Under the Sink - Week 10 - Chemistry

Lesson: Chemistry of Household Products

Investigating chemicals under the kitchen sink. 

Safe vs Brand Name

• Clorox
• Sodium hypochlorite, sodium chloride, sodium chlorate, sodium hydroxide, and sodium polyacrylate.  
• Dawn Ultra
• Methylisothiazolinone, FD&C Yellow 5, Sodium lauryl sulfate, sodium laureth sulfate, alcohol ethoxylates, lauramine oxide, sodium chloride, sodium hydroxide. 
• Nature's Miracle Allergy Blocker
• Aluminum sulfate, allergen complex blocker, conditioner, moisturizer and fragrance. 
• Nature's Miracle Stain and Odor Remover
• Isopropyl alcohol, enzymes, fragrance, and water. 
• 409 Multi-surface Cleaner
• Alkyl dimethyl benzyl ammonium chlorides, ethanolamine, fragrance, dimethicone/silica/pegdistearate antifoam. 
• Shout Triple Action
• Sodirum Borate, fragrance, surfactants, enzyme, ethoxylated undecyl alcohol, and sodium hydroxide. 
• Kirkland Signature - Environmentally Responsible Dishsoap
• Surfactants, antiredeposition agent, fragrance, and enzymes. 
• Mean Green - Super Strength
• sodium hypochlorite, and sodium hydroxide. 
• Softsoap Advanced Clean. 
• Triclosan (active ingredient), sodium chloride, etc. 

Based off of the Environmental Working Group, the items found under the kitchen sink seem to be more harmful for either the environment or our own bodies. 

Shout Triple Action and Mean Green are the items that has highest number of categories which may cause illnesses to the human body. Shout Triple Action contains ingredients which affects the respiratory system, skin allergies/irritation, developmental and reproductive toxicity of the highest concern, as well as a small concern for cancer. While for Mean Green, it's highest concern in asthma as well as the respiratory system. 

Of all the items, Nature's Miracle Stain and Odor Remover had the least amount of categories that are of concern. And incidentally, not very much factors which help with the environment as well. The ingredient of aluminum sulfate inside Nature's Miracle Allergy Blocker concerns me as an ingredient that stands out from the rest as it is known to cause skin irritations in some cases. 

409, Dawn, and Kirkland Signature's Dish soap have two categories of products that are harmful for the body, and one category of ingredients which are harmful for the environment. Out of the three, Kirkland Signature's product contains chemicals that raise moderate concern for cancer as well. 

***

This investigation has taught me that not all products that claims to be good for the environment are completely true, as there are still chemicals in the product which may cause harm to our world. I was surprised to see the range of items that I use today have chemicals that are harmful for myself and my family members. The amount of toxicity some of these products have can truly be dangerous if used improperly. 

It has become clear for me to see that I can take action in choosing more alternative options than brand name products. Even the use of diy or home-made cleaners could make a difference.