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Chemicals in the home

Ever wondered where you can go to check the ingredients in your cleaning and home products?

Well the Environmental Working Group (EWG ) is the place. It is a not for profit organization in the United States. It is a highly regarded reference point for detailed ingredient, chemical and product information. They have a dedicated blog to kid safe chemicals which is although USA focussed is worth checking out.

Ecostore has compiled the following reference list for common ‘nasty’ chemicals you will find in many home products. It’s worth checking what you’re exposing your family to, after all, the skin is your bodies largest organ. Our ‘nasty’ chemicals list also references whether the chemical is particularly harmful to the environment as well.

“Not all chemicals are bad – water is a chemical after all – but it can be difficult at times to decide what’s safe and what’s not. That’s why we practice the precautionary approach – if there is any doubt about the safety of an ingredient for people’s health or the environment, we will find a safer alternative. We believe if a natural or man-made chemical raises concerns of harm to our health or our planet, precautionary measures should be taken – even if not yet fully established scientifically” ecostore founder Malcolm Rands

The Nasty Chemicals

Ingredients Index*
1,2,3-Benzotriazole

Benzotriazole is classified as a suspected human carcinogen by the Health Council of the Netherlands. It has also been shown to cause contact dermatitis, and can be very irritating to eyes.
Due to its low biodegradability and low absorption tendency, it is only partly removed in wastewater treatment. This can result in in significant amounts of benzotriazole being discharged into waterways, where it is toxic to aquatic life.

References:
1. Health Council of the Netherlands: 1,2,3-Benzotriazole. Health-based recommended occupational exposure limit. The Hague: Health Council of the Netherlands, 2000
2. Pillard, D. A., Cornell, J. S., Dufresne, D. L., & Hernandez, M. T. (2001). Toxicity of benzotriazole and benzotriazole derivatives to tHicks Real Estatee aquatic species. Water Research, 35(2), 557-560.

To read more of this article please visit the http://www.liveability.com.au/little-things/the-healthy-home/

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