Cleaning AgentsChemicals of concern: Ingredients may include surfactants, chemicals that enhance the effects of other compounds, alter acid-base balance, bind minerals and metals like mercury, fragrances, and disinfectants.Affected individuals: Healthcare workers, community members living in production and disposal sites.Harmful effects: Solvents may include glycol ethers, some of which cause birth defects, toxicity to testes, and damage to red blood cellSome solvents are toxic to the nervous systemSurfactants such as alkylphenol ethoxylates degrade into nonylphenol, which is toxic to aquatic wildlife; ethanolamines can cause asthmaMay contain chemicals that cause cancer, reproductive disorders, respiratory ailments, eye and skin irritation, central nervous system impairment, etc.Alternatives: Less-toxic cleaning agents are widely available used. GreenSeal, for instance, certifies cleaners with lower environmental and human health toxicity.
