Chlorine is a very hazardous chemical with negative short and long-term health effects as well as negative environmental impacts. Using chlorine-containing products in your home is dangerous and, now that effective replacements are available, completely unnecessary. Chlorine exposure can cause irritation and nausea, and lead to long-term health effects such as tooth corrosion. It is highly dangerous both in the home and in your water supply.
You can replace chlorine bleach in your home with non-chlorine bleach alternatives, such as oxygen bleach or hydrogen peroxide. Unlike chlorine bleach, powdered oxygen bleach can be used on carpet, upholstery and even the most delicate linens (except for some types of wool and silk) without harming the fabric. Oxygen bleaches really do work and for some stains even do a better job than traditional bleaches or cleaners.
Products in your home that may contain chlorine, and should be replaced with non-chlorine alternatives, include automatic dishwashing detergents, chlorine bleach, chlorinated disinfectant cleaners, mildew removers, and toilet bowl cleaners. Chlorine can also show up on labels as “sodium hypochlorite” or “hypochlorite,” so be careful when you’re checking the labels on your cleaners.
Take Action / Next Steps
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Did you know that exposure to too much chlorine vapor can cause eye, nose, throat and stomach irritation, nausea and
vomiting?
If you can smell chlorine, you are inhaling chlorine vapor, which is
released by the chlorine-containing cleaning products that you use. Why would you want that kind of stuff around your
home?
Did you know that long-term exposure to chlorine can cause
diseases of the lung?
People with previous lung disease, smokers, and those
with breathing problems are more sensitive to chlorine. Chlorine had also been related to childhood asthma.
Did you know that laundry bleaching may produce chloroform, a suspected
human carcinogen?
The Local Hazardous Waste Management Program in King
County, Washington, issued a warning statement about using laundry bleach, since it is suspected of causing cancer.
Did you know that chlorine bleach is not effective in mold remediation?
According to Spore Tech Mold Investigation, LLC, bleaching will not take care of a mold problem.
Plus, it is only meant to be used on nonporous surfaces, such as bathroom tile or countertop, never on
wood.
