This chart lists the most common toxic chemicals you definitely don’t want in your home!
| Chemical | Found In | Health Effects |
| Antibacterials | Cleaning products; personal care products including toothpaste, hand sanitizers, mouthwash, and more | Antibacterial products contribute to the rise of resistant bacteria. Triclosan, the most common antibacterial agent is actually classified as a pesticide…when exposed to sunlight and chlorinated water, it can convert to dioxin, a known carcinogen. |
| Artificial Fragrance | Any cleaning product or personal care product that lists “fragrance” or “parfum” as an ingredient | Most fragrances contain phthalates, a group of chemicals thought to be a reproductive toxin.Note: consumers can never know exactly what’s in synthetic fragrances because they’re often considered proprietary information or “trade secrets.” |
| Phosphate | Almost all automatic dishwashing detergents and some all-purpose cleaners | Considered a higher risk to the environment than to human health; phosphates pollute waterways and kill off fish and vegetation |
| Sodium Hydroxide | Drain, metal and oven cleaners; known also as lye, caustic soda, white caustic and soda lye | Severe damage to eyes, skin, and mucous membranes as well as the digestive system. |
| APEs (alkylphenol ethoxylates) | A surfactant commonly used in household products including laundry detergents, disinfectants, all-purpose cleaners and hard surface cleaners | Suspected long-term endocrine disruptors; linked to the stimulation of breast cancer cell growth; negative eco effects include reducing reproduction and survival rates of salmon and other types of fish |
| DEA (diethanolamines) and TEA (triethanolamines | Surfactants found in all-purpose cleaners, hand dishwashing liquids, detergents, stain removers, and personal care products | Carcinogenic; skin, yey and respiratory irritants; slow to biodegrade in the environment. |
| Sodium Lauryl/Laureth Sulfate (SLS and SLFS) | A surfactant found in any type of product that produces lather; especially prevalent in personal care products. | Can cause severe skin and eye irritation and have been linked to abnormal eye development in children; lethal to fish at low levels of exposure. |
| Butyl Cellosolve (others like it include ethyl cellosolve, ethylene glycol, petroleum distillates, petroleum hydrocarbons, hexane, toluene, benzene, xylene, and perchloroethylene (PERC) | Synthetic solvent found in all-purpose, glass, and abrasive cleaners. It’s also found in auto products, floor polish, inks, leather goods, paint thinners, pesticides and home furnishings. | Known neurotoxin; suspected blood, kidney and liver toxin; endocrine disruptor; immediate toxic effects include eye, nose, throat and lung-tissue irritation. |