The Clorox Company has led the way in providing consumers with information related to fragrances used in their products (http://www.cloroxcsr.com/fragrances/). Prior to the release of this information, chemical ingredients for cleaning agents did not include a listing of fragrances. Women's Voices for the Earth encouraged companies to publish this information. The organization campaigned that consumers should know the risks they may be taking when using housekeeping agents. Prior to this campaign, objections to listing fragrance ingredients provided by companies manufacturing cleaning products included packaging space needed to list ingredients on a product, the complexity of the chemistry of the ingredients, and the difficulty the average consumer would experience in interpreting the significance of these ingredients.

Women's Voices for the Earth emphasizes that fragrances used in cleaning products can contribute to various health problems. Lavender or lemon oils act as allergens. Synthetic musks have been shown to accumulate in the environment and may disrupt hormone function in aquatic animals. Phthalates, used as preservatives, are related to reproductive or developmental problems in laboratory animals. This information is significant to consumers as well as healthcare practitioners. Identification of ingredients used in cleaning agents can help us identify causes or concerns for families, friends, and patients related to these agents.

Source: Women's Voices for the Earth. Victory! Clorox discloses all ingredients. February 8, 2011. Available athttp://www.womensvoices.org/our-work/safe-cleaning-products/change-corporate-pra. Accessed February 15, 2011.

Submitted by: Robin E. Pattillo, PhD, RN, CNL, News Editor at [email protected].