Spring is here and most of us are starting our spring cleaning. Most people think they need the antibacterial harsh cleaners found in stores but did you know that the chemicals found in those cleaners that could potentially evoke a chemical sensitivity in your body?
Multiple chemical sensitivity (MCS) is a chronic medical condition with characterized symptoms that the affected person attributes to low-level chemical exposure. Commonly attributed substances include pesticides, plastics, synthetic fabrics, smoke, petroleum products, and paint fumes. Symptoms are often vague and non-specific, such as nausea, fatigue, dizziness, and headaches but also commonly include inflammation of skin, joints, gastrointestinal tract and airway.
The National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences defines MCS as a “chronic, recurring disease caused by a person’s inability to tolerate an environmental chemical or class of foreign chemicals.” (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Multiple_chemical_sensitivity)
Another condition that is believed to be associated with common chemical exposures and is similar to MCS is toxicant-induced loss of tolerance (TILT.) TILT is believed to have symptoms such as, headaches, fatigue, autoimmune disease, asthma, depression and food intolerance.
Natural cleaning solutions
- For an all purpose cleaner you can use a mixture of white vinegar, water and lemon juice. This mixture is great for counters, floors, tile and hard surfaces.
- Soft scrubs you can use baking soda, liquid soap, and an herb of choice like rosemary for a pleasant aroma. This cleaner is great for toilets, showers, and stoves.
- For the hard jobs you can mix baking soda and vinegar this is a more abrasive cleaner and is good for toilets, bath tubs and hard to clean surfaces.
Just a little food for thought from your Golden, CO dentist.