How often do you check the labels of your household cleaners? You might be surprised just how many of them contain bleach. But bleach is a good thing, right? It kills germs, makes white clothes brighter, and sanitizes common areas. Not so fast. The dangers of bleach are real. Bleach is a highly hazardous chemical, and a lot of people use bleach-based products without knowing the potentially harmful effects they can have on anyone exposed.
Is bleach toxic? Well, yes. Bleach can be harmful to us humans, our pets, and our environment. When bleach is inhaled or accidentally comes in contact with the skin, it can do severe damage. Bleach is especially dangerous because it lingers. Keep in mind that bleach fumes can accumulate and remain in spaces. So, even if you open all the windows and vents in your home, using bleach can still result in adverse health effects.
Personal Health Dangers
As you probably already know, the fumes from bleach are potent. When it's inhaled, it may do a lot more damage than fill your nostrils with an unpleasant scent; it can cause various health problems. Bleach danger can wreak havoc on the skin, lungs, and eyes—the dangers of bleach increase for anyone with respiratory issues, asthma, and allergies.
Environmental Dangers
Bleach dangers don't stop at runny noses, itchy skin, migraines, and potential chemical burns. This controversial chemical can also negatively impact the environment. Manufacturers that produce chlorine bleach-based products often release it in water along with other liquid industrial waste. When bleach gets in bodies of water, the chlorine mixes with other organic compounds already in the water - creating new harmful toxins.
The toxins include dioxins, and PCDDs or "persistent organic pollutants." They got their name because it takes a few years for them to disappear from water. According to Greenpeace, dioxin is one of the "most dangerous chemicals in history and warns others that it can contribute to cancer, endocrine disorders, and other health risks."
What can we do to replace bleach?
Schools and businesses have to be continually cleaned to help prevent the spread of COVID-19. Imagine the havoc using ample amounts of bleach will have on students and employers. The GreenPlanet Scientific disinfectant for schools and businesses doesn't hurt the environment or people, while still killing harmful germs.
Cleanliness Concerns
For a lot of household cleaning jobs, bleach just isn't the right cleaning solution. Yes, it can help disinfect germ-prone areas like the toilet and bathtub, but it's pretty ineffective to eliminate odors, remove pet messes, and actually clean. Because it's not a cleaner, it's a disinfectant. Luckily, there are healthier odor eliminator alternatives too bleach.