(WXYZ) - Whether you own or rent your home you could have dangerous chemicals lurking in the products you use to clean it. Carolyn Clifford reports there are safer alternatives.
Bleach and kitchen cleanser may seem harmless enough when used alone but when you start mixing home cleaning products you could create a concoction that could land you or your loved one in a hospital bed.
From chemical sprays to powdered cleanser, they appear harmless. But lurking inside these containers are sometimes dangerous chemicals that can spell disaster.
Nancy McDonald describes a frightening experience with her teenaged daughter, Kathy, “She’s having trouble breathing. I got in the house and she was blue. I called 911 and within a couple of minutes she was unconscious.”
Kathy McDonald was born a preemie and has lived with respiratory problems for 17 years. Last year an asthma attack nearly took her breath away.
“I told my dad, I don’t want to die.” Kathy tearfully remembers. Her mom says that was just before she went unconscious.
Kathy is never without a few lifesavers: her EpiPen and rescue inhaler are always in her purse. Four times a day she uses a nebulizer.
Kathy’s mom also takes extra precautions around the house especially with bathroom and kitchen cleansers, “Definitely bleach is strong or anything with ammonia in it is a good trigger.”
These cleansers often contain sodium hydroxide and sulfuric acid which can damage your eyes, lungs and skin. This ranks number one on our dangerous chemical list.
Plain old bleach is so powerful that when mixed with other cleaning products it could form dangerous toxic gases.
Allergist, Dr. Devang Doshi says whether you’re healthy or have any chronic condition anyone can get very sick and potentially end up in the hospital.
Dr. Doshi says use only one product at a time, keep the area ventilated and leave the room if you feel faint or can’t breathe.
Number 2 on our list. House paints can send off a strong odor so be careful when you’re ordering paint for your home.
Dr. Doshi says, “paint is dangerous, especially when you’re using it in an unventilated area, or poorly ventilated area. Of course try to minimize the exposure of the paint everywhere else in the house.”
Number 3 on our list: dry cleaned clothing can release perchloroethylene or perc, a possible human carcinogen..
Dr. Doshi: “It’s still a very good cleaning product. But there are a lot of manufacturers that are moving away from that and looking for a more environmentally friendly chemical”
So when you come home with dry cleaning remove the bags immediately and let any chemicals air out.
Carpets come in 4th on our list. Ask for formaldehyde-free adhesives when you get new carpet installed.Also keep your windows open and run a fan for a few days.
Number 5—Air fresheners can irritate your eyes, skin or respiratory track.
Nancy McDonald found this to be true with Kathy, “Definitely air fresheners, I had picked one from a specialty store, I think it was cinnamon spice or something and I sprayed it and she came down she said I can’t take that spray it’s irritating me so we pitched it.”
And some synthetic fragrances have been linked to hormonal abnormalities, birth defects and reproductive problems.
Instead, try something more natural like a box of baking soda..
Sixth on our list--pest control.
Those roach and ant killers can cause headaches, nausea, even tremors. Rodent killers often contain warfarin, a chemical that can cause internal bleeding.
Dr. Doshi says, “Roach traps, bait things that are chemical free alternative to rid the home of pests rather than chemicals are much safer alternatives.”
Finally, number 7 on our list--wood cleaners..
Dr. Doshi: The chemicals we use to clean wood and strip wood and stain it emit a very strong chemical scent and odor and can be a potent trigger for patients with chronic respiratory conditions.”
These too can lead to headaches, nausea and problems in the central nervous system.
So wear gloves and make sure the room is well ventilated. For wood floors, consider using one cup of vinegar in a pail of hot water for a less toxic alternative.
For Nancy and her daughter Kathy .. precautions like these are a matter of life and death.
