A peer-reviewed study by scientists from the Environmental Working Group found disturbing details about the potential health risks of common household cleaning products. The study analyzed 30 cleaning products, including all-purpose cleaners, glass cleaners, air fresheners and more. Studies have found that these everyday products may release hundreds of harmful volatile organic compounds, known as VOCs. The research results were published in the journal Chemosphere on September 12.
Researchers tested conventional and "green" cleaning products and detected a total of 530 unique VOCs in 30 products. Of these, 193 VOCs are hazardous - identified as having the potential to cause health hazards such as respiratory damage, increased cancer risk, and developmental and reproductive effects.
Volatile organic compounds in cleaning products can affect air quality both indoors and outdoors. But they pollute indoor air 2 to 5 times more than outdoor air, with some estimates even as high as 10 times. Some products can release VOCs over days, weeks or even months.
"This study serves as a wake-up call for consumers, researchers and regulators to become more aware of the potential risks associated with the large number of chemicals entering indoor air," said Alexis Temkin, Ph.D., EWG senior toxicologist. "Our findings highlight one way to reduce exposure to harmful VOCs - choosing 'green' products, especially those that are 'green' and 'fragrance-free'."
The study concluded that products with a "green" label emitted fewer volatile organic compounds than conventional products, on average about half as much. Green products classified as "fragrance-free" also emit the fewest volatile organic compounds, nearly eight times less than conventional products and four times less than green products with fragrance on the label.
This pattern holds true for the amounts of VOCs in products that are considered harmful. On average, green products emit only four chemicals classified as hazardous, compared with approximately 15 chemicals from fragrance-containing green products and 22 chemicals from conventional products.
This suggests that for consumers concerned about indoor air quality and potential health risks, choosing green or fragrance-free green cleaning products is a wise move.
The health hazards of VOCs are particularly concerning because many Americans may be exposed to them in the workplace. Studies show that people who work in the cleaning industry have a 50% higher risk of developing asthma and a 43% higher risk of COPD. Women who work in this field also have an increased risk of lung cancer. Children's health may also be at risk. Some studies have shown that greater use of certain house cleaners in utero and in infancy is associated with a higher risk of asthma and wheezing in childhood.
"These cleaning products may harm our health, but they may also harm the environment," said Samara Geller, EWG's senior director of cleaning science.
The results of this study have implications not only for human health, but also for environmental health. Volatile organic compounds emitted by consumer products can cause outdoor air pollution and exacerbate existing environmental problems. A 2018 study estimated that half of the volatile organic compounds responsible for air pollution come from consumer products.
"Using green cleaning products is a simple way to reduce your exposure to harmful chemicals. This may be especially important for the health of women and children," Geller said.