Healthy Cleaning Guide - Cleaning and Health

Healthy Cleaning Guide

Cleaning materials are used for four different purposes. The first purpose is to remove surface contaminants; the second purpose is to maintain surfaces and ensure they look shiny; the third purpose is to disinfect the surface from microbes; the fourth purpose is to eliminate bad odors and create pleasant scents.

Actually, yes. Soap, whose main ingredients are vegetable and/or animal oils or fatty acids reacting with alkaline substances [Sodium hydroxide (NaOH), Potassium hydroxide (KOH), etc.], is produced as a result of this reaction and is generally the first and oldest cleaning and personal care product used for cleaning the human body, living beings, and objects. Unfortunately, soaps lost their former importance in the 1940s and were replaced by newly discovered detergents.

Chemicals that cleaning materials may contain can have acute (sudden) and chronic (long-term) effects on human health. Cleaning materials cause health problems through direct contact with skin, eyes, and other sensitive organs or through exposure and inhalation of their penetrating components and vapors.

Bleach, ammonia-containing detergents (glass cleaner sprays, etc.), powder detergents, room perfumes can cause symptoms such as tearing and burning in the eyes, burning in the throat, sneezing, and runny nose. Bleach, hydrochloric acid, caustics (dirt and grease removers, oven cleaners, toilet and sink uncloggers, etc.), liquid detergents, disinfectants, and their mixtures can lead to respiratory complaints such as coughing, chest burning, shortness of breath, and wheezing.

Many cleaning materials have highly corrosive effects on the skin and low irritant effects. Intense and/or long-term exposure to a chemical substance can cause irritation and even skin burns on the skin, eyes, upper and lower respiratory tracts.

The less high doses of cleaning materials we use in workplaces and homes, the less adverse the health effects will be. Therefore, we should reduce the dose and frequency of the cleaning materials we use and, if possible, rinse with water afterward.

Mixing bleach with acidic products can cause respiratory distress requiring emergency room visits, severe respiratory failure, and risk of death. Although some believe mixing bleach and acidic products provides better cleaning, this is very wrong information and can lead to very serious health consequences. When these two chemicals mix, a chemical reaction occurs, bleach and hydrochloric acid lose their intended cleaning purposes and become harmful, additionally producing chlorine gas, which is very dangerous for health. If exposure time is long and ventilation is insufficient, individuals experience eye and respiratory system irritation.

Mixing cleaning materials containing ammonia and chlorine is also strictly not recommended; when used together, they produce deadly ammonium chloride gas. Ammonia poses a danger to our lungs, and when mixed with chlorine, it can form compounds that cause cancer. Mild exposure symptoms include nasal irritation, conjunctivitis, dry throat, cough, and mild shortness of breath. More severe exposure adds symptoms such as significant shortness of breath, headache, cough, expectoration of white-pink sputum, chest pain, and vomiting.

Reading labels of materials, knowing their contents, and preferring cleaning products with the least hazard possible is very important. It is recommended to choose products that do not contain or contain minimal volatile organic compounds (VOCs), fragrant essences, irritants, and flammable substances. Spray-type cleaning materials and those with high volatility cause more respiratory complaints and their use in this form should be avoided.

For safer cleaning, warm water and soap (or black soap) can be preferred as an alternative. For cleaning surfaces, baking soda and for glass cleaning, a vinegar-water mixture may be sufficient. Ventilation of the cleaning area during cleaning is very important; especially in narrow spaces like bathrooms and toilets, doors should be kept open and windows and ventilation systems should be used if available.

Cleaning materials contain many chemical substances, some of which are toxic. Cleaning materials pose health risks not only to the cleaner but also to individuals sharing the same environment, and they also cause environmental pollution.

The cause of environmental pollution from cleaning materials is mainly due to chemicals entering sewage systems and reaching water sources and soil, adversely affecting aquatic life. Some cleaning chemicals, even at high doses, can increase the biological oxygen demand of surface waters and harm bacteria in wastewater treatment plants. Some chemicals can be toxic to aquatic and surrounding organisms even at low doses. These substances remain undegraded in water and soil, reach streams, lakes, and seas, threatening the health of living beings there and humans who consume them.

Phosphates are used in laundry and dish detergents to improve performance and soften water. Phosphates are the main cause of toxic blue-green algae (cyanobacteria) blooms that invade rivers, lakes, and poorly flowing bays. When these algae settle and decompose at the bottom, bottom waters become oxygen-depleted and hydrogen sulfide gas (with a rotten egg-like smell) is released. This is one of the major environmental problems causing the end of aquatic life. Therefore, phosphate use in detergents has been restricted.