In a previous post we talked about some dangerous chemicals that are found in cleaning products. However, there was one chemical that we did not discuss and I think that it deserves our attention. The chemical is called Alkylphenolic ethoxylates. The main application of APEs is that they are used in detergents.
APEs are synthetic surfactants. What a surfactant does is help dissolve matter (dirt, blood, ect.) that would not easily be dissolved by water. However, APEs are very hazardous to human health. The World Health Organization and the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) have recognized APEs as carcinogens. In addition to causing cancer, APEs are believed to mimic hormones in your body and cause disruptions in your endocrine (the system responsible for regulation of your hormones) system. Some examples of the health effects that result from exposure to APEs are that it disrupts your immune system and can cause breast cancer cells to grow more rapidly
In addition to human health effects, APEs causes harm to the environment. When APEs are introduced into a water supply, it can cause disruptions to the wildlife that dwell there. For example, APEs have been shown to cause harm to many salmon populations in the wild. When a salmon comes in contact with this chemical it can cause reproduction damage and feminization or hermaphrodation. Since this chemical can mimic estrogen, it can cause male salmon to become female salmon or develop female sex organs in addition to their male ones.
As you can see this chemical can cause harm to our bodies and to the environment. That is why you must check that the product you use does not contain APEs. At Planet Green Clean, we make sure that all products we sell do not have this chemical because we care about our customers' health and the well being of the environment.
Sources: http://www.healthychild.org/issues/chemical-pop/alkylphenols_and_alkylphenol_ethoxylates/
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