Poll Reveals Concern, Misconceptions on Toxic Cleaning Products

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In order to asses the level of consumer awareness about the potential dangers of toxic home cleaning products (and no doubt to support their own product development and marketing efforts), the pioneering natural products company Shaklee Corp commissioned a Harris Interactive poll.

Harris called 1,108 moms across the U.S. with children under the age of 18 living at home. The results are interesting:

• 95% of moms agreed that household cleaning products can be made of toxic ingredients
• 61% agreed that the fumes from cleaning products bothered them
• 81% of the respondents agreed that household cleaning products may trigger asthma in children and adults
• Despite this, 70% claimed they thought home cleaning products are safe to use around their own family anyway
• Only 49% said they were worried that their own children may be exposed to household toxins when products are used as directed
• Only 38% agreed with the EPA's scientifically supported claim that indoor air tends to be more toxic than outdoor air
• Even so, 94% of moms said they would stop using their favorite cleaning product if they found out it may be harmful to their families' health

These results show that parents are definitely concerned about the possible negative effects of chemicals they use in the home, yet they are still not educated enough about the dangers of indoor air quality in general. Further, the lack of clear association between using common toxic chemicals and any possible adverse effects goes to show why the natural products industry has had uphill growth in recent decades.

Major consumer brands that have been heavily advertised for years, and those which grew out of the shiny postwar era have deeply embedded themselves in the American psyche. These days, more parents are choosing to play it safe around the house, and look for more natural green cleaning alternatives, but more education is needed.

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