This article is the second of a series of two extracted from the publication “Cleaning Agents: The Divide – Human Friendly vs Environmentally Friendly” by T. C. Yeomans, N. McKeon, J. McKeon and E.B. Mitchell, which appeared in the cleaning technology journal Tenside Surfactants Detergents (issue 02/2010, pages 81 – 86).
The last decade or so has seen an exponential increase in the amount of products that are sold or marketed as being environmentally friendly. However, for many consumers the main impetus in the purchase of “green” cleaning products is the health of the individual rather than concern for the environment. Despite the impression of consumers that environmentally friendly cleaners are also better for their own health, these products can contain ingredients that may cause inhalation difficulties and irritation for sensitive individuals. The development of strict guidelines for both the constituents and the labelling of cleaning products could allow consumers to choose an effective product that is also human and environmentally friendly.
