M2.3 Blog: Household Cleaning Products
I looked up Pledge Lemon Clean Furniture Spray and Tilex
Mold and Mildew Remover in the National Library of
Medicine's Household Products Database: http://householdproducts.nlm.nih.gov/
(Links to an external site.)Links to an external site. I like these products because they meet my expectations
and create that “clean smell” I like. But I was quite surprised of the Tilex
product’s hazard rating.
The Tilex Mold and Mildew Removal Pump is
considered hazardous by the 2012 OSHA Hazard Communication Standard with level
2 (moderate) severity for acute exposures. It causes mild skin irritation and
serious eye irritation. Exposure to high concentrations of its vapor and mist
may aggravate heart conditions or chronic breathing problems such as asthma or emphysema. On the other hand, the Pledge Furniture Spray
has no known carcinogenicity and chronic and acute health effects, except for
mild eye irritation.
When I clean, I clean areas
(toilet, mirror, floor, and sink) at the same time. The Database indicates that
this Tilex reacts with other household chemicals such as products containing
ammonia, toilet bowl cleaners, rust removers, vinegar, or acids to produce
hazardous gases, such as chlorine and other chlorinated compounds. These facts really surprised me! I thought the
stronger the “clean smell” the cleaner and disinfected my bathroom is. It maybe,
but the health risk is much more far concerning. It is also has Sodium
hypochlorite, a Group 3 Carcinogen.
My mom is a clean freak
and cleans the house and bathroom almost everyday using the Tilex Mold and Mildew
Spray. Not sure if she opens the windows to neutralize the vapor. I guess NOT. I
will definitely (and soon) warn her to stop using this product and replace it
with non-hazard cleaning products. Since the Pledge Furniture Spray has no
report of health hazard, except as a mild eye irritant, I think it is safe to
use this for now while using eye protectors.
