Table 1
Main chemical components of cleaning products
| Type of agent | Purpose | Examples | Potential health effects |
|---|---|---|---|
| *Ethylenediamine tetraacetic acid. | |||
| Detergents (surfactants) | Lower surface tension of water | Fatty acid salts (soap), organic sulphonates | Skin, eyes, and mucous membrane irritation |
| Complexing agents (water softeners) | Dissolve and bind calcium and other cations; regulate the pH | EDTA*, tripolyphosphates | Skin, eyes, and mucous membrane irritation |
| Alkaline agents | Dissolve fatty substances, disinfection, inhibit corrosion of metal surfaces | Silicates, carbonates, sodium hydroxide, ammonia | Skin, eyes, and mucous membrane irritation |
| Acids | Dissolve calcium | Phosphoric, acetic, citric, sulphamic, hydrochloric acid | Skin, eyes, and mucous membrane irritation |
| Solvents | Dissolve fatty substances | Alcohols, glycol ethers | Neurotoxic |
| Corrosion inhibitor | Protection of metal surfaces | Ethanol amines | Sensitisation |
| Film formers, polishes | Surface care | Wax, acryl polymers, polyethylene | Sensitisation |
| Disinfectants | Destroy bacteria and other micro-organisms | Hypochlorite, aldehydes, quaternary ammonium compounds | Sensitisation, mucous membrane irritation |
| Preservatives | Avoid microbial growth during product storage | Benzalkonium chloride, isothiazolinones, formaldehyde | Sensitisation |
| Perfumes, scents | Introduce pleasant smell | d-limonene, terpenes (pinene) | Sensitisation, irritation |
