Gatorade or Pine Sol
This picture is sourced from somewhere in google images. I got it in an email from a peer. Thank you!
Don't know about you, but this image really horrifies me. Perhaps this has been passed around already or seen on TV or in a magazine somewhere, but this is the first time I've ever seen it.
I have not been in a main stream grocery store cleaning aisle in a really long time. I had no idea cleaning products went neon. I have seen the neon artificially colored Gatorade. Why this appeals to anyone is completely beyond me. Why a company thinks adding harmful colorant makes their products sell more is also beyond me. I admit to having a strong aversion to all things artificially and brightly colored foods. Including sno-cones, flavo-pops, m&ms, just to name a few things that come to mind. Why would I want to eat or drink something like that?
Neon Colored and Artificially Scented Cleaning Products? Does having purple Pine Sol make cleaning more fun? Is Orange Scent really going to make it any less toxic?
I remember when my son was born, and before cleaning green how someone said they kept their cleaning products up high, above the kitchen sink, instead of below. I grew up with my mom keeping everything under the kitchen sink, she used the toxic stuff, and for awhile so did I. I never knew anything else. The idea of a child drinking cleaning products just floored me - would a kid really do that? Oh yes indeed they would. Adopting the practice of keeping things out of harms way made sense. I started keeping cleaning products above the sink.
Of course years later when I switched products all together and didn't have that toxic stuff around I didn't have to be concerned.
Some statistics:
90 % of suspected poisonings occur at home from household products - excuse me this says POISONINGS!! NINETY Percent??
How about this one...
According to a 15-year study presented at the Toronto Indoor Air Conference, women who work at home have a 54% higher death rate from cancer than those who work away from home. The study concluded that this was a direct result of the increased exposure to toxic chemicals, many of which are found in common household products.
Death from working from home. Lovely.
Read a very comprehensive toxic household chemical facts and statistics commentary here.
So What's Under Your Kitchen Sink?
Carpet Cleaners are extremely toxic to children. The fumes given off by carpet cleaners can cause cancer and liver damage.
Chlorine is the Chemical most frequently involved in household poisonings and a potent pollutant. May cause reproductive, endocrine and immune system disorders.
Degreasers may contain petroleum distillates and butylcelosolve, which can damage lung tissues and dissolve fatty tissue surrounding nerve cells.
Drain Cleaners one of the most hazardous products in the home. Can contain lye, which is a strong caustic substance that causes severe corrosive damage to eyes, skin mouth, and stomach. Can be fatal if swallowed.
Glass Cleaners may contain ammonia. Fumes from ammonia can irritate skin, eyes, and respiratory system.
Mold & Mildew Removers are often an acute respiratory irritant. May damage lungs, eyes and skin.
Oven Cleaners are one of the most dangerous cleaning products. Can cause severe damage to eyes, skin, mouth, throat.
Scouring Cleansers may contain butyl cellosolve, a petroleum-based solvent that can irritate mucous membranes and cause liver and kidney damage.
Toilet Bowl Cleaners are one of the most dangerous cleaning products. Can contain chlorine and hydrochloric acid. Harmful to health simply by breathing during use.
Tub & Tile Cleaners can contain chlorine and may contribute to the formation of organocholorines, a dangerous class of compounds that can cause reproductive, endocrine and immune system disorders.
Want to learn more ? Click here and take the survey. These are just a few of the typical poisons found under most kitchen sinks.
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Karen Hanrahan ~ Wellness Educator/Nutritional Consultant/Blog Author
708.482.0678 ~ Websites: Nutrition Weight Loss, and Green Clean
How do you celebrate Earth Day?
If you're not cleaning green - what's stopping you?
Categories: Green Advocacy,Parenting,HeathE News Archive
very scary! Thanks for posting.
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isn't it?? You're very welcome!
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Every mother should read this piece. Great post. The photo is horrifying.
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Thanks for sharing my sentiment and horror
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Kids young enough to not know the difference shouldn't be drinking Gatorade anyway, so the point is moot.
I wouldn't target Pine Sol marketing for doing what it does, blame the parents for any 'accidents' that may happen in this case. Of course, I'm a marketer so maybe I'm the problem. :)
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I'm curious ...are you a parent?
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I second Lynn's comments. What a great article. That is an amazing picture to hit home your points.
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Thank you!!
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i saw the words "can" and "may" a lot in there. nothing that says "will". if these products are used correctly the chances are very very slim. did you know that many "home cleaners" that people use won't disinfect and won't get rid of the germs that cause many illnesses? yeah so think about that. i mean the sun "may" cause skin cancer but do you and your children stay indoors 24/7? my best guess on that is no. oh you put sunscreen on them? is that 100% going to keep them safe? NO! people have been using cleaning supplies as mentioned above for years and years. if you think that using "all natural" or "organic" is going to keep you alive for another few years then you have another thing coming to you. the one thing i do agree with is keeping your cleaning supplies completely out of a child's reach. and if everyone would just listen to that the 90% would probably go to 0%. and this comment is my opinion on things. thanks for reading!
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appreciate your point of view - with the recent rise of everything green and organic, being skeptic comes with any shift in new idea's - our company created their green line in the late 50's. A very large part of their premise was besides being non-toxic - was biodegradabilty, no harm to the environment and no filling landfills with unneccesary bottles. They did this ahead of it's time - pretty admirable. If you had an allergic child who's symtoms dramatically improved because of something as simple as switching cleaning products perhaps you'd appreciate the value of an alternative. If you were a victim of formaldyhde poisoning from a main stream sunscreen would you question the validity of products you buy from the grocery store - perhaps you'd use something different too? I feel it's weakened immune systems that contribute to illness. Not germs. With all said what I appreciate most is having choices that match my needs and ideals.
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Oh my kids, would definitely be able to tell the difference. They would instantly recognize the lightning bolt on the front as dangerous and go for the safer and more brightly colored alternative.
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One does have to wonder at the marketing brilliance of these manufacturer's though, eh ?? Nice to have you here, Luke at Best of Mother Earth. How old are your kids?
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8,6,5,2,11mo
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How wonderful !!!
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Wow!! I had no idea there were cleansers in so many attractive colors. It really seems like they would make them look unattractive to children. Unfortunately adults like things to be in pretty colors, too!
I do keep my cleansers up high, and I'm glad I do, but I might be tempted to check under the sink of any house I take my children to. It's worth it to look silly in front of your friends...could save a life!!
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True!!
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