) effects including dizziness, sleepiness, nausea, tremors and disorientation as well as long term CNS effects.

Phthalates
Phthalates are chemical plasticizers and are used widely in fragrances, deodorants, nail polishes, hair products and lotions. Phthalates are used to enhance fragrances, as solvents, and to denature alcohol. These endocrine-disrupting chemicals are suspected of contaminating breast milk and causing damage to the kidneys, liver, lungs and reproductive organs. A study published in Environmental Health Perspectives (December 2002) found that DEP is damaging to the DNA of sperm in adult men at current levels of exposure. DNA damage to sperm can lead to infertility and may also be linked to miscarriages, birth defects, infertility and cancer in offspring. Other medical literature links them to various reproductive defects in developing male fetuses (when mother is exposed during pregnancy), as well as early puberty in girls. Since, phthalates often "hide" behind the term "fragrance" choose products labeled "fragrance-free" or that are scented exclusively with pure botanical or essential oils.

Phthalates are also present in, and can evaporate from, soft vinyl (PVC) toys, flooring and other products, which should be avoided. For more information, search for "phthalates" at The Green Guide.

Phosphoric acid
Found in some liquid dishwasher detergents, metal polishes, some disinfectants, and bathroom cleaners, especially those that remove lime and mildew. Extremely corrosive, it can severely irritate and burn the skin and eyes. Breathing vapours can make the lungs ache, and it may be toxic to the central nervous system.

Phosphates
Common ingredient in automatic dishwasher detergents and some laundry detergent and all-purpose cleaners. Highly caustic and can be fatal if swallowed. Phosphates remove hard water minerals to soften water for detergents and prevent dirt from settling back onto clothes during washing. While relatively non-irritating and non-toxic in the environment, they nonetheless contribute to significant but contribute to algae blooms in our waterways, which can kill off fish populations.

Quarternium 15
Found in cleaning products as a preservative. Can cause dermatitis and is an eye and skin irritant. It is a formaldehyde releaser, a known carcinogen.

Silica
Found in commonly used abrasive cleaners, like Ajax or Comet. Silica is a carcinogen when it occurs as fine dust that can be breathed in. It can be easily replaced with cream cleaner or baking soda for similar results.

Sodium dichloroisocyanurate dehydrate
Found in some toilet bowl cleaners and deodorizers, as well as industrial detergents and some institutional dishwashing detergents. This corrosive chemical is a severe eye, skin and respiratory irritant. It may cause liver and gastrointestinal damage, and may be toxic to the central nervous system. Warning: Reacts with bleach to form poisonous chlorine gas that can cause burning and watering of eyes, as well as burning of the nose and mouth.

Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS)
Sodium lauryl sulfate is used as a lathering agent. This chemical can penetrate the skin and cause skin irritation and contact dermatitis. It also enhances the allergic response to other toxins and allergens. The U.S. government has warned manufacturers of unacceptable levels of dioxin formation in some products containing this ingredient. SLS can react with other ingredients to form cancer-causing nitrosamines.

Trisodium Nitrilotriacetate (NTA)
This ingredient is used a builder is laundry detergents. It is listed as a possible human carcinogen by the International Agency for Research on Cancer and has an adverse environmental impact in because it can impede the elimination of metals in wastewater treatment plants.

Thiourea
Used in common silver and tarnish removers, this ingredient is listed as a possible human carcinogen by the International Agency for Research n Cancer.

Toluene
A solvent in numerous products, including paints. Exposure to toluene may cause liver, kidney and brain damage. It is also a reproductive toxin, which can damage a developing fetus.

Turpentine
This chemical can cause allergic sensitization, and kidney, bladder and central nervous system damage. It is an eye irritant. Found in specialty solvent cleaners, furniture polish and shoe products.

Xylene
Used in some spot removers, floor polishes, ironing aids and other products. Xylene has significant neurotoxic effects, including loss of memory. High exposure can lead to loss of consciousness and even death. It may damage liver, kidneys and the developing fetus. It is a severe eye and moderate skin irritant.


Broad Ingredient Categories


Aerosol products
Products applied with aerosol sprays are broken into minute particles, which can be more deeply inhaled than larger particles, which may increase their toxic effect. May contain propane, formaldehyde, a carcinogen, neurotoxin and central nervous system depressant, methylene chloride, a carcinogen, neurotoxin and reproductive toxin, and nitrous oxide.

Antibacterials
Found in cleansers and other cleaning products, antibacterial agents such as triclosan and triclocarban are designed to kill germs. Anti-bacterial products have been shown to promote the growth of antibiotic-resistant bacteria in laboratory settings according to a study in the April 1999 Journal of Biological Chemistry and the July 13 2000 Nature. This is disputed by the Soap and Detergent Association. Recent publication in Aquatic Toxicology found triclosan to be harmful in the development of frogs and potentially humans, where it disrupted thyroid function in frogs. The Canadian Paediatric Society called for parents to stop buying antibacterial products, and instead use soap and water to wash toys, hands or household items.

Fragrance
Fragrance on a label can indicate the presence of up to 4,000 separate ingredients, most of which are synthetic. Many compounds in fragrance are human toxins and suspected or proven carcinogens. In 1989, the US National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health evaluated 2,983 fragrance chemicals for health effects. They identified 884 of them as toxic substances. Synthetic fragrances are known to trigger asthma attacks. The US Environmental Protection Agency found that 100% of perfumes contain toluene, which can cause liver, kidney and brain damage as well as damage to a developing fetus. Symptoms reported to the FDA from fragrance exposure have included headaches, dizziness, rashes, skin discoloration, violent coughing and vomiting, and allergic skin irritation. Clinical observations by medical doctors have shown that exposure to fragrances can affect the central nervous system, causing depression, hyperactivity, irritability, inability to cope, and other behavioral changes. Fragrance is a common skin irritant.

Optical brighteners - Fluorescent Whitening Agents
Fluorescent whitening agents (FWAs or brighteners) are synthetic chemicals which adhere to fabrics as though they were dyes. Ultraviolet energy is absorbed, converted and emitted as visible blue light to enhance fabric appearance and maintain whiteness or brightness. Their inclusion in any formula does not enhance or affect the product's performance in any way; they simply trick the eye. Optical brighteners do not readily biodegrade and they also may be toxic to fish and can, cause bacterial mutations. They can cause allergic reaction when in contact with skin that is then exposed to sunlight. Reference: Soap and Detergent Association.

Surfactants
A general term for Surface Active Agents. It is the term used to describe the active cleaning agents in a product. Conventional products use synthetic surfactants often derived from petroleum. Surfactants, or surface active agents, are chemicals that make surfaces more susceptible to water, allowing cleaners to easily penetrate stains and wash them away. June 2007, a coalition of environmental advocates, public health policy organizations, and laundry workers petitioned the EPA to ban a common surfactant ingredient in detergent and cleaning product.

Some names of surfactants: Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS), Sodium Laureth Sulfate (SLES) , Ammonium Lauryl Sulfate (ALS), Ammonium Laureth Sulfate (ALES), Sodium Methyl Cocoyl Taurate, Sodium Lauroyl Sarcosinate, Sodium Cocoyl Sarcosinate, Potassium Coco Hydrolysed Collagen, TEA (Triethanolamine) Lauryl Sulfate, TEA (Triethanolamine) Laureth Sulfate, Lauryl or Cocoyl Sarcosine, Disodium Oleamide Sulfosuccinate, Disodium Laureth Sulfosuccinate, Disodium Dioctyl Sulfosuccinate.

Sources:


CancerSmart Consumer Guide, Labour Environmental Alliance Society, 2006.
Cancer Prevention Coalition, Web site: www.preventcancer.com
Cleaners and Toxins, Labour Environmental Alliance Society, Vancouver BC
Guide to Less Toxic Products, Environmental Health Association of Nova Scotia, 2004.
Less Toxic Alternatives , Carolyn Gorman with Marie Hyde, Optimum Publishing, 2002
Safe Shopper's Bible - A Consumer's Guide to Nontoxic Household Products, Cosmetics and Food, David Steinman & Samuel S. Epstein, M.D. 1995.
Top Cleaning Products to Avoid. The Green Guide, 2006.

1 In Canada all household general-purpose cleaners are classified as consumer chemical products, which must comply with the Hazardous Products Act and Consumer Chemicals Containers (CCCR) 2001 Regulations.

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Last Updated: 2007-08-21