Cleaning agents such as detergents, antiseptics and disinfectants serve the important purpose of ensuring and maintaining cleanliness in most households. The use of these agents, expose households to pollution. Pollution is mainly in the form of water and air pollution. Cleaning and disinfecting properties of these agents arise from the chemical ingredients that are used to formulate them. These ingredients pose as potential household pollutants.
Most cleaning agents contain chemical ingredients such as phenols, hydrofluoric acid, Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs), Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs), propane and butane. When these cleaning agents are used, they come into contact with the skin, water and the air. This contact allows for contamination and consequently pollution.
For example, when cleaning agents containing VOCs are used, the VOCs readily evaporate and mix the air, dissolve in water or react with the skin. Contact of the mucous layer with contaminated air causes immediate health effects such as nasal and eye irritation. The chemicals also readily dissolve in foods and water causing adverse health effects such as loss of appetite and cancer. Therefore, they can also cause water and food pollution.
The following is a summary of some of the health effects caused by the chemical ingredients. PCBs induce carcinoma, hepatic adenoma, eye discharge, expectoration, immunosuppression, liver and lung cancer. Propane, butane and phenols are carcinogenic and also contribute to respiratory diseases. VOCs cause eye, nose and throat irritation, liver and kidney damage and visual disorders. Cleaning agents with potential pollutants and adverse health effects can be avoided through the use natural products or through the use of cleaning agents that do not contain hazardous ingredients.
Flooring is a common feature in many households. They are mostly in the form of fitted carpets and PVC (polyvinyl chloride) flooring. The chemicals that are used to make the flooring and give them their properties are potential household pollutants. PVCs contain organotin compounds for stabilization and phthalate plasticizers for flexibility. Organotin compounds also help the flooring against mould, fungi, bacteria and mites. However, organotin compounds are toxic to the immune system.
Phthalate compounds especially butyl benzyl phthalate (BBP) is known to cause adverse health effects such as birth defects, endocrine-disrupting effects, reproductive and developmental effects, bronchial obstruction and asthma among children. Treated carpets contain permethrin pesticide used against dust mites. Permethrin has neurotoxic effects. Carpets also contain organotins with the aforementioned effects and additives such as brominated flame retardant BDE-209. Human exposure to these compounds may occur through inhalation of contaminated air and ingesting dust or contaminated food. These potential pollutants and consequently their adverse health effects can be avoided through the use of organotin and phthalate free PVC flooring and carpets. Alternatives such as wooden floors that have safe treatments and polishes can also be used.
Climate Change
Climate change is a universally accepted scientific consensus and occurrence whose prevalence is widely accepted is as a result of human activities that affect the environment negatively. Human activities; such as transport, agriculture, industry and construction, have contributed to climate change for they emit greenhouse gases such as carbon dioxide, chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) and sulphur hexafluoride (United Nations Environmental Program, 2007).
The problem of climate change has been viewed as one that is insoluble which has hampered mitigation efforts towards resolving this problem. The availability, use and study of the effects and use of energy efficient and carbon free technologies has shown that greenhouse gas emissions can be reduced drastically hence reducing the effects of human-induced climate change (Urban Green Council, 2013).
Environmental Problem in Libby, Montana
The environmental problem in Libby, Montana is associated with the mining of vermiculite ore in the area; which was contaminated with tremolite asbestos, which had begun in the 1920s but continued from 1963 to 1990. The community, local residents, miners and mill-workers faced and face environmental and public health issues such as illnesses (asbestosis) and deaths, due to exposure to asbestos through soil and air pollution.
These issues have been present since 1963 to-date despite the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) having completed the Libby clean-up in 2012 by removing contaminated soil and reported in 2011 that the air was safe. The current presence of environment and public health issues is as a result of cross-contamination and the areas where EPA has been denied access to clean up.
Works Cited
Urban Green Council, 2013, 90 by 50 Report. Web.
United Nations Environmental Program, 2007. Environment Outlook: Environment for Development (GEO-4). Web.