Many "green" cleaning products actually contain just as many harmful chemicals as normal products that can pose a risk to health, a new study has found.
To reach the findings of the new study, which is published in the journal Environmental Science: Processes & Impact, researchers from the University of York in the U.K. analyzed the make up of volatile organic compounds, or VOCs, in regular cleaning products and green cleaning products.
They discovered that these so-called green cleaners actually emitted more monoterpenes than regular cleaners. Monoterpenes are compounds found in essential oils, usually derived from plants. However, these compounds can actually generate harmful pollutants when applied to the home, including formaldehyde and peroxyacyl nitrates—these are the same pollutants generated by vehicles, tobacco smoke, and fossil fuels.
Scientists already knew that some regular cleaning products contained these harmful chemicals. Green cleaning products have become increasingly popular, as they are supposed to be better for not just our health, but the environment.
The pollutants generated by these cleaning products can be very harmful to people in the home, especially to those who are vulnerable. These secondary pollutants can cause eye, nose, throat and skin irritation and even breathing issues.
Formaldehyde can also cause an increased risk of cancer if it is exposed in high amounts.
"Our research found there is no strong evidence to suggest that clean green products are better for indoor air quality compared to regular products," Ellen Harding-Smith, environmental chemistry researcher from the Department of Environment & Geography at the University of York, said in a summary of the findings.
"In fact, there was very little difference. Many consumers are being misled by the marketing of these products, which could be damaging the air quality in their homes as a result—potentially putting their health at risk. For so many products on the supermarket shelves, green doesn't mean clean."
There are many household cleaning products that contain these harmful substances including aerosol spray products, bleach, dish soap, and detergent. These are just some examples.
This most recent study urges the need for more information into the compositional differences between regular products and green produces.
"Manufacturers really need to be so much clearer about what's in these products and make clear how to mitigate their harm," Harding-Smith said. "For example, just improving ventilation and opening windows when using these cleaning products makes air quality at home so much better."
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