A study has shown that commonly used household cleaning products can release 100S of harmful VOCs, or volatile organic compounds.
The study evaluated 30 cleaning products such as air fresheners, glass cleaners and multi-purpose cleaners.
Researchers analyzed conventional products as well as eco-friendly cleaning products, and a total of 530 VOCs were found in the 30 products tested.
193 of these VOCs were found to be harmful and were defined as potentially harmful to health, including increased risk of cancer, damage to respiratory systems, and reproductive and developmental health risks.
Cleaning product VOCs impact indoor and outdoor air quality. However, they contaminate indoor air 2 to 5 times, with some estimates up to 10 times more than outdoor air. Certain products emit VOCs for days, weeks and even months.
The results highlight one way to minimize exposure to harmful VOCs by selecting “green” products, particularly products that are both “green” and fragrance-free.
The study found that products labeled Green released about half the number of VOCs compared to traditional products.
The green products classified as fragrance-free also produced the lowest VOC emissions, almost 8 times less than conventional and four times less than scented green products.
This was also observed for the amount of VOCs considered harmful in the products. Only 4 chemicals classified as harmful were released from the green products compared to approximately 15 in scented green products and 22 for conventional products.
This suggests that opting for green or even fragrance-free green cleaning products could be the sensible choice for people concerned about indoor air quality and potential health risks.
The health effects of VOCs are particularly concerning given the number of people exposed in the workplace.
Research shows that industrial cleaning workers have a 43% higher risk of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and a 50% higher risk of asthma.
Women who work in the cleaning industry are also at higher risk of lung cancer.
Children’s health could also be at risk. Other research has shown that increased use of some interior cleaners during pregnancy and infancy is associated with a higher risk of wheezing and asthma in childhood.
The results of the study are important for both environmental health and human health. VOCs with consumer products may play a role in outdoor air pollution and contribute to current environmental problems.
A 2018 study found that 50% of VOCs responsible for air pollution come from consumer products.
Choosing green cleaning products is an easy way to reduce harmful chemical exposure. This could be particularly important for the health of women and children.