Simple Green Washing

Simple Green (Washing)

Simple Green's Claimed Safety.....

                          Let's look at the Non-Toxic Claim First.


The Material Data Safety Sheet for Simple Green, which can be viewed by clicking the icon above, states that the formula contains up to 4% 2-Butoxyethanol by volume.

What is 2-Butoxyethanol??

2-Butoxyethanol is a petrochemical solvent, and gives the characteristic odor of products like Simple Green and Windex.

2-Butoxyethanol is defined as HARMFUL (XN) through the European Union classification system and has recently been recommended by Environment and Health Canada to be added to the Schedule 1 toxic substances list of the Canadian Environment Protection Act (CEPA). It is listed by the state of California as a hazardous substance and a "toxic air contaminant." 

The MSDS for 2-butoxyethanol indicates the following: 

  1) Its Domestic and International Proper Shipping Name is:  "TOXIC LIQUIDS, ORGANIC, N.O.S.   (2-BUTOXYETHANOL)."

  2) Exposure Controls/Personal Protection:

"Airborne Exposure Limits:
-OSHA Permissible Exposure Limit (PEL):
50 ppm skin
-ACGIH Threshold Limit Value (TLV):
20 ppm (TWA), A3 - Confirmed animal carcinogen with unknown relevance to human."

  3) Potential Health Effects:

Inhalation:
Causes irritation to the respiratory tract. Symptoms may include sore throat, coughing, headache, nausea and shortness of breath. High concentrations have a narcotic effect.

Ingestion:
Causes irritation to the gastrointestinal tract. Symptoms may include nausea, vomiting and diarrhea. Toxic! May cause systemic poisoning with symptoms paralleling those of inhalation.
Skin Contact:
May cause irritation with redness and pain. May be absorbed through the skin with possible systemic effects.
Eye Contact:
Vapors are irritating and may produce immediate pain, redness and tearing. Splashes can cause severe pain, stinging, swelling.
Chronic Exposure:
Prolonged or repeated exposures can cause damage to the liver, kidneys, lymphoid system, blood and blood-forming organs.
Aggravation of Pre-existing Conditions:
Persons with pre-existing skin disorders, eye problems, impaired liver, kidney, blood, respiratory or lymphoid system function may be more susceptible to the effects of the substance.

Have we had enough? Do we need any more evidence that Simple Green's active ingredient - and therefore Simple Green itself - is toxic? 

ADDITIONAL EVIDENCE OF TOXICITY:

"The use of some common household cleaning products containing 2-butoxyethanol could expose people to levels 12 times greater than California's one-hour guideline, especially when indoor use is considered."  View Article

View the Material Data Safety Sheet  for 2-Butoxyethanol here.

View the Greenmedinfo.com page on 2-Butoxyethanol here

 

ADDING INJURIOUS CHEMICALS TO INSULT!

Corexit 9527- now do your remember where you first heard about 2-butoxyethanol? 

 

The active and so-called "non-toxic" ingredient in Simple Green was the very reason why the 9527 Corexit dispersant formula was eventually forbidden by the EPA to be used for the disaster cleanup efforts. It was the absence of the highly toxic and controversial 2-butoxyethanol in the 9500 Corexit formula that made it a "safer" alternative. It is believed that 2-butoxyethanol contributed to the significantly shorter lifespan of Exxon Valdez clean-up workers and is why Corexit 9527 was banned in the United Kingdom.

 

Would you belive Simple Green is actually marketing their 2-butoxyethanol-containing products as safe clean-up solutions in the aftermath of the Gulf Oil Disaster?

 

 

Read what they have to say on this here

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