According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the air inside our homes can have two to five times the level of pollutants as the air outside.  This is due to volatile organic compounds (VOCs) emitted from household products we use.

These VOCs are present in nearly all products we use on a daily basis: cleaning products, laundry detergents, dish soaps, paints, air fresheners, etc.

Health effects

The EPA lists a dizzying number of possible health effects associated with exposure to VOCs:

• Eye, nose, and throat irritation
• Headaches
• Loss of coordination
• Nausea
• Allergic reaction
• Damage to liver, kidney, and central nervous system
• Cancer

Reducing your exposure

Studies done by the EPA “found levels of about a dozen common organic pollutants to be 2 to 5 times higher inside homes than outside, regardless of whether the homes were located in rural or highly industrial areas.”

So, what can you do to reduce your exposure and reduce the health risks?  The EPA recommends increasing the air flow and ventilation in your home when using products that contain VOCs.  This will allow the chemicals to escape to the outside, rather than being trapped indoors for you to inhale.  They also recommend buying in small quantities so you will use the products quickly, which will prevent the continual release of VOCs from opened containers.

Alternative products

I recommend going a step further: switch to alternative products.  There are many alternative products readily available that do not contain VOCs.  Arguably the most well-known brand is Seventh Generation.  I have been buying their products for years.

Rather than using petroleum-based ingredients – the norm for our everyday products – Seventh Generation uses safe, plant-based ingredients.  Not only are these products free of VOCs, but they’re also non-toxic, hypo-allergenic, biodegradable, safe for septic systems, and not tested on animals.  What’s good for us is also usually good for the planet.

Other well-known brands include Earth Friendly Products, Ecover, Dr. Bronner’s, and BioKleen.

More information

In an interesting interview with the CEO of Seventh Generation, Jeffrey Hollender, he says, “Our homes are so largely polluted that the California Air Resources Board evaluated the second greatest source of air pollution after automobiles in the state of California, and it was household cleaning and personal care products.”

Hollender actually wrote a book titled Naturally Clean in which he explains the health risks associated with using conventional household products.  The book also provides a room-by-room guide to making your house a healthier place to live.

Where to buy?

Alternative household products are readily available at Whole Foods and all health food stores.  Many large grocery chains are beginning to carry the products as well.  If you can’t seem to find the products in your area or just prefer the convenience of shopping online, you can purchase many products at Gaiam and Amazon.

Do you use alternative household products?  If so, what’s your favorite brand?