On a typical cleaning day in a typical Canadian home, levels of chemicals in the indoor air can be hundreds, even thousands of times higher than the outdoor air in the most polluted of cities. In fact, indoor air pollution levels would be high enough to trigger an inspection by health and safety authorities in any workplace setting. Source: The Nature of Things, CBC-TV 2002.” The ingredients contained in conventional petrochemical-based cleaning products are not usually listed on labels. Many, but not all, less-toxic products will have ingredients listed on their labels.

“In Canada, manufacturers and distributors of household cleaning products are not required by law to list ingredients on their labels. If there are explosive or poisonous symbols on the label there is probably at least one chemical in the product.” Kathy Cooper — a senior researcher with the Canadian Environmental Law Association — says there's a lot we don't know about the chemicals in our cleaners. Companies are not required to tell us. "For cleaning products in particular, the only thing the label will tell you is whether it is seriously toxic…if you swallow it or get it in your eye, or will the container blow up…but you don’t have any information about…long term toxicity."

“Household cleaning products can add to indoor air pollution, leave residues on surfaces and gradually send toxins out into the home when they're stored. The strong chemicals in cleaning products often provide far more cleaning power than what is needed. Some of these products are strong poisons and others contain ingredients that may be toxic.” Source: Children’s Health & Environment

“More than 32 million pounds of household cleaning products are poured down the drain each day." "The toxic substances found in many of these are not adequately removed by sewage treatment plants. Guess what happens when these are returned to the rivers from which cities draw their drinking water?” Source: CCA Newsletter Partners. Click here for more details

Children can be sensitive to the chemicals in everyday cleaning products, especially if they have allergies or asthma. Because children spend 80% to 90% of their time indoors, cleaning products can pose health risks for them.” Source: Canadian Health Network.

Women who work at home have a 54% higher death rate from cancer than those who work away from home. The 15-year study concluded it was as a direct result of the much higher exposure rate to toxic chemicals in common household products!” Source: Toronto Indoor Air Conference 1990

“What's under your kitchen sink, in your garage, in your bathroom, and on the shelves in your laundry room? Learn more about what's in these products, about potential health effects, and about safety and handling.” Source: National Library of Medicine. Click here for more details..

Studies show that some chemical ingredients used in cleaning products increase the risk of long-term health problems, such as cancer and asthma, as well as short-term health problems, such as headaches and skin irritation. Chemicals that pose health risks are often considered toxic. Children exposed to toxic chemicals in household cleaning products may become more susceptible to cancers, later in life. This risk can be avoided or minimized as there are many inexpensive and non-toxic cleaning product alternatives.” Source: The Health and Environmental Awareness.