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Laundry Detergents' Harmful Side Effects for Humans

By Janelle Elizabeth

Republish: EasyPublish™
Published: 20Sep2008
Word count: 410
Viewed: 1248 time(s)

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Something as simple and ordinary as cleaning your clothes in a washing machine can have serious repercussions. The chemicals used in these cleaning agents are hardly user-friendly.

In fact, many of them contain cancer-causing chemicals, as well as other harmful toxins. As a consumer, you should familiarize with some of the common terminology that is often overlooked but may have longer lasting ramifications than ever before thought.

When looking at a label on laundry detergent, there are some specific ingredients to watch out for and avoid. Some of these chemicals have even been banned or restricted due to their noxious side effects.

One such common chemical found in laundry detergent are petroleum distillates, or napthas. Having been linked to cancer, lung damage and/or inflammation, and mucous membrane damage, this is a very harmful chemical.

In the same vein, phenols are yet another harmful chemical. The National Institutes of Health (NIH) has declared that phenol is toxic to people, especially those who are hypersensitive. The hypersensitive population could experience very dangerous side effects or even death, even at low exposures. Additionally, it can absorb very rapidly, causing toxicity through the whole body.

Should phenol be absorbed into the body, death and toxicity are prone to attack the central nervous system, heart, blood vessels, lungs and kidneys.

Further, another active ingredient in laundry detergent is household bleach, or sodium hypochlorite. Responsible for the majority of household poisonings, this chemical is a forerunner to chlorine.

When it reacts with other organic materials, the results are even more harmful. Carcinogenic and toxic compounds are created. These can cause damage or disorders to the reproductive system, endocrine and immune systems.

With so many disadvantages to using traditional laundry detergents, it s no surprise that consumers are becoming more educated about what it takes to go green and make changes for the better in their own homes and in the world. From fragrance to whiteners, detergents have become increasingly dangerous to use, especially on a regular basis.

Many who have families do laundry on such a frequent basis that these dangers posed by toxins should not go ignored. As the awareness grows for the dangers of the chemicals found in laundry detergents and other similar products, companies will have to shift their focus to a greener, safer line of goods.

Alternatives are now being developed to curtail the use of these potentially harmful products to preserve our own health, as well as the environment.

With every wash, you run the risk of polluting our envionment and affecting the health of your family. Its time to investigate the alternatives to laundry detergent.

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