A study reported in Environmental Health says that there is a correlation between the use of certain cleaning products and breast cancer. The largest correlation was between breast cancer and the use of mold and mildew cleaners and air fresheners. The chemicals most likely to be causing the breast cancer are synthetic musks, phthalates, 1,4-dichlorobenzene, terpenes, benzene and styrene and some antimicrobial agents.
These kinds of studies only serve to point out areas for future research; they don't prove a cause of the disease. The researchers look at a large population of women, some with cancer and some without, and interview them regarding their use of a range of products. By comparing the product use with the occurence of breast cancer, they can see if people who use a product tend to get breast cancer when compared to the people who don't use the product. This relies on the memory of the women and ignores their exposure to other sources of toxicity. So further research is needed, perhaps in carefully controlled animal studies, to explore the body's response to these chemicals.
Should You Be Concerned?
Yes. Even though the study didn't prove causation, it only makes sense to simplify and reduce your exposure to chemicals. For instance, in this study, the rate of breast cancer in women who used air fresheners was twice that of women who did not. Therefore, it would be more prudent to clean a room than to spray it with air freshening perfumes which are known to contain phthalates, a chemical known to cause multiple problems in humans.
You should also be concerned that the manufacturers aren't required to tell you what's in their products. Since the manufacturers are obviously more concerned with their profits and less concerned with your health, the best thing to do is to avoid costly commercial products and use common household chemicals--soap, vinegar, baking soda, and hydogen peroxide.
Common chemicals used in commercial cleaning products that may not be on the labels!
- 1,4-dichlorobenzene: Found in air fresheners, toilet bowl cleaners and other household cleaning products, 1,4-dichlorobenzene is present in the blood of nearly all Americans. It causes lung damage and organ system toxicity.
- Terpenes: Commonly used in household cleaners with pine, lemon or orange scents, terpenes interact with ozone in the air to produce toxic substances similar to formaldehyde, a known carcinogen.
- Benzene: Also common in cleaning agents, benzene is a known human carcinogen and has been linked to increased risk of leukemia and other blood diseases, along with organ system toxicity.
- Styrene: Linked to cancer, birth or developmental effects, organ system toxicity, and problems with reproduction and fertility.
- Phenol: A common ingredient in household detergents like Lysol, Pine-Sol and Spic-n-Span. It’s also found in mouthwash. Phenol is toxic and people who are hypersensitive can experience serious side effects at very low levels. Studies have linked phenols to damage to your respiratory and circulatory systems, heart damage, respiratory problems, damage to your liver, kidneys and eyes
- Nonylphenol ethoxylates (NPEs), a common ingredient in laundry detergents and all-purpose cleaners, is banned in Europe, and known to be a potent endocrine disrupter. It’s already thought to be the cause of male fish transforming into females in waterways around the world.
- Formaldehyde, found in spray and wick deodorizers, is a suspected carcinogen.
- Petroleum solvents in floor cleaners may damage mucous membranes.
- Butyl cellosolve, found in many all-purpose and window cleaners, may damage your kidneys, bone marrow, liver and nervous system.
- Triclosan, the active ingredient in most antibacterial products, not only kills bacteria, it also has been shown to kill human cells.
Cheaper, less costly, cleaning alternatives
- For general cleaning: soap and water
- For cleaning and disinfecting: 3% hydrogen peroxide and vinegar
- For cleaning glass: vinegar
- For scrubbing floors: castile soap, vinegar and maybe a little essential oils for fragrance
- For fabric softening your laundry: vinegar
- For bleaching clothes: hydrogen peroxide
- For getting rid of musty fabric smells: put vodka in a mister and spray the furniture. This will also kill bees and wasps.
