If you are reading this, then chances are you are at least considering making a change to a greener lifestyle, if you haven't already. You've probably read or heard something that suggests that some, if not many, of the products in your home (or at least in the average American home) may be hazardous to your family's health. That's the point I was at a few years back, when I started seriously reconsidering the kinds of chemicals by which I was surrounded in my own home.

We've been hearing a lot about product safety in the news lately. Most recently, some lipsticks were found to contain lead, particularly disturbing since at least some of the applied lipstick eventually gets ingested. A popular antibacterial ingredient, Triclosan, has been recently found to react with chlorine in tap water to produce, among other things, chloroform, an extremely toxic substance. In addition, the legitimacy of using antibacterial agents (outside of hospital environments) has come into question, as the death toll from drug-resistant staff infections topped an annual 19,000 this past year (which, by the way, is more than the number of annual deaths due to AIDS/HIV). These "super-germs" are becoming resistant to drugs due to the overuse of antibiotics- and that includes antibacterial soaps! But even more shocking is the list of other products that contain Triclosan (toothpaste, cutting boards, even certain brands of socks and deodorants!). Read all about it in "Problems with Triclosan".

If we were to create a list of all of the potentially harmful synthetic chemicals found in everyday cleaners and toiletries, we would have hundreds of entries. These chemicals include neurotoxins, carcinogens, allergens, central nervous system depressants, heavy metals, and other agents that cause or contribute to a wide range of health concerns, including cancer, respiratory problems, reproductive abnormalities, allergic reactions, and behavioral problems, among other issues. Check out Seventh Generation's helpful Glossary of Household Hazards for descriptions of some of the most common household culprits.

As I started slowly switching to natural alternatives for my household products, I realized many things:

1. Natural cleaners are often concentrated solutions, and so even though they appear more expensive, the product actually lasts longer, provided economical savings in the long run.

2. The fragrances used in many household cleaners are now quite irritating to me, as I have become used to gentler, more natural fragances.

3. The natural cleaners have been consistently effective in meeting my everyday cleaning needs.

4. Finally, I am left wondering why we have, as a society, become accustomed to using toxic chemicals, when there are so many natural solutions to cleaning problems that have been used effectively for centuries. For example, tea tree oil has natural antibacterial properties, as does honey and garlic, but does not pose a health risk due to over-use. Baking soda and vinegar are natural fabric softeners, hydrogen peroxide has whitening and disinfecting properties, and citric acid (lemon and grapefruit) naturally cut grease.

There is much controversey as to exactly how harmful a chemical is. It is very difficult to link a substance to cancer, except in large doses. The rumors that SLS and SLES, found in many shampoos, toothpastes, and soaps, cause cancer is being strongly denied by the American Cancer Society, even though it is a known irritant. (Read about it in Debunking the Myth.) Other chemicals appear more hazardous, but again, without conclusive evidence. My conclusion is that if there is a natural substance that is known to be safe, gentle and effective, why risk the potential hazards of a synthetic substitute? Why do companies even use synthetic substances instead of safer, gentler natural ones?

Ultimately we are an economy driven by profit. Once a manufacturer finds a way to mass-produce a synthetic substance, it is often far cheaper to use that than a pure, naturally-extracted alternative. It is interesting that people often wonder why natural products are more expensive. The answer lies in the same reason that fast-food companies use fillers in their meat products, why 100% juice is more expensive than juices that are merely high fructose corn sweetener and water, or why artifical vanilla is cheaper than 100% pure vanilla. More often than not, you get what you pay for when it comes to quality.

Each of must decide for ourselves what our health is worth, and how much of a threat to our health these synthetic chemical cleaners present. I have decided to be safe, and to make choices I can feel good about, knowing I am not contaminating my home, my natural environment, and our waterways with toxic substances that could have been avoided. I feel good knowing that our clothes do not contain the residues of bleach, optical brighteners, phosphates, and other harsh chemicals rubbing against our skin. I feel safe knowing that when my pets walk on my floors, or my cat jumps in the sink, or my husband sets his sandwich on the counter, they are not coming into contact with harsh chemicals that will stick to their hands, paws, and food. And I feel responsible making these choices, because they are not just for me and my family, but for our world, and our children's world.