Cleaning Agents: The Trojan Horse to Our Grecian Abode (HAHAHAH, I think this is too nerdy though D:]
Harmful Household Horrors
Unforeseen Dangers Between each Clean
Squish. Another glob of Cucumber Melon-scented hand sanitizer lands on our palms after we touch that hygiene-questionable stair railing. Spray. A mist of Pine Fresh Lysol surges through the air after our siblings decide to belch the entire alphabet after a meal of philly-cheese steaks, twice. Squirt. A pool of Dawn Citrus Kick drips onto the dinner plate crusted with bits of leftovers after a hearty meal. We use these cleaning agents on a daily basis to kill harmful bacteria and promote good hygiene but could it be that these germ-killing warriors are hurting us more than they are helping?
Hand Sanitizers. We carry them in our bags and pockets, with many more scents sitting on our desks at home for variety. They come in handy after greasy, finger-food meals and serve as pleasing substitutions to water and soap, with the nice fruity smell after. We can’t deny the convenience of scented sanitizers but we also have to acknowledge the potential dangers of excessive usage. Hand sanitizers are 60-90% ethyl or isopropyl alcohol, a concentration of even greater strength than that of hard liquor. Because we often use hand sanitizers to clean dirty hands before eating, even a small dose can be dangerous if ingested, resulting in dizziness, slurred speech, and gradual brain damage. Hand sanitizers are encouraged only if water and soap are not available and applied in only dime-sized amounts. Opt for a foaming formula that dries more quickly and for the nail biters, avoid nibbling after applying the sanitizer.
Air Fresheners. We use the handy weapon to attack funky smells around the house and offer pleasing scents to make our lives more exciting. With mists of delight emitting with a simple press of a button, it’s hard to deny the fun in cans of air fresheners as well. But, what many fail to realize is that air fresheners coat nasal passages with an oil form known as methoxychlor. Coating of nasal passages interferes with our ability to smell, releases nerve-deadening agents into our system, and sometimes even causes nausea, dizziness and fatigue. A known chemical also found in air fresheners is phenol, a disinfectant that causes skin to burn and peel upon contact. Air fresheners are also detrimental to the environment when they react with the air to produce ozone. High levels of ozone not only damage the environment, but also pose as a health risk to people and animals alike. Ridding trash can smells by adding baking soda and popping windows open instead of aggressively spraying Oust will protect ourselves and the environment.
Dishwashing Liquids. It is difficult to argue that dishwashing soap is unnecessary because it is an everyday necessity that allows us to reuse dishes and pans. But, choosing the right dishwashing liquid is crucial to our health. A common component of detergents is triclosan, a bacteria-fighting chemical that mixes with the natural chlorine in tap water to form chloroform. The presence of chloroform in drinking water has proved to be the cause of human bladder cancers and miscarriages. Every time a dish is washed, some residue is left on the surface and steadily accumulates after every wash. We also ingest the chemical when hot foods absorb the residue and end up mixing with chloroform. Tips to avoid chemical poisoning include using a variety of plates and bowls rather than sticking with the same one every night and avoiding dishwashing soaps that contain high levels of triclosan.
In our efforts to externally protect ourselves from the vicious bacteria that roam the world around us, we just might be damaging ourselves internally. But, with the right precautions and knowledge gained, you can now squish, spray and squirt to your heart’s content, with moderation of course.
Harmful Household Horrors
Unforeseen Dangers Between each Clean
Squish. Another glob of Cucumber Melon-scented hand sanitizer lands on our palms after we touch that hygiene-questionable stair railing. Spray. A mist of Pine Fresh Lysol surges through the air after our siblings decide to belch the entire alphabet after a meal of philly-cheese steaks, twice. Squirt. A pool of Dawn Citrus Kick drips onto the dinner plate crusted with bits of leftovers after a hearty meal. We use these cleaning agents on a daily basis to kill harmful bacteria and promote good hygiene but could it be that these germ-killing warriors are hurting us more than they are helping?
Hand Sanitizers. We carry them in our bags and pockets, with many more scents sitting on our desks at home for variety. They come in handy after greasy, finger-food meals and serve as pleasing substitutions to water and soap, with the nice fruity smell after. We can’t deny the convenience of scented sanitizers but we also have to acknowledge the potential dangers of excessive usage. Hand sanitizers are 60-90% ethyl or isopropyl alcohol, a concentration of even greater strength than that of hard liquor. Because we often use hand sanitizers to clean dirty hands before eating, even a small dose can be dangerous if ingested, resulting in dizziness, slurred speech, and gradual brain damage. Hand sanitizers are encouraged only if water and soap are not available and applied in only dime-sized amounts. Opt for a foaming formula that dries more quickly and for the nail biters, avoid nibbling after applying the sanitizer.
Air Fresheners. We use the handy weapon to attack funky smells around the house and offer pleasing scents to make our lives more exciting. With mists of delight emitting with a simple press of a button, it’s hard to deny the fun in cans of air fresheners as well. But, what many fail to realize is that air fresheners coat nasal passages with an oil form known as methoxychlor. Coating of nasal passages interferes with our ability to smell, releases nerve-deadening agents into our system, and sometimes even causes nausea, dizziness and fatigue. A known chemical also found in air fresheners is phenol, a disinfectant that causes skin to burn and peel upon contact. Air fresheners are also detrimental to the environment when they react with the air to produce ozone. High levels of ozone not only damage the environment, but also pose as a health risk to people and animals alike. Ridding trash can smells by adding baking soda and popping windows open instead of aggressively spraying Oust will protect ourselves and the environment.
Dishwashing Liquids. It is difficult to argue that dishwashing soap is unnecessary because it is an everyday necessity that allows us to reuse dishes and pans. But, choosing the right dishwashing liquid is crucial to our health. A common component of detergents is triclosan, a bacteria-fighting chemical that mixes with the natural chlorine in tap water to form chloroform. The presence of chloroform in drinking water has proved to be the cause of human bladder cancers and miscarriages. Every time a dish is washed, some residue is left on the surface and steadily accumulates after every wash. We also ingest the chemical when hot foods absorb the residue and end up mixing with chloroform. Tips to avoid chemical poisoning include using a variety of plates and bowls rather than sticking with the same one every night and avoiding dishwashing soaps that contain high levels of triclosan.
In our efforts to externally protect ourselves from the vicious bacteria that roam the world around us, we just might be damaging ourselves internally. But, with the right precautions and knowledge gained, you can now squish, spray and squirt to your heart’s content, with moderation of course.