Is it possible to produce common household products that are sustainable and safe?
The icon indicates free access to the linked research on JSTOR. We thought we were slowing the chemical pollution crisis by swapping our bleach for non-toxic cleaning alternatives and ensuring our beauty products only have naturally derived ingredients. Yet, studies demonstrate that green cleaning products and common sustainable swaps still contain ingredients that are harmful to human life. Browsing the web or walking down the aisle of any major grocery store, you'll find trendy household and cosmetic products labelled "natural," "green," or "safe for our oceans." Maybe you let out a sigh of relief: you're reassured by the leaf on the label, a "1% for the Planet" designation, or a PETA certification that relieves you of the planetary impact your consumption may cause. Nonetheless, there might be significant cause for concern for your and your family's health following the purchase. There's been little continuous study of regular exposure to these products and little regulatory oversight of hazardous chemical usage in common household products in the United States. As Community Health Nurse, Merri Lynne Bunge, warned us almost five decades ago, the use of new chemicals in the home has expanded rapidly. From the bleach and Drāno that ensure spotless bathrooms to the formaldehyde found in almost one-fifth of all cosmetic products, our exposure to potentially harmful substances is widespread. To meet that moment, the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) was passed in 1976, regulating more than 80,000 chemicals and their usage through the Food and Drug Administration. Yet, the TSCA allowed for more than "60,000 chemicals that were on the market to continue being used without additional safety protections," writes Elizabeth Grossman. Unlike pharmaceuticals,…