Secret Chemicals Revealed in Household Cleaners [AUDIO]

A new report reveals that some of the top-selling cleaning products contain hidden toxic chemicals. The report by Women’s Voices for the Earth (WVE), based in Missoula, looked at 20 common household cleaning products manufactured by five different companies. Director of Science and Research Alexandra Scranton says consumers deserve to know what chemicals they’re being exposed to, so they can avoid products that may cause allergic reactions or serious long-term health problems like cancer, birth defects or pregnancy complications.

Some of the products tested in the report include Tide Free & Gentle detergent, which is marketed to people with sensitive skin, but was found to contain a probable human carcinogen. Also Simple Green Naturals was found to contain phthalates, a chemical associated with reproductive disorders and birth defects. And allergens were found in several products marketed as “fragrance-free.” Some manufacturers have maintained the ingredients in their products are proprietary.

Scranton says the report is designed to support the Cleaning Product Right-to-Know Act, that's recently been introduced in Congress.