Green cleaning

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Green cleaning has been coined to describe a trend away from chemically-reactive and toxic cleaning products which contain various toxic chemicals some of which emit volatile organic compounds (VOCs) causing respiratory and dermatological problems among other adverse effects. Green cleaning can also describe the way residential and industrial cleaning products are manufactured, packaged and distributed. If the manufacturing process is environmentally-friendly and the products are biodegradable, then the term 'green' or eco-friendly may apply.

Standards set by the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) limit human and environmental exposure to toxic chemicals but do not entirely eliminate them in general.^{[citation needed]} Reading the small print on labels is the only way to verify the components of a product but manufacturing, packaging and distribution may all contribute to environmental degradation.

Green cleaning companies are held to higher standards in general than federal or state-mandated 'green' cleaning rules.^{[citation needed]} The purpose of 'going green' is to address human illnesses that arise from exposure as well as damage to the environment (water, soil, air) from disposal of these products. The role chemical exposure has in creating allergic sensitivities, reducing immunity, and contributing to cancer and other diseases, is a long-respected field of research in medicine.^{[citation needed]} For example, research on human and animal exposure to formaldehyde (formalin), benzene and other solvents has resulted in legislation to limit exposure but has not completely banned these products.^{[citation needed]} [1]

1 Chemicals used
2 Future
3 See also
4 External links

[edit] Chemicals used

Harmful chemicals are prevalent not only in cleaning products but also in foods, cosmetics, home construction, clothing and many industries. Among the more common toxic ingredients are phosphates, chlorine bleach, napthas and mineral spirits, phthalates found in furniture polish, ether-type solvents, methylene chloride, butyl cellosive and petroleum distillates found in oven cleaner, sulfuric acid and sodium hydroxide in drain cleaners.

[edit] Future

There are new 'green' products coming on the market everyday eliminating or limiting VOCs with comparable ability to disinfect as the more traditional disinfectant products.^{[citation needed]} Green cleaning is a growing field and will likely have a major impact on all cleaning that attempts to protect human life and minimize environmental impact.^{[citation needed]} Benefits include minimizing exposure to substances harmful to immune-compromised people as well as those who may be continually exposed to these substances.^{[citation needed]}