Our environment plays a vital role in everyone’s lives and it is our responsibility to do our share in preserving it. How? By using products that are free of ingredients that pose a threat. There are various household chemicals that we, as consumers, use everyday that harm both ourselves and our environment. Two of the most common are phosphates and chlorine bleach.
THE DANGER OF PHOSPHATES
Phosphates are molecules which, if introduced into our rivers, oceans, lakes and streams, could lead to algae overgrowth. This overgrowth poses a hazard to our ecosystem because when large amounts of algae die they consume massive amounts of oxygen. Which results in the death of the plants and animals that inhabit are waterways. Phosphates have been commonly used in laundry detergents and dishwasher detergents, however, their use in laundry detergents have been outlawed due to this environmental risk. But, on the contrary, they are still a major ingredient in most dishwasher detergents.
WHY ARE PHOSPHATES USED?
Phosphates are used as a water softener and they also make cleansers more effective. Manufacturers use them because they are a cheaper means of making an effective product.
WHAT YOU DIDN’T KNOW ABOUT CHLORINE BLEACH
For years, chlorine bleach has been a common household item. It is found in just about every cleaner on the market. Why? Again, it’s a cheaper way of making an effective cleaning product. But what you don’t know is that when mixed with the hot water from either your dishwasher or washing machine, chlorine fumes are created and released into the air in the form of a mist.
The fumes emitted by chlorine bleach have been known to cause headaches, fatinge, burning of the eyes and difficulty breathing. How many times have you had to open your window for ventilation while cleaning with products containing chlorine bleach? Well, I can tell you that needed to do so EVERY time I cleaned. The American Association of Poison control reported that during the 1990’s, there were 462,000 cases of accidental poisoning due to chlorine bleach. As a matter of fact, chlorine bleach has been the most common cause of accidental poisoning cases in North America! Scary isn’t it? If you would like more information on household toxins and what you can do to create a toxic free home environment visit http://www.puretorganics.fourpointwellness.com/