Petrochemicals in cleaning products have been associated with higher cancer rates, respiratory, immune, and nervous system problems, and affect our indoor air quality. They are also a common offender in poisonings of children. Petroleum-based cleaning products also contribute to pollution of our environment in the process of their extraction, transportation, refining, and distribution. Solvents are often found in cleaning products, as they easily dissolve many substances. Solvents attack the nervous system when inhaled, and can cause reproductive health effects, such as genital and cardiac defects.
Exposure can also cause skin, lung, blood, liver, and kidney problems.
Some solvents are believed to be carcinogenic. Solvents may also become air and water pollutants. It is also thought that organochlorines can mimic human hormones, fitting into hormone receptors and causing effects such as cancers, reproductive and immune system abnormalities, and a host of other problems. It may be safest to keep bleached paper products out of the home during pregnancy, to avoid exposure during this sensitive time in your baby's development. Another important thing to know about dioxin and organochlorines is that they have negative effects on the environment as well as our bodies.