Are Green Cleaning Products Really Safer for Your Home?

A recent study published in CHEMOSPHERE has revealed that many common household cleaning products release hundreds of potentially hazardous compounds that can remain in the air for months.

The U.S.-based study examined 30 widely used cleaning products, including both conventional and "green" alternatives, to determine whether any were significantly safer for indoor use.

Researchers sprayed the products inside a controlled chamber and monitored the air for four hours. The results showed that while green cleaning products emitted fewer harmful substances than conventional ones, all products released chemicals that could linger in the environment long after cleaning. "This study serves as a wake-up call for consumers, researchers, and regulators to become more aware of the potential risks associated with the multitude of chemicals entering our air," the study authors stated.

Dr. Marina Tzidkin-Tamir, a senior pharmacologist and infection expert, explained to News 12 that inhaling these substances over long periods can increase the risk of asthma, cancer, and other chronic health conditions. She cautioned against using chemical cleaning products whenever possible. If cleaning products must be used, she recommended sticking to bleach in its various forms, and always using gloves and a mask.

"For the safest approach," Dr. Tzidkin-Tamir added, "cleaning with entirely natural materials, such as baking soda and vinegar, is the best choice to minimize exposure to harmful chemicals."