The dirty truth

Every day, families and workers use dozens of cleaners, beauty products and other substances in their homes and workplaces. Ironically, many of the things we use to clean and beautify our surroundings and ourselves are in fact harmful to our health and the air. Studies show that exposure to household chemicals can cause cancer, asthma and other health issues. And with more than 39 million Californians using these products, the cumulative effect poses a serious environmental threat.

Hazardous to your health

Studies show that exposure to household chemicals can cause:

• Cancer
• Asthma
• Headaches
• Dizziness
• Visual disorders
• Memory impairment
• Nausea/vomiting
• Long-term damage to the liver, kidneys and central nervous system

Effects on the environment

• Harmful chemicals in cleaning products are a significant source of indoor and outdoor air pollution.
• Many of the emissions from cleaning products linger for hours after use and can result in indoor levels 1,000 times worse than outdoor levels.
• These chemicals combine with other pollutants to create ground-level ozone, a potent greenhouse gas that harms human health and contributes to smog and global warming.

Worse for our workers

Employees such as janitors and car wash workers are on the front lines of exposure to the hazardous emissions and other toxic chemicals in these products. Many workers are members of ethnic minority populations that often have limited access to health care services or proper information on the harmful effects of these products.

What are VOCs?

Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) are found in many consumer and industrial products, including paint thinners, mulit-purpose solvents and household cleaners. They contribute to smog and harm human health. Many VOCs linger for hours after use and can result in indoor air pollution levels up to 1,000 times worse than outdoor air quality! This can trigger asthma attacks and cause dizziness, nausea and even cancer; yet each year, more than 1 million gallons of high-VOC paint thinners and multi-purpose solvents are sold in Southern California alone. If left unchecked, cleaning and other consumer products will eventually surpass cars to become the largest source of VOCs in California.

Green Cleaner Recipes

Making your own household cleaners is a great way to reduce your exposure to harmful chemicals and save money! Download our print-and-cut Greener Cleaner recipe cards in English and Spanish.

Find more recipes at Women's Voices for the Earth, and visit Yahoo's “Shine” blog for 25 ways to clean with vinegar.

Links

Federal and State Government Sites

• California Air Resources Board’s Consumer Products Program
• California Dept. of Toxic Substances Control’s Green Chemistry Initiative is an effort to reduce toxic chemicals in products
• Environmentally Preferable Purchasing by the U.S. EPA provides information on green products
• South Coast Air Quality Management District’s Clean Air Solvent (CAS) Certification Program
• South Coast Air Quality Management District’sCertified Clean Air Choice
• U.S. EPA’s Design for the Environment (DfE) offers information and expertise on the development  and identification of safe chemicals and products
• Cleaning Products and Work-Related Asthma
  From the Occupational Health Branch of the California Department of Public Health

Organization Sites

• Environmental Working Group’s Skin Deep identifies safe cosmetics and other personal care products
• Green Guard uses a unique certification system, focusing on indoor pollution levels to identify green products
• Green Seal certifies and offers a database of green products
• INFORM prides itself on more than three decades of identifying innovative technologies, practices and products that provide practical solutions to complex environmental and health-related problems
• The Campaign for Safe Cosmetics encourages cosmetic companies to remove harmful, toxic chemicals from their products
• Women's Health and the Environment provides many helpful resources for nail salon employees

Reports

CCA reports

Other reports

Fact Sheets

To find out more or get involved, contact Luis Cabrales at (213) 223 – 6868.