Expert advice on the safe use of chemical cleaners

Frequently using household cleaning chemicals can cause asthma attacks and breathing difficulties. But knowing which chemicals to avoid in commercial cleaning products is difficult. Here's some expert advice on the safe use of chemical cleaners.

Labels on cleaners often don't have detailed ingredients lists, and most just contain scientific names of chemicals.

Before selecting a chemical cleaner try to find out what the ingredients are likely to be.

If you want to know what's in a cleaner or detergent you use regularly, and it's not on the label, you will need to contact the manufacturer.

• Use the caller information number on the product label (usually a toll-free number) to enquire about ingredients, or ask for a Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS), which will identify any dangerous ingredients. Most companies will oblige – if the maker of the product in question doesn't, it may be wise to select an alternative product.
• A number of personal care and cleaning products contain a class of surfactants (dirt removers) called alkylphenol ethoxylates.
• Two of these (nonylphenol and octylphenol) are hormone disruptors, which mimic the hormone estrogen, and can affect the reproductive systems of fish, birds and mammals. In addition, these chemicals biodegrade slowly.
• The antibacterial agent triclosan is found in some dishwashing liquids, antimicrobial soaps and dishcloths.
• Triclosan has been found to react with chlorine in water to form chloroform, is closely related to dioxin and is not readily biodegradable.
• Volatile organic compounds (VOCs), including toluene and trichlorethylene, are found in some spot removers and floor waxes and polishes.
• Some VOCs are linked to cancer, and others, such as formaldehyde (formalin), an ingredient in some laundry detergents, can cause health problems such as nausea, wheezing and skin rashes.
• Quaternary ammonium compounds, such as benzalkonium chloride, cetrimonium bromide, quaternium-15 and quaternium 1-29, are used in many cleaning products as germicides, preservatives and surfactants.
• These ammonium compounds can cause irritation to the eyes as well as a variety of allergic symptoms.

If you choose to use chemical cleaners, take these precautionary steps to minimize health risks.

• Open windows so fresh air can dissipate fumes and pollutants.
• Wear rubber gloves and long-sleeved clothing.
• For heavy-duty jobs, wear a mask and goggles.
• Do not mix cleaners. If you were to mix them, you'd run the risk creating a more toxic substance.
• Use rub-on cleaners rather than sprays to avoid inhaling.
• Rinse cleaned surfaces well to remove chemical residues.
• Avoid using chemical cleansers in cooking and eating areas.
• Don't mix chemical cleaners with very hot water as this may promote the escape of volatile chemicals into the atmosphere.
• Do not use strong chemical cleaners near children. They can be adversely affected, even if they're exposed to only small quantities.

When you're working with chemical cleaners, keep these safety tips in mind. And, when you're buying chemical cleaners be sure to remember the information about the dangers of cleaners' common chemicals.