Dyes And Dangers If a product has a color, it probably contains artificial dye. Some manufacturers will choose to list a dye under Section II of the MSDS, but are not required to provide any details. Synthetic dyes are created in a laboratory and are made primarily from petroleum by-products and coal tar. Coal tars can contain benzene and naph-thalene. Benzene is a known human carcinogen and naphthalene has been linked to cancer in animal tests. Exposure to large amounts of naphthalene may damage or destroy red blood cells. Scents And Cents Synthetic fragrance oils are quite often used in cleaning products because they are less pricey than essential oils, which are made from the actual pressing of the plant. Synthetic oils are derived by chemical reactions and created in the form of synthet-ic compounds. As an example, according to the British Essential Oil Association, artificial lavender fragrance oil can contain amyl cinnamic alde-hyde, which is manufactured from benalde-hyde, a possible carcinogen. Lavender fragrance oil can also contain camphor, which can cause irritation to eyes, skin and the respiratory system. An artificial fragrance may or may not be listed under Section II of the MSDS. Sometimes, they are listed on the prod-uct’s ingredient list as “fragrance” or “fra-grance oil.” Although essential oils are more expensive than synthetic alternatives, you can find cleaning products that contain them for fra-grance and cleaning benefits. “We reject the use of synthetic ingredients and actually go one step further by sourcing organic suppliers for our essential oils,” points out Luke Bobek, director of industrial and institutional sales for Earth Friendly Products. “Many of our essential oils are recognized by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) National Organic Program.” The USDA National Organic Program assures consumers that products are grown with all natural substances, as all synthetic substances are prohibited. To earn this certification, the organic crops are raised without using most conventional pesticides, petroleum-based fertilizers or sewage sludge-based fertilizers. Although the company’s products are made with plant-based products and essential oils, Bobek is quick to point out that using quality ingredients does not translate into more expensive cleaning products. “With over two decades of plant-based manufacturing experience, we’ve learned how to use these pure ingredients, yet hold down the cost,” Bobek clarifies. “Most of our products are actually less expensive than the comparable non-green brands.” The next time you evaluate your green cleaning products, consider the additional information contained in the HMIS ratings, the color of the product and the source of its fragrance. CM Circle Product Information no. 211 on page 32 www.cmmonline.com 35
CMM – Archives Jan 2011: 35
