| The new word today is Green. We even have a | | | | Pending the exposure, the chemical can have a |
| Green Czar in the White House to oversee the | | | | toxic effect, or at a level where the effect is |
| creation and utilization of green or environmental | | | | reversible, and finally to the level where |
| preservation industries. The idea being that we | | | | permanent consequences occur. Hazardous |
| have to be more aware of the effects on our | | | | degreasers can contain petroleum distillates and |
| environment that hazardous materials play, not to | | | | butyl celosolve which can damage both lung tissue |
| mention the negative side effects chemicals can | | | | and the fatty tissue surrounding cells. |
| create to those using the chemicals directly or | | | | Toxic cleaners contain dangerous ingredients such |
| indirectly. | | | | as neurotoxins, carcinogens, allergens, central |
| For some time safe and natural cleaning has been | | | | nervous depressants, heavy metals and other |
| replacing the use of hazardous chemicals used for | | | | substances. Unfortunately exposure to these |
| cleaning in the home. It is like a return to our | | | | substances can contribute to cancer, respiratory |
| roots in utilizing natural items like baking soda and | | | | problems, reproductive abnormalities, allergic |
| vinegar to clean rather than some toxic easy to | | | | reactions, and behavioral issues. |
| use commercial cleaner. The trend towards Green | | | | In addition to the danger of direct usage of these |
| Cleaning has evolved from the home and into | | | | chemicals there needs to be taken into |
| industrial cleaning. | | | | consideration that these chemicals also enter into |
| Organic cleaners provide environmentally friendly, | | | | the soil and ground water upon disposal which |
| cost effective alternatives to the toxic and | | | | then not only effects the environment but also |
| potentially hazardous cleaning products currently in | | | | negatively affects both plant and animal life. |
| the market place. | | | | Organic degreasers are biodegradable and produce |
| Solvents that contain hazardous chemicals are | | | | no harmful odors and leave no residue. In addition |
| substances that pose a health or direct physical | | | | organic degreasers typically contain enzyme |
| hazard. A health hazard is one where exposure to | | | | producing bacteria that aids in the break down of |
| the substance may cause an acute or chronic | | | | fats, oils, greases, starches, and proteins. Typically |
| health effect. A physical hazard can be described | | | | they are safe on metal and aluminum and do not |
| as a chemical that is a combustible liquid, a | | | | contain phosphates which can contribute to |
| compressed gas, explosive, flammable, unstable | | | | environmental issues. |
| or water reactive. Another consideration is if a | | | | In comparing the hazards of using chemical based |
| chemical is a compound of other chemicals and | | | | cleansers to their more environmental and user |
| any one part is considered hazardous, then the | | | | friendly organic counterparts, needless to say, the |
| entire compound is also considered hazardous. | | | | negative effects far outweigh the environmentally |
| More than 70,000 chemicals have been identified | | | | and health considerations of using organic based |
| as toxic. A chemical producing a toxic effect is | | | | solvents. |
| one that alters the normal state of an organism. | | | | |