We’d like to believe that the soap we use to clean our dishes is safe for our bodies and our homes. Unfortunately, if you are buying any conventional dish soaps, you are probably bringing a great amount of chemicals into your home.
One of these toxic dish soaps is Dawn. Just take a look at the ingredients which include:
water, sodium lauryl sulfate, sodium laureth sulfate, lauramine oxide, sodium chloride, phenoxyethanol, PEI-14 PEG-10/PPG-7 copolymer, methylisothiazolinone, fragrance, yellow 5.
The Environmental Working Group gave Dawn a ‘D’ grade because it contains methylisothiazolinone, which is a “High Concern: acute aquatic toxicity.”
So, what exactly is methylisothiazolinone?
It is an antimicrobial and preservative in the form of a soluble concentrated liquid or solid that is used in a variety of applications, such as personal care and cleaning products. According to the EPA in the 1998 document, “Reregistration Eligibility Decision, Methylisothiazolinone”, Methylisothiazolinone is a highly corrosive chemical that has been found to be toxic when ingested, inhaled, or applied to the skin or eyes in animal studies.”
Per the European Chemicals Agency database, methylchloroisothiazolinone (MCI) is fatal if swallowed, inhaled, or if it comes in contact with the skin. Besides, it may cause an allergic skin reaction and respiratory irritation. Additionally, it causes severe skin burns and eye damage and is very toxic to aquatic life with long lasting effects.
To identify the worst kind, look for the following ingredients on the product label:
- Fragrance
- Colorants
- Ethoxylated ingredients
- Benzisothiazolinone
- Methylisothiazolinone
- Methylchloroisothiazolinone
- Formaldehyde-releasing preservatives
- Phosphates. …
- Triclosan. …
- SLS (sodium lauryl sulfate)/SLES (sodium laureth sulfate) …..
- DEA (diethanolamine), MEA (monoethanolamine), TEA (triethanolamine) …
- Chlorine. …
- Formaldehyde. …
- Ammonia.
Sources:
http://fromfaye.com/2013/05/04/the-best-eco-friendly-dish-soaps
http://www.ewg.org/guides/subcategories/25-HandWashingDetergent
http://greencleaning.about.com/od/GreenCleaningResources/g/Methylisothiazolinone-What-It-Is-How-Its-Used-and-More.htm
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