Your carpet may be spotless, but that doesn’t mean it’s safe for the little ones in your household — especially if you use over-the-counter cleaning products. Infants, toddlers and children are especially at risk from toxic fumes that are released by the cleaners. “They’re growing so fast that their metabolism rates are high, so pound-for-pound they inhale more air than adults,” says pediatrician Keith S. Somers, MD.
Dr. Somers took this into consideration when his practice, Children’s Community Pediatrics-GIL on Penn Avenue in Pittsburgh’s East End, opened the first environmentally sustainable pediatric office in the region. The pediatricians installed natural fiber carpeting, painted the walls using zero-VOC (volatile organic compounds) paint and added a carbon monoxide monitoring system to minimize exposure to chemicals.
What can you do at home? Read product labels before purchasing cleaning products. “If it says, ‘warning,’ or ‘danger,’ you don’t want it in your home,” Dr. Somers says. Take the time to go through your cupboards to eliminate “the worst cleaning offenders,” most of which contain ammonia or chlorine. The vapors from these products can cause headaches and irritate the skin and eyes. These include:
- Drain cleaners
- Automatic dishwashing liquid
- Dishwashing liquid
- Toilet bowl cleaner
- Oven cleaner
Instead of these compounds, use non-toxic, environmentally friendly alternatives, including white vinegar, baking soda and liquid Castile soap. “These products, along with a little elbow grease, will do the job,” he says.
For questions about toxic materials and chemicals, contact the Pittsburgh Poison Center at 1.800.222.1222.