Cleaning, in essence, a much-needed regular part of our lives.
It helps us in maintaining and managing the aesthetic beauty of our house. And, by doing so, we can also get rid of harmful bacteria and all efficiently, whilst being smart about it by using safe cleaning products.
But, did you know that it can affect their health as well?
Usually, the hazardous elements available in a cleaning product can enter your body in more than one way, including the following –
- Inhaling the fumes inside of your lungs while breathing.
- Absorbing chemicals through the skin, especially your hands.
Both of them can happen when you’re cleaning and affect your body massively.
How Does Cleaning Products Affect Your Health?
A chemical-based cleaning product can affect you both directly and indirectly. In this section, we have elaborated both of them. So, do check it out and tell us what you think.
Problem – 1: Eye Injury
Sometimes, while working, the cleaning solution might get into your eyes mistakenly. In this case, it can cause burning pain to the affected person. In extreme cases, such an issue can lead to partial or complete vision loss in the damaged eye as well.
Problem – 2: Skin Irritation
If the cleaning product contains any type of solvent or fireglass, it can cause skin irritation as well. If you use the same on a regular basis, it might lead to rashes and other issues too. Also, the chemicals can increase your risk of getting contracted with skin cancer.
Problem – 3: Poisoning
If you end up consuming the solvent or cleaning product somehow, it can cause poisoning as well. This is something that’s more common amongst children. Here are some symptoms that you may see when such an issue occurs –
- Diarrhea,
- Vomiting, and
- A burning sensation in your chest.
Problem – 4: Breathing Ailment
As stated before, you can end up inhaling the fumes of a product while working. And, it, in turn, might affect your lungs and how it generally works. So, as a result, you might experience shortness of breath and consistent coughing. Apart from that, if you have asthma, it might make the issues even more prominent than before. Getting exposed to the same chemical constantly can also increase your risk of lung cancer. So, it’s better to check the ingredient list of a product before buying it.
Problem – 5: Reproductive Issue
As per studies, people working in the cleaning product manufacturing industry tend to have a high risk of birth defects. Amongst the issues, the most prominent one is down syndrome. In some cases, the issue of cleft palates can emerge as a defect in the children as well.
Considerations To Make When Buying A Cleaning Product
When it comes to purchasing a cleaning product for various benefits, you can get into the market blindly. In case you want to keep your family safe, you must avoid a few things. Here’s what you need to know about them.
Must-Avoid: Antimicrobial Chemicals
Although they’ve the inherent capability of killing microbes, they can also affect the stomach organ eminently. In some cases, it can also lead to stomach cancer if you’re consuming them daily. So, be as much careful as you can while working.
Must-Avoid: Acutely-Corrosive Elements
Almost every oven- or drain-cleaner comes with at least one acutely-corrosive element, such as – ammonia, chlorine bleach, and sodium hydroxide. Hence, these products usually feature a “warning” or “danger” sign on the packaging. So, try to avoid them as much as you can.
Must-Avoid: Fragrance
Almost every chemical that comes with some sort of fragrance is synthetic. Hence, if you get it into your eyes, it might cause burning pain and temporary partial vision loss. Besides, it can also lead to an increased risk of hormonal imbalance, breast cancer, and migraines.
The Final Say!
Honestly, if you have a little bit of money to spare, we’d ask you to go for an organic product over anything else. This way, there won’t be any need to take any precaution at all. However, we’ll still ask you to wear something protective while working. Just try your best to protect your eyes and hands by wearing goggles and gloves. Hopefully, that’ll be enough to take care of yourself!
