By Lara Kimbrell of The SNSPost

It’s that time of year when school children are confined to classrooms where germs spread and colds multiply faster than a fourth grade math whiz. This topic hits close to home for me because every time my little math whiz comes home sniffly, the rest of the family is usually not far behind him. Having spent years in the classroom, I remember taking special care to wipe down desks and doors during the winter months. As we learn about the dangers of ordinary cleaning supplies, a difficult question arises. Is the solution worse than the problem?

Ordinary school cleaning supplies can expose children and staff to multiple chemicals linked to asthma, cancer, and other documented health problems and to hundreds of other air contaminants that have never been tested for safety, a study by the Environmental Working Group shows. Laboratory tests done for EWG found that a typical assortment of cleaning products released 457 distinct chemicals into the air.

EWG’s findings come at a time when childhood asthma and many childhood cancers are on the rise and teachers have a cancer rate 52% higher than the average population.

Lax labeling requirements mean that consumers often don’t know what they’re purchasing. Many would be alarmed to learn that when used as directed, Comet Disinfectant Powder Cleanser, a product commonly used in both schools and private homes, released more than 100 air contaminants, including chloroform, benzene, and formaldehyde. In 2011, the National Toxicology Program, an interagency program of the Department of Health and Human Services, named formaldehyde as a known human carcinogen in its 12th Report on Carcinogens.

In response to these concerns, many schools have turned to safer cleaning supplies that have been independently certified to meet protective health and safety standards. Eight states have passed legislation requiring or encouraging use of these green cleaning products in schools. Many other forward-thinking school districts have adopted green cleaning policies, replacing toxic products with safer, effective alternatives with no increase in costs.

You can see the test results for many cleaners found in use in schools and homes. Products such as Febreeze Air Effects, Comet powder cleanser, Pine Sol cleaner, and Simple Green concentrated cleaner release not only unlisted air contaminates but cancer-causing ingredients as well.

For many of us, the term “green” implies safe for not only the planet but it’s inhabitants as well. Sadly this is not true. Consumers must look carefully at the green products they buy. An easy way to do this is to check the warning label. Companies are compelled to warn consumers of dangers associated with using their products to protect themselves from litigation. Why would you need to contact poison control if your “green” cleaner was safe? There are green products out there that are safe and highly effective, but they are far outnumbered by poor impostors. Buyer beware!

Do you use green cleaning products in your home? Do you know what products your child’s school uses?

Lara Kimbrell, AKA GreenTXmom & Physicschick, is a wife & mother to three precious little boys. Her family is her whole world & inspire her in so many ways. Alsoa regular contributor to The SNSPost & a published childrens author, she’s a physicist w/ a degree from Texas A&M & taught H.S. physics for years.  She became interested in environmental health due to her oldest son’s asthma & inspired by her curious children she writes to engage all children in the amazing world of physical sciences.

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