Hidden Hazards in Green Products

April 30, 2015

The increasingly ubiquitous consumer desire to protect the environment has given way to a world-wide, multi-billion dollar green industry. From household cleaners to building materials and everything in between, today’s market place offers a plethora of so-called environmentally friendly “green” products. Nevertheless, recent research suggests that many green products feature hidden hazards that are not necessarily disclosed to the public.

Indeed, researchers have recently discovered that products such as air fresheners, cleaning products, laundry detergents, and personal hygiene products emitted volatile organic compounds (VOCs) regardless of whether these products were labelled as green or organic. More shockingly, many of these VOCs are classified as hazardous or toxic according to regulations in the United States.

Consumers should be especially vigilant about fragranced products. While VOCs may be present in fragrance and fragrance-free products, fragranced “green” products appear to be no safer than regular fragranced products. More specifically, many fragranced products emit carcinogenic and other hazardous air pollutants that can be harmful to your health. Unfortunately, most exposure to air pollutants occurs indoors as we are more likely to come into contact with a range of consumer products. However, there is no legislation that requires manufacturers to list all the ingredients in these green products, and specifically the makeup of the fragrances.

Among the most common hidden hazards in green products are chemicals known as terpenes. Though not usually found in fragrance-free products, terpenes in fragranced green products are known to react with ozone to release formaldehyde, ultrafine, and other polluting particles.

So what does this mean for the average consumer? Unfortunately, there are a number of important consequences related to the presence of harmful pollutants in green products. Namely, many of the most common environmentally-safe products used throughout North America in schools, homes, hospitals, and other buildings may release harmful toxins into the environment. Manufacturers are not required to list all ingredients in these products, so consumers should be especially aware of any products that list “fragrance” as an ingredient. Moreover, even products listed as “all-natural,” “organic,” or “non-toxic” may emit these volatile organic compounds.

Ultimately, ensuring the health and safety of your family is in your hands. Consider the following tips:

If you prefer to buy cleaning and personal products, always choose “fragrance-free” alternatives.
Avoid using air fresheners.
Contact product manufacturers directly for a safety data sheet on product ingredients, but be aware that manufacturers may still not disclose all ingredients in their products.
Consider making your own green cleaning products such as a simple mixture of vinegar and water as an all-purpose cleaner. Other common, safe household ingredients that are great for cleaning include baking soada, lemon juice, hydrogen peroxide, and rubbing alcohol.