We could write a book about the harmful chemicals you find in a lot of household cleaning products. Not just the potential negative effects on your own health but also the devastating effects they can have on the environment.
Phosphates, which are found in a lot of household cleaning products, are terrible news for aquatic life. Even modern water treatment plants can only remove about 30% of it from water. Which leaves about 70% of it left to flow uninhibited into our waterways. Too many phosphates in a river or pond will kill fish. Even slightly elevated levels can cause suffering to wildlife.
Bleach, although found in most people’s cleaning cupboards, is very bad for a huge swathe of ecosystems. It is so bad, in fact, that there are calls among environmental groups to have bleach banned for domestic use. Once it gets into the water, it can react with other chemicals to form dioxins. Medical News Today says that dioxins “can cause problems with reproduction, development, and the immune system. They can also disrupt hormones and lead to cancer. Known as persistent environmental pollutants (POPs), dioxins can remain in the environment for many years”.
Using eco friendly cleaning products means that you can avoid the use of harsh chemicals like the above. Not only will this help to protect your family from potential hazards, it will also reduce the quantities of dangerous solutions being released into the environment.
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