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Glossary A | B | C | D | E | F | G | HIJ | K | L | M | N | O | P | QR | S | TUV | WXYZA Alkanol amines (also monoethanolamine, diethanolamine, triethanolamine) A class of synthetic solvents that are precursors to the carcinogen diethanolnitrosamine. Alkyl aryl sodium sulfonates (See Alkyl benzene sulfonates [ABS]) Alkyl benzene sulfonates or ABS (also linear alkyl benzene sulfonates or LAS, linear alkyl sodium sulfonates) A class of synthetic surfactants (see Surfactants below for more information). ABS are very slow to biodegrade and seldom used. LAS, however, are the most common surfactants in use. During the manufacturing process, carcinogens and reproductive toxins such as benzene are released into the environment. While LAS do biodegrade, they do so slowly and are of low to moderate toxicity. LAS are synthetic. The pure compounds may cause skin irritation on prolonged contact, just like soap. Allergic reactions are rare. Because oleo-based alternatives are available, LAS should not be used. Found in: Conventional laundry detergents (usually identified as "anionic surfactants"). Alkyl benzyl sulfonates (See Alkyl benzene sulfonates [ABS]) Alkyl phenoxy polyethoxy ethanols (also nonyl phenoxy ethoxylate or nonyl phenol ethoxylate) This is a general name for a group of synthetic surfactants (see Surfactants below for more information). They are slow to biodegrade in the environment and have been implicated in chronic health problems. Researchers in England have found that in trace amounts they activate estrogen receptors in cells, which in turn alters the activity of certain genes. For example, in experiments they have been found to stimulate the growth of breast cancer cells and feminize male fish. One member of this family of chemicals is used as a common spermicide, indicating the general level of high biological toxicity associated with these compounds. Found in: Conventional laundry detergents, all-purpose cleaners, hard surface cleaners. Ammonia Ammonia is an irritant that affects the skin, eyes and respiratory passages. The symptoms of ammonia exposure are: a burning sensation in the eyes, nose and throat; pain in the lungs; headache; nausea; coughing; and increased breathing rate. Ammonia adds nitrogen to the environment. In areas that cannot handle the added nitrogen, disruptions to the ecosystem will result. These include toxic effects to plants, fish and animals. Ammonia is included as a toxic chemical on the EPA's Community Right-to-Know list and the EPA has set limits on permissible levels in bodies of water. The FDA also regulates the amount of ammonium compounds in food. OSHA regulates the maximum allowable levels in the air to protect workers. Found in: Conventional window cleaners. Amyl acetate A synthetic grease cutter, amyl acetate is a neurotoxin implicated in central nervous system depression. Found in: Conventional furniture polishes. Anionic surfactants (See alkyl benzene sulfonates) Aromatic hydrocarbons A class of synthetic compounds used as solvents and grease cutters, these are members of the carcinogenic benzene family of chemicals. Though not all are carcinogenic, aromatic hydrocarbons should nonetheless be considered hazardous. Aromatic hydrocarbons also contaminate air and groundwater. (They cannot easily evaporate underground and little biological activity exists there to cause them to biodegrade.) Found in: Conventional heavy-duty degreasers, deodorizers. Artificial fragrances Artificial fragrances can be made from petroleum. Many do not degrade in the environment, and may have toxic effects on both fish and mammals. Additionally, they often can cause allergies and skin or eye irritation. Artificial colors Artificial colors can be made from petroleum, though some are made from coal. Many do not degrade in the environment and also have toxic effects on both fish and mammals. They do not serve any useful purpose. Additionally, they often can cause allergies and skin or eye irritation. B Benzalkonium chloride A synthetic disinfectant and bactericide, this chemical is biologically active (meaning it can negatively affect living organisms). The widespread indiscriminate use of bactericides is also now causing the emergence of new strains of bacteria that are resistant to them. Benzalkonium chloride, and other synthetic disinfectants, should be avoided for these reasons. Found in: Conventional spray disinfectants, disinfecting cleaners, disinfecting hand soaps and lotions. Benzene (also benzol, benzole, annulene, benzeen, phenyl hydride, coal naphtha). Made from petroleum and coal, benzene is classified by the International Agency for Research on Cancer as a carcinogen, is listed in the 1990 Clean Air Act as a hazardous air pollutant, and is on the EPA's Community Right-to-Know list. Found in: Conventional oven cleaners, detergents, furniture polish, spot removers. Butoxyethanol (see butyl cellosolve ) Butyl cellosolve (also butoxyethanol, butyl oxitol, ethylene glycol monobutyl ether). A toxic synthetic solvent and grease cutter that can irritate mucous membranes and cause liver and kidney damage. Butyl cellosolve is also a neurotoxin that can depress the nervous system and cause a variety of associated problems. Found in: Conventional spray cleaners, all-purpose cleaners, abrasive cleaners. Butyl oxitol (see butyl cellosolve) C Caustic soda (see sodium hydroxide) Chlorophene (See O-benzyl-p-chlorophenol ) Crystalline silica Crystalline silica is carcinogenic and acts as an eye, skin and lung irritant. Found in: Conventional all-purpose cleaners. D Diammonium EDTA (See EDTA) Diethanolamines (also diethanolamine, triethanolamine and monoethanolamine) A synthetic family of surfactants, this group of compounds is used to neutralize acids in products to make them non-irritating. Diethanolamine is slow to biodegrade and reacts with natural nitrogen oxides and sodium nitrite pollutants in the atmosphere to form diethanolnitrosamine, a suspected carcinogen. Found in: Conventional personal care products and some detergents. Dioxane (also diethylene dioxide, diethylene ether, diethylene oxide) (not to be confused with DIOXIN) Dioxane is a solvent classified by the EPA as a probable human carcinogen, and some research suggests that it may suppress the immune system. Dioxane is listed in the 1990 Clean Air Act as a hazardous air pollutant and is on the EPA's Community Right-to-Know list. Found in: Conventional window cleaners and is an impurity in some ethoxylated surfactants. Diethylene dioxide (see Dioxane) E EDTA (ethylene-diamino-tetra-acetate) A class of synthetic, phosphate-alternative compounds used to reduce calcium and magnesium hardness in water. EDTA is also used to prevent bleaching agents from becoming active before they're immersed in water and as a foaming stabilizer. EDTA does not readily biodegrade and once introduced into the general environment can re-dissolve toxic heavy metals trapped in underwater sediments, allowing them to re-enter and re-circulate in the food chain. Found in: Conventional laundry detergents. Ethyl cellosolve This synthetic solvent is both a nasal irritant and a neurotoxin (see Solvents). Found in: Conventional all-purpose cleaners, window cleaners. Ethylene glycol (also ethylene dihydrate, ethylene alcohol) This synthetic solvent is highly toxic and is both a nasal irritant and a neurotoxin (see Solvents). Its vapors contribute to the formation of urban ozone pollution. Ethylene glycol is listed in the 1990 Clean Air Act as a hazardous air pollutant and is on the EPA's Community Right-to-Know list. Found in: Conventional all-purpose cleaners Ethylene glycol monobutylether (see butyl cellosolve) Fatty acid alkanol amides/amines These surfactants are made by reacting an ethanolamine with a fatty acid obtained from either synthetic petroleum sources or natural vegetable oils. (Most fatty acids are produced synthetically as this method is currently less expensive.) Fatty acid alkanol amides can react with materials in the environment to form nitrosamines (see diethanolamines above). Found in: Conventional shampoos and conditioners, liquid cleansers, and polishes. F Fatty acid diethanolamines (See cocamide DEA) Formaldehyde Although not common as a primary ingredient, formaldehyde is present as a contaminant in many consumer household products. It is an extremely potent carcinogen and respiratory irritant and may appear as a preservative. Products containing this chemical should be considered unacceptable. Found in: Conventional deodorizers, disinfectants, germicides, adhesives, permanent press fabrics, particleboard. G Germicides A broad category of usually synthetic bactericides. While some germicidal ingredients are natural (tea tree oil, borax), it is safe to assume that any germicide ingredient has a synthetic source until proven otherwise. For more information, see benzalkonium chloride above. Found in: Conventional spray disinfectants, disinfecting cleaners, disinfecting hand soaps and lotions. Glycol ethers (See butyl cellosolve and ethyl cellosolve) HIJ Hydrochloric acid (also muriatic acid) A strong mineral or "inorganic" acid. In high concentrations, it is extremely corrosive. Found in: Conventional toilet bowl cleaners. Hypochlorite (See chlorine) Hydrogen chloride (See hydrochloric acid) K Kerosene (also mineral spirits) A synthetic distillate used as a grease cutter, kerosene can damage lung tissues and dissolve the fatty tissue that surrounds nerve cells. Mineral spirits function similarly and often contain the carcinogen benzene as an impurity. Found in: Conventional all-purpose cleaners and abrasives (use of kerosene in these product categories is rare), furniture polishes, degreaser. L Linear alkyl benzene sulfonates (See alkyl benzene sulfonates) Linear alkyl sulfonates (See alkyl benzene sulfonates) M Methanol (also methyl alcohol) A solvent derived from wood, natural gas, or petroleum, methanol is acutely toxic and can cause blindness. Found in: Conventional glass cleaners. Methyl alcohol (See methanol above) Mineral acids (See hydrochloric acid or phosphoric acid. Also sulfuric acid) Mineral spirits (See kerosene) Monoethanolamine (See diethanolamine) Morpholine A highly toxic synthetic that can cause liver and kidney damage. While this ingredient is rare in consumer products, its extreme toxicity warrants its inclusion on this list. Found in: Conventional all-purpose cleaners and abrasives, waxes, polishes, antiseptic products. Muriatic acid (See hydrochloric acid) N Naphthas (See petroleum distillates) Naphthalene A member of the carcinogenic benzene family derived from coal tar or made synthetically. Known to bioaccumulate in marine organisms, naphthalene causes allergic skin reactions and cataracts, alters kidney function and is extremely toxic to children. Found in: Conventional deodorizers, carpet cleaners, toilet deodorizers. Nitrilotriacetic acid (See NTA) Nonyl-phenol (See alkyl phenoxy polyethoxy ethanols) Nonyl phenoxy ethoxylate (See alkyl phenoxy polyethoxy ethanols) NTA (Nitrilotriacetic acid) This carcinogenic phosphate substitute is banned in the U.S. As with EDTA, it can free heavy metals in the environment and reintroduce them into the food chain. NTA is slow to biodegrade. Found in: No U.S. manufactured products. However, imported products, especially laundry detergents, should be scrutinized to ensure that no NTA has escaped regulatory attention. O O-benzyl-p-chlorophenol (also 4-chloro-a-phenyl o-cresol, chlorophene) A synthetic disinfectant used in hand soaps, this is chlorinated hydrocarbon and is therefore unacceptable. Bacterial resistance hazards associated with the indiscriminate use of disinfectants (see benzalkonium chloride above for more information) can also occur with use. Found in: Conventional hand soaps. Optical brighteners Optical brighteners are a broad classification of many different synthetic chemicals that, when applied to clothing, convert UV light wavelengths to visible light, thus making laundered clothes appear "whiter." Their inclusion in any formula does not enhance or affect the product's performance in any way; they simply trick the eye. Optical brighteners do not readily biodegrade. They are toxic to fish when washed into the general environment and can create bacterial mutations. They can cause allergic reaction when in contact with skin that is then exposed to sunlight. Most optical brighteners are given trade names which consumers are unlikely to see on a label. Found in: Conventional daundry detergents. Organic solvents A category of solvents and grease-cutters of mostly synthetic origin (organic in this instance refers to their petroleum origins). All chemicals in this category are generally neurotoxins and nervous system depressants, especially if contacted in sufficient quantity. Found in: Conventional all-purpose cleaners, degreasers and metal polishes. P p-Dichlorobenzene (See Paradichlorobenzene) Paradichlorobenzene (also p-Dichlorobenzene, PDCB) A chlorinated synthetic of extreme chronic toxicity and environmental concern. Paradichlorobenzene is an endocrine disrupter and carcinogen. It does not readily biodegrade. Found in: Mothballs and deodorizers. PDCB (See Paradichlorobenzene) Perchloroethylene (also "Perc") A chlorinated solvent used most commonly in the dry cleaning process, "perc" is implicated in 90% of all groundwater contamination. Found in: Conventional degreasers, spot removers, dry cleaning fluids. Petroleum-based waxes A broad category of synthetic waxes. Although they may appear in products like Butcher's wax, typically these are used for polishing or waxing in conjunction with a solvent and a spray. Once sprayed, the solvent evaporates (creating air toxins) and leaves the wax behind as a residue. Additionally, spraying is an inefficient way to apply a product and ingredients that rely on it for dispersal are suspect. Found in: Conventional furniture polishes and floor waxes. Petroleum distillates (also naphthas) A broad category encompassing almost every type of chemical obtained directly from the petroleum refining process. Any ingredient listed as a "petroleum distillate" or "naphtha" should be suspect as it is, firstly a synthetic and, secondly, likely to cause one or more detrimental health or environmental effect. Phosphates A key nutrient in ecosystems, phosphates are natural minerals important to the maintenance of all life. Their role in laundry detergents is to remove hard water minerals and thus increase the effectiveness of the detergents themselves. They are also a deflocculating agent; that is, they prevent dirt from settling back onto clothes during washing. While relatively non-irritating and non-toxic in the environment, they nonetheless contribute to significant eutrophication of waterways and create unbalanced ecosystems by fostering dangerously explosive marine plant growth. For these reasons they are banned or restricted in many states. Products containing phosphates should be considered unacceptable. Almost all conventional dishwasher detergents contain phosphates. Found in: Conventional laundry detergents, all-purpose cleaners, dishwasher detergents. Phosphoric acid (also mataphosphoric acid, orthophosphoric acid) Phosphoric acid is included as a toxic chemical on the EPA's Community Right-to-Know list. It is also controlled under the Clean Air Act as an air pollutant. OSHA regulates the maximum allowable levels in the workplace to protect workers. Found in: Conventional bathroom cleaners. Polycarboxylates Similar in chemical structure to certain plastics and acrylic compounds, these are relatively new, synthetic phosphate substitutes. Because they are recent additions to the consumer product chemical arsenal, however, their effects on human and environmental health remain largely unknown. Though tests show they are non-toxic, do not interfere with treatment plant operation and generally settle out with the sludge during water treatment, until further study and analysis are conducted, use of this ingredient is not recommended. Further, they are not biodegradable and are petroleum based. Found in: Conventional laundry detergents, all-purpose cleaners and dishwasher detergents. Polyethylene glycol (also PEG) Another type of anti-redeposition agent, PEG is a polymer made from ethylene oxide and is similar to some non-ionic detergents. Not considered toxic, it takes large doses to be lethal in animals. However, PEG is slow to degrade and is synthetic. QR Quaternium 15 An alkyl ammonium chloride used as a surfactant, disinfectant and deodorant that releases formaldehyde, a potent toxin. Found in: Conventional detergents, deodorizers, disinfectants. S Soda lye (See sodium hydroxide) Sodium dichloroisocyanurate (See chlorine) Sodium hydroxide (also lye, caustic soda, white caustic, soda lye) Sodium hydroxide is derived from the electrolysis of brine sea water as a co-product of chlorine. It is a strong, caustic substance and causes severe corrosive damage to eyes, skin and mucous membranes, as well as the mouth, throat, esophagus and stomach. Injury can be immediate. Blindness is reported in animals exposed to as little as 2% dilution for just one minute. Skin is typically damaged by 0.12% dilutions for a period of one hour. Tests with healthy volunteers exposed to the chemical in spray from oven cleaners showed that respiratory tract irritation developed in 2 to 15 minutes. Sodium hydroxide is included as a toxic chemical on the EPA's Community Right-to-Know list. It is also a controlled substance in the workplace, and OSHA has set limitations on concentrations in the air. Found in: Conventional oven cleaners, drain cleaners Sodium hypochlorite (See chlorine) Stoddard solvent A petroleum distillate used as a solvent and degreaser. (See kerosene) Found in: Conventional all-purpose cleaners and abrasives. Surfactants A general term for Surface Active Agents. It is the term used to describe the active cleaning agents in a product. Conventional products use synthetic surfactants often derived from petroleum. Found in: Conventional laundry products, all-purpose cleaners, dish detergent and dish liquids, and other common cleaning products. etrapotassium pyrophosphate/Tetrasodium pyrophosphate Basic phosphates (tetrasodium being the more common of the two) used to reduce water hardness. (See phosphates above) Found in: Conventional laundry detergents, all-purpose cleaners. TUV Trichloroethane (also methyltrichloromethane, TCA, methyl chloroform, chloroethane) A chlorinated solvent used for cleaning and degreasing, it is known to contribute to depletion of stratospheric ozone and will be phased out by the end of 2002. Trichloroethane is listed in the 1990 Clean Air Act as a hazardous air pollutant and is on the EPA's Community Right-to-Know list. Triethanolamine (See diethanolamine) WXYZ Xylene sulfonate Xylene is a synthetic that, when reacted with sulfuric acid, creates a surfactant. Slow to biodegrade in the environment and moderately toxic. Found in: Conventional laundry products, all-purpose cleaners, dish detergent.
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