When we use cleaners in our houses and offices we rarely give a thought to the products we are actually using. We simply want a clean, hygienic space in which to live and work. The products we use, however, are having a long-term impact on the environment that many people are largely unaware of.
Chemical cleaners are designed to kill germs and organisms, that's how they get rid of the grease, grime and smells. The trouble is that a proportion of the chemicals is rinsed away down drains and plugs, and whilst the amounts may seem trivial to individuals, the accumulated waste coming out of the drainage systems of towns and cities presents a significant and long-term hazard. The waste finds its way in to rivers, lakes and in to the water table, where it affects the plants and animal life it comes in to contact with.
There are several chemicals used in cleaners that are creating this ill effect, notably Ammonia and 2-butoxyethanol (EGBE), whose effects include:
Excessive ammonia causes the rate at which the cells in plants progress to accelerate. This means that plants grow and decay more quickly than they should, resulting in unnatural growth phases. The plants that can cope best with this are weeds, which then supplant other types and dominate the area. In farming areas this can have a devastating effect on crops, and in wild areas throw the eco-system out of balance as animals and insects that rely on the plants are also displaced.
Too much ammonia creates very acidic soil, which is poisonous to many plant species and also results in the collapse of local eco-systems.
Affects animal life as the chemicals have been shown to be endocrine disruptors. Simply put, the endocrine system carries important fluids around a body, and when it fails to work properly the body does not develop and function as it should. This is seen particularly in reproductive organs, with the result of more deformed offspring and a decline in birth rates of all forms of animals, including fish and mammals. In severe cases of pollution this can devastate entire eco-systems in the affected areas.
Whilst the short life span of EGBEs as an active chemical mean it has a much smaller effect on the environment, large accumulations and regular exposure to creatures in the affected areas have resulted in a significant increase in cancers in those animal populations.
Packaging
Interestingly, one of the greatest environmental hazards comes not from the cleaning products themselves, but the packaging they come in. The plastic that can withstand the corrosive effects of the stronger cleaners contains molecules known as Phthalates. This molecule is known to affect the reproductive systems of animals and lead to abnormalities in offspring. It does not bind easily to the other components of plastic, so has a marked tendency to leach out over time. They are then released in to the environment along with the cleaning product itself. This is also a concern for people who regularly handle the containers and is a good reason for wearing gloves and masks when doing so. Old drums and containers are often used by farmers for livestock feed, and in this way phthalates can enter the food chain, presenting yet more hazards.
A growing consumer awareness of the polluting effect of many of the everyday cleaners we take for granted has led to a growing call to use "Green" cleaners. These are cleaning products that don't have the same detrimental effect on the environment, and are based mainly on lemon juice, vinegar and caustic soda. The more benign nature of the products means alternative plastics can also be used in the packaging, removing that particular hazard as well.
Brighton Cleaners are a Brighton based office cleaning company with a wealth of experience to share to help you keep your workspace clean and in top condition. Click on the link to find out more:http://www.smartcleanservices.co.uk/office_cleaners_brighton.htm
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