Household Products that Pollute the Air
Air pollution is a topic of compelling interest when considering climate change. By definition, air pollution is the emission of toxins into the atmosphere that proves harmful to human health and the planet and its entirety. It occurs due to energy usage and the constant production of detrimental services such as burning fossil fuels that discharge chemicals and gases into the air.
Detailed as a catastrophic feedback loop, not only does it contribute to climate change, but it is also magnified by it. To reduce the severity of this threat, the Natural resources Defense Council (NRDC) established a legislative law in 1970 outlining the much-needed input on protecting public health by modulating the emissions of dangerous air pollutants through the Clean Air Act.
Although implemented regulations have aided in reducing the threat of climate change, it is still an inevitable consequence of our actions as we continue to utilize harmful resources as our prime dependents. What's unfortunate is the lack of awareness of the specific everyday products that speed up our environmental problems. Reducing your impact is more than exchanging in a gas-guzzling vehicle, studies suggest. Research implies that household items are also corrupting our air.
But what products to be exact? - Mainly petroleum-based chemicals like paints, cleaning supplies, and personal care items such as deodorants and perfume. According to new examinations, these commonly-used products contribute to volatile organic air pollution (VOCs) in urban locations as vehicles. VOCs also subscribe to increased ground-level ozone or small mass pollution, causing lung disease and breathing problems.
And what are VOCs? VOCs or volatile organic compounds are gases released into the air in the form of products. Most prove to demonstrate less favorable consequences, with extreme results going as far as causing cancer. VOCs involve many chemicals present in our everyday lives, such as benzene, formaldehyde, and xylene. When VOCs react with other chemicals, such as oxygen and nitrogen oxides (like vehicle exhaust), they can create ozone and fine particulates, fostering human health issues.
Shampoo: One of the more destructive products consumed with harmful chemicals is surprisingly shampoo. This is becoming evident due to the progression of air pollution from diversified sources. The tremendous environmental impact it displays involves the transmission of chemicals, specifically VOCs, into the air. Shampoos contain harmful material, especially when considering all the other additives included in the ascent. When such chemicals interact with other neighboring airborne substances, it forms smog and haze, leading to more air pollution and accelerating climate change.
Hairspray: Aerosol sprays are a prioritized item when styling hair. However, it's another product that has a connection to climate change as it contains toxins that are harmful to the environment that remains in the air to be breathed in. Aerosols also restrict visibility, causing haze. Some toxic chemicals present in hair spray are denatured alcohol and carboxymethylcellulose, impacting physical well-being and your biggest organ, your skin.
Air fresheners: Although its presence may come in handy, its purpose is hypocritical when acknowledging how it impacts human health and the environment. They can release over 100 different chemicals that advance climate change. They rely on aerosols and have demonstrated an impact on pollution outside but inside the home by producing ground-level ozone, which is hazardous. However, major brands that advertise air fresheners include a chemical called naphthalene, which has proven to cause tissue deterioration and abnormal cell growth in rodent's lungs, according to laboratory research.
Disinfectant wipes: Although an essential product for cleaning, avoiding the transferring of germs, and reducing contamination, especially in today's time, disinfectant wipes also involve questionable chemicals. The chemicals in these wipe not only aid in eliminating harmful germs but kill them entirely. Since they have a substantial effect on living organisms, it can seem risky for sensitive individuals to utilize them. They contain quaternary ammonium compounds that are controversial and are linked to irritated health and reproductive harm. Although the EPA regulates the pesticides in these products, there are limited guarantees for safety. _____________________________________________________
It can almost seem impossible to avoid investing in some of these used products since they are standard parts of our routine. It's good not to underestimate this issue by degrading its impacts on the environment while also having physical detriments on human health. Air pollutants have an overwhelming grip on the fastened rate at which climate change is progressing. The first step in counteracting this is acknowledging what over-utilized products further contribute to environmental degradation.