Nearly every cleaning product in your home causes hundreds of toxic chemicals linked to cancer and infertility to linger in the air for up to four HOURS

Nearly every cleaning product releases hundreds of potentially toxic chemicals when used, a study suggests.

Researchers from the Environmental Working Group tested 30 common household products, such as glass cleaners, stain removers and air fresheners.

All but one released measurable levels of volatile compounds, or VOCs – tiny toxins linked to cancer, asthma and fertility problems – when inhaled.

Ten products released levels of chemicals so high they breached European safety standards, and the VOCs lingered in the air for up to four hours.

Even some “green” products – which claimed to be safer and more environmentally friendly – ​​released dangerous levels of VOCs.

The researchers said the The research was a ‘wake-up call’ for consumers, because people needed to ‘become more aware’ of the risks of cleaning products.

Four of the worst ten products were all-purpose cleaners. Five were a mixture of glass, floor and carpet cleaners and one was an air freshener.

Dr. Alexis Temkin, senior toxicologist at the EWG, said: ‘This study is a wake-up call for consumers, researchers and regulators to be more aware of the potential risks associated with the numerous chemicals that enter our indoor air.

‘Our findings highlight one way to reduce exposure to dangerous VOCs – by selecting products that are ‘green’, especially products that are ‘green’ and ‘fragrance-free.’

For the study, published in the journal ChemosphereScientists purchased the most popular cleaning products sold online at stores like Walmart, Amazon and Home Depot between December 2019 and May 2022.

Fourteen of the products claimed on the packaging that they were ‘green’, meaning less toxic and environmentally friendly.

They were all sprayed onto a glass plate in a sealed room and wiped off about a minute later to mimic how they are used at home.

For glass and disinfectant sprays, one full spray was applied, while stain removers and carpet cleaners were sprayed twice, and wipe and mop products were applied until the surface became visibly wet. Air fresheners were sprayed five times.

The air in the room was then tested for the presence of VOCs over the next four hours.

In total, all products together released 530 VOCs.

Of those, 193 were considered hazardous to human health according to California and European standards.

Dr. David Andrews, a senior scientist at the Environmental Working Group, told DailyMail.com: ‘There is no established safe exposure value or limit for VOCs, nor are there specific health-based regulations for VOC emissions from cleaning products.

‘Some VOCs are much more dangerous than others, but which VOC or VOC mixtures cause the most damage has not been determined.

‘Our results showed that approximately half of total VOC emissions came from chemicals for which there is no safe exposure level even in an industrial environment.’

He added: ‘In the absence of clear research identifying which chemicals cause harm to health, it is prudent to reduce overall exposure to VOCs.’

Conventional products emitted the most VOCs of all 30 products, with HDX Glass Cleaner, Scott’s Liquid Gold Wood Care and Lestoil Heavy Duty All-Purpose Cleaner being the worst offenders.

In contrast, green products emitted about half as many VOCs, but some still exceeded European benchmarks for potential health harm.

Those categorized as green and fragrance-free spent the lowest amount, or almost eight times less than conventional products and four times less than green products.

Just one product – Dr. Pure Castile Soap. Bronner, Unscented for Babies – Released no VOCs when used.

Three of the most harmful VOCs recorded among the products were 2-butoxyethanol, isopropanol and chloroform.

They are used to remove grease and oil, kill microorganisms and remove stains.

Chloroform was previously referred to as a “date-rape” drug due to its ability to render a person unconscious when inhaled or swallowed.

The VOCs can cause damage when inhaled over an extended period of time by irritating the lining of the lungs.

Previous studies have shown that 2-butoxyethanol can cause irritation to the eyes, ears and nose, leading to coughing, runny nose and headaches, while isopropanol is known to cause rashes, itching and dry skin.

Other ingredients used in cleaning products — such as phthalates, parabens and alkyl phenols — have previously been linked to breast cancer, says Breast Cancer Prevention Partners.

Research has previously shown that cleaners – who are regularly exposed to these products – are 50 percent more likely to develop asthma. Women in this area also have a higher risk of lung cancer.

Some research has also suggested that higher use of certain indoor cleaning products in homes with children may increase the risk of young people developing asthma.

The VOCs can also harm the environment and contribute to outdoor air pollution, scientists say.