Alphabetic Toxic Chemicals

The following is an alphabetical list of some of the toxic chemicals used in common household cleaners that will point you to genuinely toxic cleaning products:

Alkyl dimethyl benzyl ammonium chloride Vapors are irritating to the eyes Corrosive to the skin Skin sensitizer Limited biodegradability Toxic to aquatic life

Butylcellosolve Mild skin and eye irritant Damages the blood's ability to make blood Damages central nervous syste, kidneys, liver Used in a wide range of house-cleaning products including all-purpose cleaners and some window cleaners

Butoxyethanol Irritant to eyes, noes, mouth and throat Volatile organic compounds - polluting to indoor air Long term exposure may damage liver and kidney

C 12-15 pareth ethylbenzene sulfonate Limited biodegradability Toxic to aquatic life

Dimethyl benzyl ammonium chloride Irritating to eyes, skin, and lungs May be fatal if ingested Used in some bathroom cleaners and deodorizers

DMDM hydantoin Irritating to eyes and lungs Considered an allergen Forms and releases formaldehyde

Haptane Flammable Neurotoxic Used in some shower products

Hydrochloric Acid Corrosive Severe eye skin and mucous membrane irritant Highly toxic if inhaled Used in some Toilet Bowl Cleaners and deodorizers

Lauramidoproplyamine oxide Toxic to aquatic life

Linear Surfactant Irritating to skin and eyes Biodegradable Toxic to aquatic life

Methylene Chloride Human carcinogen Can cause heart irregularities when inhaled Neurotoxic Used in some paint strippers and spray cans

Methylisothiazolinone Corrosive to skin Skin sensitizer Toxic to aquatic life Persists long-term in the environment

Naphthalene Human carcinogen Can cause eye damage Reproductive toxin - able to cross the placenta and cause blood damage Used in some car waxes and moth repellents Nonyl phenols Known endocrine disruptor Toxic to aquatic life Used in some air fresheners

Paradichlorobenzene Suspected carcinogen

Phenoxyethanol Causes kidney, liver and nervous system toxicity Severe skin and eye irritant

Phosphoric Acid Severe eye, skin and respiratory irritant Corrosive Used in some bathroom cleaning products, especially those that remove mold and mildew

Pine Oil Allergen Large doses may cause central nerous system depression Found in a large range of cleaning products

Potassium hydrate Severe lung irritant Corrosive to eyes and skin Suspected carcinogen Sometimes used in automatic dishwasher compounds and hard surface cleaners

Sodium bisulfite Skin and eye irritant Biodegradable, but products of degradation are toxic to the environment and human health Commonly used in detergents, dish soap, and personal care products

Sodium hypochlorite hypochlorous-acid Severe skin, eye and lung irritant Corrosive to lungs Suspected carcinogen Labeled as chlorine bleach

Sodium orthophosphate Irritating to skin and eyes Damaging to the environment

Sodium percarbonate Irritating to eyes and skin at high concentrations Toxic to aquatic life A type of oxygen bleach

Sodium Silicate Irritating to eyes or skin Harmful if swallowed or inhaled Suspected carcinogen when inhaled repeatedly Harmful to aquatic life Commonly used in automatic dishwasher detergents

Toluene A known reproductive toxin, may cause harm to a child in the womb

Triclosan Irritating to eyes and skin Known to pass through breast milk Moderate build-up in living organisms Persists in the environment Very toxic to aquatic life Very common in sanitizers, disinfectants and dish liquids

Triethanolamine (TEA) Eye and skin irritant Reactes with nitrates (often present as undisclosed preservatives) to form carcinogenic Nitrosamines Used in some all-purpose cleaners, spot removers and other assorted household cleaning products

Trisodium nitrilotriacetate Suspected carcinogen Interferes with water purification processes so that metals are released back into the ground water

Zylene Neurotoxin Suspected reproductive toxin

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