by Danielle Lemire and Tara Lindsay
The cost of doing laundry or unclogging the drain is far greater than the price we pay at the supermarket. Most of us have learned that the best cleaners must have strong scents and warning labels on them to conquer dirt. Common cleaning products injure lungs, skin and our reproductive and endocrine systems. Children are particularly vulnerable because they absorb more chemical residues through their immature lungs and intestines than fully developed adults.
These toxins go down millions of people's drains, where they contaminate water systems. Spreading sewage sludge on farmlands gets the toxins into ground water systems as well, affecting natural soil ecology, and ending up in our food [See "When the Sludge Hits the Fields" Watershed Sentinel Dec. 00/Jan. 01].
Our food and water supply is also being poisoned with pesticide residue and run off. Pesticides are designed for specific pest management purposes, but they also have many unintentional impacts. Active ingredients are nerve poisons, interfere with growth hormones, or suppress or over-activate natural enzymes. Most pesticides also include other chemicals that are not listed on the label but are often as toxic or more toxic than the active ingredients. In addition to killing target pests, pesticides kill beneficial insects and plants that help keep pests under control creating a downward spiral of pesticide dependency.
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Things to Look For When You Buy Cleaning Products and Pesticides:
Biodegradable doesn't necessarily mean that its good for the environment. Most things biodegrade eventually and sometimes the compounds they biodegrade into are even worse. |
Whether it's down the drain or in a yard or farmer's field, these chemicals are dangerous to the environment, often being toxic to fish, aquatic plants, and microorganisms as well as terrestrial wildlife including natural pollinators that we are dependent on for food production. These threats are in addition to the threat they pose to our families and pets, who are exposed to them during handling, use, and in the residues they leave. According to the World Health Organization, 20,000 people die each year as a direct result of pesticide poisoning and, in Canada, thousands of children visit emergency wards after accidentally ingesting pesticides (World Wildlife Fund, 2000). Some pesticides are associated with chronic health impacts in wildlife and humans. They often leach beyond their target areas.
The problem we face is knowing which products are toxic and what alternatives are available. To help people kick toxic chemicals out of their home the Georgia Strait Alliance is offering free Home Visits in Greater Victoria until mid-March. ToxicSmart Educators visit homes and do an inventory of household products, offering information on less-toxic and often less-costly alternatives. They provide a free information kit and help with specific concerns regarding household product toxins. In Victoria contact the Georgia Strait Alliance at (250)381-8321 to book a free home visit.
Your house may be clean, but what does clean really mean and what does it cost?
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Some Simple Cleaning Tips All Purpose Cleaner: 125 ml pure soap + 4 l hot water OR 60 ml baking soda/ borax + 1L hot water, to cut grease add 60 ml lemon juice Automatic Dishwasher Detergent / Dish Soap: Hand-washing with soap flakes dissolved in hot water (add vinegar to cut grease) Bathroom Cleaners: Clean regularly with soap & hot water. For tub & tile, use baking soda with a firm bristle brush OR 125 ml pure soap, 4 I hot water with baking soda. For mould/grout, use vinegar. Disinfectant: 125 ml borax with 1L hot water Drain Cleaner: Cover drains with a screen to keep out debris. Use a plumbers snake or plunger to clear drain. Pour 125 ml vinegar & 125 ml baking soda into drain. Cover tightly 1 minute them flush with water. Next use 125 ml salt + 125 ml baking soda + 1.5 I boiling water. Let sit several hours then flush with water. |
[From WS February/March 2001]