According to a study, nearly every cleaning product releases hundreds of potentially toxic chemicals when used.
Researchers from the Environmental Working Group tested 30 common household products such as glass cleaners, stain removers and air fresheners.
They said all but one released measurable levels of volatile compounds, or VOCs, when inhaled – tiny toxins linked to cancer, asthma and fertility problems.
Ten products released levels of chemicals so high that they violated European safety standards, and the VOCs remained in the air for up to four hours.
Even some “green” products – which are supposedly safer and more environmentally friendly – release dangerous levels of VOCs, they said.
The researchers added that the study was a “wake-up call” for consumers and said people needed to be “more aware” of the risks of cleaning products.
Pictured above are the 29 of 30 products that released VOCs into the air. They are ranked by the total amount of VOCs released into the air within four hours of use, from highest to least released, according to the study. Only one product that has been tested – Dr. Bronner’s Pure Castile Soap, Unscented for Babies – Released no VOCs when used. Ten products released VOC levels so high that they violated European safety standards
Four of the ten worst products were all-purpose cleaners. Five of them were a mix of glass, floor and carpet cleaners and one was an air freshener.
Dr. Alexis Temkin, a senior toxicologist at EWG, said: “This study is a wake-up call for consumers, researchers and regulators to become more aware of the potential risks associated with the numerous chemicals that enter our indoor air.”
“Our results highlight one way to reduce exposure to dangerous VOCs – by choosing “green” products, particularly those that are “green” and “fragrance-free.”
For the study, published in the journal Chemosphere, scientists purchased the most popular cleaning products sold online at stores such as Walmart, Amazon and Home Depot between December 2019 and May 2022.
Fourteen of the products claimed on their packaging that they were “green” and therefore less toxic and environmentally friendly.
Each was sprayed onto a glass panel in a sealed chamber and then wiped off about a minute later to mimic home use.
Glass and disinfectant sprays were applied one full spray, while stain removers and carpet cleaners were sprayed twice, and wipe and wipe products were applied until the surface was visibly wet. Air fresheners were sprayed five times.
The air in the chamber was then tested for the presence of VOCs over the next four hours.
According to the study, a total of 530 VOCs were released from all products.
193 of them were considered hazardous to health, the EWG said after examining Californian and European standards.
For comparison, estimates suggest that cigarette smoke contains at least 400 VOCs.
There are hundreds of household cleaning products on sale in the United States – the market is estimated to be worth $7.73 billion in 2023 alone – and this study shows just a small snapshot of all the products available.
Researchers have known for years that cleaners are more likely to suffer from respiratory problems and asthma than others – which has been linked to their regular exposure to cleaning products.
Dr. David Andrews, a senior scientist at the Environmental Working Group, told : “There is no established safe exposure level or limit for VOCs, nor are there specific health regulations for VOC emissions from cleaning products.”
“Some VOCs are much more dangerous than others, but it is not known which VOCs or mixtures of VOCs cause the most harm.”
“Our results found that approximately half of total VOC emissions came from chemicals for which safe exposure levels have not been established, even in an industrial setting.”
He added: “As there is no clear research to indicate which chemicals are harmful to health, it is prudent to reduce overall VOC exposure.”
Ten products released levels of chemicals so high that they violated European safety standards, and the VOCs remained in the air for up to four hours (stock image).
Conventional products emitted the most VOCs of all 30 products, with HDX Glass Cleaner, Scott’s Liquid Gold Wood Care and Lestoil Heavy-Duty Multi-Purpose Cleaner being the worst offenders, according to the study.
Green products, on the other hand, emit about half as many VOCs, they said, but some still exceeded European standards for potential health harm.
Those classified as eco-friendly and fragrance-free released the lowest amount, almost eight times less than conventional products and four times less than green products.
Only one product – Dr. Bronner’s Pure Castile Soap, Unscented for Babies – did not release VOCs when used.
Two of the most harmful VOCs found among the products were 2-butoxyethanol and isopropanol.
They are used to remove fats and oils, kill microorganisms and remove stains.
According to the American Lung Association, the VOCs can cause harm and irritate the eyes, nose, throat and lungs when inhaled over a long period of time.
A 2021 study also found that VOCs can increase someone’s risk of developing conditions like asthma.
Previous studies have shown that 2-butoxyethanol can irritate the eyes, ears and nose and cause coughing, runny nose and headaches, while isopropanol is known to cause rash, itching and dry skin.
Other ingredients used in cleaning products — like phthalates, parabens and alkylphenols — have previously been linked to breast cancer, says Breast Cancer Prevention Partners.
Research has already shown that cleaners who are regularly exposed to these products have a 50 percent higher risk of developing asthma. Women in this area also have a higher risk of lung cancer.
Some studies also suggest that increased use of certain room cleaners in households with children may increase the risk of teenagers developing asthma.
The VOCs can also harm the environment and contribute to outdoor air pollution, scientists say.
has reached out to the four companies whose products emit the most VOCs for comment.
These were Home Depot, which makes HDX glass cleaner, Nakoma Products, behind Scott’s Liquid Gold, the Clorox company, which makes Lestoil, and Fit, behind the organic multi-surface cleaner and degreaser Fit.