Serving Size: 4.92 MB Servings Per Container: 1 In Your Body On Your Body For Your Home For Your Family Seeking Medical Treatment How to Detoxify Your Body Guide to Symptoms A Healthy House Values, Vision & Mission Background & History Staff & Advisors News & Upcoming Events Join Our Mailing List Contact Us Recommended Resources Index of Terms Works Cited This product contains 100% natural ingredients. Easy Pay Pal Donations TNTP Grade A Brain-food More Special Features Back to Index of Terms The product Dishwashing Liquid is in the following categories: Household Cleaners Dishwashing Liquid CHEMICALS CONTAINED: The Consumer Product Safety Commission regulates cleaning products, but it focuses only on the “hazardous ingredients.” Mainstream commercial products clean using surfactants made from petroleum by-products. Usually they are used with hot water, which helps to vaporize the toxic chemicals in the dishwashing liquid. They often contain synthetic dyes and fragrances. Most synthetic dyes and fragrances are made from petroleum by-products or coal tars (a carcinogenic liquid or semi-liquid from bituminous coal). Coal tars can contain benzene, xylene, naphthalene, phenol and creosol. Synthetic fragrances are much less expensive than natural ones, and so are most commonly used. Most have not been tested for safety, or have undergone only minimal testing. Each individual fragrance may be made from up to 4,000 different chemical components. The chemical formulas of fragrances are considered trade secrets and so may be listed on labels only as “fragrance.” They may contain ammonia as well. HEALTH CONCERNS: Ammonia is a very volatile chemical and irritates and burns the skin. It is also very irritating to eyes, lungs and the respiratory system. Synthetic fragrances may cause a wide range of acute and chronic effects such as respiratory irritation, headache, sneezing, watery eyes, other allergic symptoms, sensitization, nervous system depression and skin irritation. Nitrobenzene may be used in making synthetic dyes. Benzene is a known human carcinogen. Naphthalene is a possible human carcinogen that has been linked to cancer in animal tests, and exposure to large amounts may damage or destroy red blood cells. Nitrobenzene can irritate eyes and skin at low exposure levels, and in larger amounts has damaged liver and blood in animals. TIPS & ALTERNATIVES: There are many nontoxic alternative products on the market. Look for those made with plant-based surfactants, contain no synthetic dyes, are unscented or scented with pure essential oils, and that biodegrade quickly. To make your own, use just about any natural liquid soap. Add essential oils for fragrance. You can also add a little bit of lemon juice to your dish water to help to cut grease. Back to Index of Terms