Unfortunately, the commonly held assumption that legally marketed household cleaners are safe to human health and neurological function is unwarranted. Legal standards for preventing harm from toxic cleaners are inadequate for several reasons: only a small fraction of hazardous chemicals are tested; federal regulations require only a small proportion of chemicals to be reported on labels; and guidelines about safe use of cleaning products are notoriously inaccurate and difficult to understand.
In the face of steadily increasing rates of developmental disabilities, cancer and auto-immune systems dysfunction, the public has a right to know about the toxic chemicals they are exposed to. We need better labeling, clearer Material Standard Data Sheets (MSDS, the primary index of toxicity of cleaners), and more research investigating links between human disease and toxic chemicals. Psychologists concerned about mental health should push for legislation using the Precautionary Principle, which outlaws the manufacturing and marketing of chemicals before they are proven safe. Such legislation is being addressed by the European Union.
Additional Resources:
Green Seal: The Mark of Environmental Responsibility