A cleaning fluid spill on an airplane recently caused an American Airlines flight from London to Philadelphia to divert to Dublin, after several passengers experienced extreme reactions. According to an Airport Webcams tweet about the incident, two crew members on the flight were temporarily unconscious as a result of the spill. Several passengers also experienced adverse reactions, including burning eyes and itchy skin.
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According to air traffic control audio, the pilot was told the substance was an interior cleaner that included derivatives of ammonium chloride, but it was not toxic. The product spilled and seeped into the carpet after being left behind in one of the plane’s lavatories.
Before modern soap products were sold in the mid-1900s, most people used water and white vinegar for their household cleaning needs. Over the past 50 years, the number of soaps, detergents and cleaning solutions have grown at an amazing rate as manufacturers try to meet the demands of consumers looking for a quick, fragrant solution to a dirty problem.
However, research has shown those who use chemical household cleaners as seldom as once a week experience an accelerated decline in lung function. Once-weekly use of cleaning products for 20 years may be equivalent to smoking 20 cigarettes a day for 10 to 20 years.
That’s not the only problem with toxic cleaners. Long-term exposure to household cleaners and disinfectants has been linked to increases in asthmatic symptoms, nervous system damage, low sperm count, irregularities in menstruation and even miscarriage.
The good news is, you don’t need to buy chemical cleaners to keep your home spick-and-span. Staple non-toxic cleaners include baking soda, white vinegar, lemons, castile soap, coconut oil, essential oils, hydrogen peroxide and rubbing alcohol. To take control of your health and make the switch, learn how to use these products to clean your home by clicking here.