Essays

Cleaning Up

There has been a lot of talk recently about global climate change, carbon dioxide emissions, food and water shortages, and what the average citizen can do to help our beleaguered planet. The more I learned about the way things are going, the more determined I became to do my part. But I am a New Yorker: I don’t own a car, I have no control over the heat in my apartment, and I was beginning to feel that there was nothing I could do to make a difference. So I decided to seek out other ways to improve my global impact, and in the process I improved my home environment and my quality of life.

USE BETTER CLEANING PRODUCTS

I had heard that many household cleaning products were “bad for the environment” and I take pride in keeping my apartment clean, so I thought I’d investigate that first. Here are some substances that caused me concern:

Petroleum- or hydrocarbon-based products are common in polishes, solvents, and degreasers. These are sometimes referred to as organic compounds, which can be confusing to people who equate “organic” with “good for the environment”. The obvious reason to avoid them is that petroleum is a non-renewable resource which is produced at great cost both politically and ecologically. Also consider the health effects of using petrochemicals: many are known or suspected carcinogens, most can cause skin and respiratory irritation, and they are extremely dangerous if swallowed. EPA studies have found levels of several common organic pollutants to be 2 to 5 times higher in the air inside homes than outside (and up to 1,000 times higher while these chemicals are in use), which may contribute to a variety of chronic health problems.¹ I’ll admit that many of these petroleum products do a great job, and that you can reduce the health effects by using them with gloves in well-ventilated areas. But in most situations a plant-based solvent will work just as well, without the risks to your family and detriment to the earth.
Alkylphenol ethoxylates, or APEs, are found in detergents and other cleaning products (as well as hair dyes, pesticides, and spermicides). APEs have been shown to mimic certain hormones and disrupt the body’s endocrine system. Prolonged exposure to APEs is believed to cause infertility, developmental abnormalities, and possibly cancer.² They biodegrade slowly and can cause similar damage to wildlife as they linger in the water supply. The APE nonylphenol has even been found in a variety of foods.³
Chlorine bleach, or sodium hypochlorite, is most harmful if swallowed or combined with acids such as ammonia (this produces a gas which can result in burning of mucous membranes).⁴ Chlorine bleach is the most common cause of poisoning in children. It can also cause severe skin damage. If it enters waterways, it can cause death or deformities in aquatic life.⁵ In particular, don’t use bleach to kill mold; it is ineffective as well as dangerous.⁶
Phosphates are banned in most products, in most places, but are still prevalent in automatic dishwasher detergents. Phosphates cause algae in lakes and ponds to grow so copiously that they kill off other organisms.
Optical Brighteners are added to many laundry detergents in order to make clothes appear whiter. They are usually petroleum-based (and very slow to biodegrade), and they are toxic to aquatic life.² Look here for a list of detergents that contain OBs.

It can be difficult to know exactly what is in your cleaning products, as most major manufacturers do not list ingredients. In general, however, if there is a strong warning label (for example, “Fatal if swallowed”), it is probably not something you want to use on a daily basis. Cost-conscious cleaners can make their own non-toxic cleaning products from inexpensive household items; look here for more info. And there are plenty of pre-made products out there that do list ingredients, that are plant-derived, and that do not contain any of the harmful substances above. My favorite brands so far are Method and Seventh Generation. (Yes, they do work!) I noticed immediately that these eco-friendly products were more pleasant to use than my old cleansers: I no longer get rashes if the products come in contact with my skin, and no harsh odors linger in the apartment after I’ve cleaned.

USE BETTER DISPOSABLES

Closing the loop. I hope you already recycle to the greatest extent that is possible in your community (if not, start now!). But it is just as important to create a demand for recycled products through intelligent purchasing. Don’t assume that by now recycled products are the norm; for example, more than 90% of printing and writing paper in the US is virgin paper, even though high-quality recycled papers are available.⁷ Look for a high percentage of post-consumer content, as “recycled” is rather loosely defined. You can find good recycled papers at chain stores like Staples or from specialty companies like Dolphin Blue and Frogfile. Don’t forget bathroom tissue! This is one product that we all use in large quantities that cannot be reused, so it is vital to choose something which causes minimal environmental damage. There are great recycled plastic and aluminum products out there too. Recycled packaging is also important; here is a particularly creative example. Please feel free to email me if you have any to add.

A word about bleaching… You may have heard about the extremely toxic group of chemicals known as dioxins and the efforts being made by companies and consumers to reduce them. Dioxins are formed through various industrial processes involving chlorine, such as the bleaching of wood pulp, the production of PVC plastics, and the incineration of products containing chlorine. (Never burn paper in a campfire or woodstove!) Once created, dioxins remain in the environment for years, accumulating particularly in the fatty tissues of animals. Different dioxins pose different degrees of risk, but the EPA has identified cancer, endocrine disruption, skin conditions and developmental defects as probable results of long-term exposure.⁸ The good news is that Europe and the US have taken steps to dramatically reduce their dioxin emissions. The bad news is that a) high levels of dioxins are still produced in other parts of the world; b) dioxins created years ago are still in our food supply; and c) many environmental groups say that the US regulations for dioxin emissions do not go far enough.

Currently, the largest source of dioxins in the US is waste-burning incinerators, but the public controversy has been over chlorine bleaching of paper products. Instead of bleaching with chlorine gas, mills can institute Totally Chlorine Free (TCF) methods using oxygen, ozone, or hydrogen peroxide, or they can use chlorine dioxide in a process known as Elemental Chlorine Free (ECF). Totally Chlorine Free methods (or Processed Chlorine Free for recycled paper) are more popular in Europe, whereas the US paper industry overwhelmingly uses Elemental Chlorine Free.⁹ Everyone agrees that ECF produces far lower levels of dioxins than traditional chlorine gas, but there is some dispute as to whether the dioxins it does produce are significant. My personal preference is for PCF or TCF, or if possible, unbleached products; I think it will be some time before we know conclusively whether ECF is harmful, and until then it doesn’t hurt to be cautious. In addition to the papers and tissues linked to above (all of which are PCF), you can buy chlorine-free baby diapers and women’s hygiene products.

Of course, the ideal is to use fewer disposable items, and reusing is far better than recycling. I find it rather satisfying to eschew disposable bottles and cups in favor of a well-made reusable product; it feels classier, somehow, and the beverages seem to taste better. And keeping a water bottle or coffee mug at work is much cheaper than using disposables.

USE BETTER POWER

In many areas, you can choose sustainable power companies to supply your electricity. Generally, wind power has the lowest environmental impact, but you also may be able to buy hydropower, solar, or biomass. Look here to find out what’s available in your state. (New York City ConEd customers look here.) In combination with conservation, this can dramatically reduce your “carbon footprint”, and at the same time it supports your local economy.

USE YOUR HEAD

Sometimes the most eco-friendly and affordable way to solve a problem is also the simplest—although not always the most convenient. For example, often the best way to unclog a shower drain is to remove the clog manually. (You can also prevent clogged pipes by using bacterial drain cleaner, which is safe for the environment and for your pipes!) But many people needlessly use expensive, toxic drain cleaners because it takes less effort, or because that is what they’ve always done.

Whenever you are about to buy a product you know is bad for your health and bad for the earth, take a moment to consider alternatives. I realized that many of my habits were completely unnecessary and easy to change. And don’t assume that all eco-friendly products are the same; my experience is that they vary quite a bit, so you may have to try a few different brands of a product before you find one you really like.