It is well-known that cleaning products that are chemical-based can be dangerous. A study in Massachusetts highlighted that the fluids used for cleaning in the hospitals are threatening the patients. The study was conducted at the Massachusetts Lowell Sustainable Hospitals Program and was made public in the Environmental Health journal in order to raise awareness over the danger represented by toxins existent in cleaners.
In addition, Anila Bello, who carried on the study, said that these cleansers are a constant risk for the workers who handle them daily, but also for the exposed patients. She added that cleansers get to us through the air and that they can seriously affect our respiratory system and skins. There was put great emphasis on the striking necessity of protecting people from the dangers represented by chemical cleansers. Hence, it’s critical to switch to organic products that don’t contain any sorts of toxins.
Furthermore, Bello added that the ingredients contained in the cleaning products that were used in the hospitals were analyzed and they contained several toxic substances that can cause respiratory and skin irritations, allergies and additional conditions. Also, they included quaternary ammonium chlorides and glycol, substances that can be absorbed by the skin extremely fast. Most of them also contained alcohols, various phenols, ammonia, benzyl and many other toxins that are perilous.
Moreover, the reason why the study was initiated in the first place was because an increasing number of persons were suffering from respiratory diseases, including patients and janitors. Likewise, there was no data on the workplace exposure and occupational hygiene, thus it was unclear which cleaning products were causing asthma or respiratory difficulties in patients and workers.
Reports made by the hospital pointed out that there was a great need for a systematic evaluation of all cleaning products used and the ingredients they contain. Therefore, the study has various objectives to determine the damaging substances contained. Finally, the study involved interviews inside the hospital, analyses of the occupational hygiene and assessments of all the products used in. Also, according to the article published in the Environmental Health journal, this study was aimed mainly at practitioners and scientists in all the areas where human health is involved directly and indirectly.