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What Are the Hazards of Using Detergent?

Detergent is everywhere in the home and office environment. It's used to wash clothes and dishes on an almost daily basis, and many people think of it a harmless cleaning agent. However, detergent can become a toxic element if used improperly or if put in contact with sensitive body parts such as irritated skin and eyes. Properly use and monitor detergents to protect both yourself and the environment.

  1. Contact

    • Detergents can be toxic and, after repeated exposures, can build up skin irritations and allergies, according to Medscape Today. This can occur even with diluted solutions used for laundry and washing. Constant contact with consumer detergents, especially for people with highly sensitive skin conditions, heightens the likelihood of rashes, redness, and persistent itching. In more severe cases, clothes that are washed with detergent and then worn by a person with a skin allergy can also provoke a reaction unless the laundry is rinsed free of all traces of that detergent. Other symptoms include dry skin patches, peeling skin, and inflammation.

    Ingestion

    • Common household detergents are highly corrosive chemical compounds and can be fatal if swallowed, according to the US National Library of Medicine. Holistic Health Magazine reports that approximately 70 percent of all household poisonings occur with children between one and five years old, and almost all of these are from household cleaning agents such as detergent. The Poison Control Institute states that dishwashing detergent is responsible for more accidental poisonings than any other substance. If swallowed, detergents can cause severe burning along the throat and inflammation of the tongue and lips. If you suspect a child has been exposed to detergent in a harmful manner, contact your local Poison Center (see Resource 1).

    Environmental

    • A common chemical element of detergents is phosphates, which heightens the cleaning power of the detergent. According to Green Home Living Magazine, phosphates act as fertilizers and promote the unhealthy growth of algae in the environment. This increases river and lake pollution and increases decontamination costs for wastewater treatment plants. Some states, such as Washington, Virginia, and Texas, ban phosphates from all household laundry detergents, according to a study run by the US Geological Survey department. There are phosphate-free detergents, but in certain brands, such as most major dishwasher detergents, there are no enforced restrictions on the use of phosphates.

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