A recent study, published in the Chemosphere journal, has revealed that numerous cleaning products – including commonly utilised items such as air fresheners, multi-purpose cleaners, and glass cleaners – possess the ability to emit numerous volatile organic compounds (VOCs) that can lead to cancer.
According to the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), VOCs are chemical compounds characterised by high vapour pressure and low water solubility, enabling them to be readily released into the air.
VOCs can accumulate within indoor environments like homes, lingering in the air for extended durations, as indicated by the EPA. Nonetheless, many of these compounds are known to have adverse effects on health, both in the short and long term, thus excessive exposure is a cause for concern. Prolonged exposure to VOCs has been linked to health issues, including an increased risk of lung cancer and a higher likelihood of cardiovascular diseases.
The research team identified 530 distinct VOCs among the 30 products, with 193 of these flagged as potentially hazardous.
However, the study also found that certain categories of cleaning products exhibited lower levels of VOCs compared to others.”Green” cleaning products, touted as being more environmentally friendly, exhibited fewer VOCs than their conventional counterparts. Additionally, those products devoid of fragrances showed reduced VOC levels.
In order to minimise health risks associated with VOCs, Dr. Kevin Huffman, CEO and Founder of AmBari Nutrition, suggested using “low VOC” or “VOC-free” cleaning products. Additionally, he stressed the importance of adequate ventilation during product use, achieved by opening windows and doors to disperse harmful fumes. Homemade cleaning solutions incorporating ingredients like vinegar and baking soda were also recommended as safe alternatives to store-bought cleaners. Huffman’s final advice was to store cleaning products out of the reach of children to reduce their potential exposure.
