Fabric softener, glass cleaner, descaler… Household products are used daily. However, some cleaning products are “potentially” harmful to health, according to the magazine 60 million consumers. The monthly pointed to the toxicity of disinfectant sprays and wipes.
- A third of household products contain “a significant amount of potentially harmful substances.”
- 39 out of 119 products received a D or an E and were not recommended due to “problem substances.”
- Disinfectant sprays and wipes are among the worst rated products.
In 2019, the magazine 60 million consumers warned against the use of certain cleaning products that harm our health and the environment due to their harmful substances. On December 9, the monthly revealed, in a special issue, that a third of household products used on a daily basis contained “a significant amount of potentially harmful substances.”
Glass cleaners are top rated
The magazine’s team analyzed the composition of 119 cleaning products from 52 brands purchased in April and July 2021. It relied on labels, ingredient lists and safety data sheets, which specify the concentration of substances, to assess the toxicity of household products.
The authors of the article then assigned each product a “Ménag’Score”, developed by the National Consumer Institute (INC) on the model of the “Nutri-Score” in food, to assess the chemical risk of cleaning products for the environment and for health. This labeling system “Rates products from A, for the most virtuous, to E for those presenting the most risk.”
The monthly team indicated that half of the products examined obtained an A or B grade. This is the case for raw products, such as baking soda or vinegar. Among the manufactured products, window cleaners and degreasing sprays are the highest ranked.
Sprays and wipes are the most harmful to health
According to the magazine, 39 out of 119 products received a D or an E. In other words, they are considered products “use sparingly for specific needs” Where “strongly discouraged” because they contain “irritating, allergenic and very harmful substances for health (such as endocrine disruptors, carcinogenic compounds, toxic) and for the environment.”
In the list of the most poorly rated products, we find disinfectant wipes for toilets and multi-surface cleaners, also called “disinfectant sprays”. The authors of the article judged that these products contained problematic substances for both health and the environment. Wipes and sprays are closely followed by toilet gels and air fresheners.
“These products will not necessarily pose a problem for everyone, people with allergies, for example, will be more sensitive to them.. But manufacturers still have work to do”told theAFP Sophie Coisne, editor-in-chief of this special issue magazine.
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