Reference list

      Rodney Ronquillo. (March 25, 2007). Home Toxicity-Pros and Cons of using vinegar as a  natural cleaner.  September 29, 2012, http://ezinearticles.com/?Home-Toxicity---Pros-and-Cons-of-Using-Vinegar-As-a-Natural-Cleaner&id=637987.

     (September 10, 2005). Material Safety Data Sheet Sodium   hydroxide MSDS.  September 29, 2012, http://www.cen.iitb.ac.in/cen/new%20msds/sodium%20hydroxidemsds.php.pdf.

      (February 27, 2007) Acetic acid (ethanoic acid): Overview. September 29, 2012, http://www.npi.gov.au/substances/acetic-acid/health.html.

     Maria Rodale. (2009) This or That: Bleach vs. Vinegar to Kill Germs. September 29, 2012,http://www.rodale.com/natural-disinfectant.

     (September 10, 2005) Material Safety Data Sheet Acetic acid MSDS. September 29, 2012,http://www.sciencelab.com/msds.php?msdsId=9922769    

     (December 29, 2008).  Guideline for Disinfection and Sterilization in Healthcare Facilities, 2008. September 29, 2012, http://www.cdc.gov/hicpac/disinfection_sterilization/6_0disinfection.html.

 

RECOMMENDATION

	Bleach	Vinegar
Risk	·         strong base ·         can corrode and irritant skin and eyes ·         can cause corneal damage ·         Over exposure may lead to lung damage, choking unconsciousness or even death ·         mutagenic effects on mammalian somatic cells ·         Wilson risk scale it is a 3 ·         production releases cancer causing dioxin and brain damaging mercury into the air ·         can react violently ·         toxic to fish	·         corrosive to eyes and skin ·         mutagenic effects to mammalian somatic cells and bacteria or yeast ·         repeated exposure it can be toxic to kidneys, mucous membranes, skin and teeth ·         strong pungent smell that can harm airways
Benefit	·         kills 99.9% of viruses and bacteria, and removes 90% of allergens on hard surfaces ·         been tested and proven by the EPA	·         kill 99% of bacteria, 82% of molds and 80% of germs ·         less of a health risk of bleach ·         less reactive than bleach ·         less harmful to environment ·         degrades quickly into harmless substance ·         inexpensive ·         odorless when dry

 

I recommend using vinegar as a household cleaner.  It is a natural, safer, effective alternative to household bleach.  It is an effective household cleaner that is able to kill 99% of bacteria, 82% of molds and 80% of germs.  It is also much safer than household bleach.  On the Wilson risk scale a 5% solution acetic acid, the active ingredient of vinegar, is a 0 out of 4, while the active ingredient of bleach sodium hypochlorite is a 3 out of 4.  it is also much less harmful to our airways and is odorless when it dries.  In addition, it is much less reactive than sodium hypochlorite.  On the Wilson risk scale sodium hypochlorite is a 2, while acetic acid is a 0 out of 4.  It is much less likely for vinegar to react unwontedly to another chemical that you use in your home.  Environmentally, vinegar is much safer.  It degrades quickly in the environment into a harmless substance, that poses no risk to wildlife or the ecosystem. Vinegar is a safer, more environmentally friendly product that is effective as a household cleaner.

EFFECTIVNESS OF VINEGAR

Vinegar is an effective household cleaner.  It can kill 99% of bacteria, 82% of mold and 80% of germs or viruses. It contains antimicrobial properties that make it able to stop E coli growth.  In addition, is can eliminate foul odors in the home, fight hard water stains and remove alkaline deposits. It is an effective all purpose household cleaner for killing bacteria, mold and germs.

ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT OF HOUSEHOLD VINEGAR

Acetic acid is a stable compound, that does not usually react with other chemicals in the environment.  On the Wilson risk scale it is a 0 for reactivity.  If it does get into the environment, either  as a vapour our as a solution in water, it degrades quickly into a harmless substances to the environment.  Only in high concentration van it be harmful to plants, animals or aquatic life.  The amount found in the environment is not high enough to cause damage to living things. The odour given off into the air fades quickly and does not reduce air quality for a long period of time. Once it is dry it is odourless.  Vinegar has a relatively low impact on the environment, as it degrades quickly and is usually not in high enough concentrations to harm wildlife.

HEALTH EFFECTS OF VINEGAR

The active ingredient in vinegar, acetic acid has health risks associated with it.  In a 5% solution, it is a 3 on the pH scale.  It can be corrosive if it comes in contact with our skin or eyes, and is hazardous if it is ingested or inhaled. Moreover, it has mutagenic effects to mammalian somatic cells and bacteria or yeast.  Also, with repeated exposure it can be toxic to kidneys, mucous membranes, skin and teeth.  It can also damage organs with repeated over ingestion.  On the Wilson risk scale it is a 3 for health risks, but in a 5% solution, like in household vinegar it is only a 2 for health risks. It also has a strong pungent smell that can harm airways, however when it dries it becomes odorless.  The recommended exposure limit is 8 hours if 25mg/mᶟ of air is present and 15 minutes if 37 mg/mᶟ of air is present.  Caution should be exercised as vinegar does have potentially dangerous health risks.

EFFECTIVNESS OF BLEACH

Bleach is an effective disinfectant and germ killer. It kills 99.9% of viruses and bacteria, and removes 90% of allergens on hard surfaces.  It has also been tested and proven by the EPA, the  US  Environmental Protection Agency, to kill microorganisms such as E coli. In addition,  it is effective at killing mold and bacteria.  On hard surfaces, it can kill the surface mold, but on porous surfaces, like a rug or carpet,  it is much less effective. This is because, its ionic structure does not allow it to penetrate the porous surface to kill the mold.  Also, it is not proven to prevent further mold from forming in the future; and is not registered with the EPA to kill mold.  Still, household bleach does a good job of cleaning hard surface in your home.

ENVIRONEMENTAL IMPACT OF HOUSEHOLD BLEACH

The active ingredient in bleach, sodium hypochlorite can react violently with metals and is somewhat reactive with oxidizing agents, reducing agents, acids, alkalis, and moisture.  It is a 2 on the Wilson risk scale for reactivity.  It can also react with some organic chemicals found in the environment, to produce volatile organic compounds, VOC's. VOC's reduce air quality and are harmful to living things in high concentrations.  It production also effects the air quality as, dioxins and mercury are released into the air.  Also, if bleach is released into rivers or other water ways, it has the potential to harm fish and other marine life.  Bleach is extremely toxic to fish, even in small amounts.  However, it does break down when exposed to sewage and does get removed by water treatment systems.  But, bleach that goes down storm drains usually does not get treated, it usually goes directly into water systems. Household bleach poses a danger to the environment, it can create VOC's,  harm marine life, and release dioxin into the air.

HEALTH EFFECTS OF HOUSEHOLD BLEACH

Sodium hypochlorite can be hazardous to our health.  On the pH scale it is an 11 in a common 5% concentration solution, making it a strong base.  If it comes in contacts with our skin or our eyes it can corrode and irritant, along with causing corneal damage to our eyes.  Over exposure may lead to lung damage, choking unconsciousness or even death if inhaled over a long period of time.  It can have mutagenic effects on mammalian somatic cells. In addition, it is toxic to mucous membranes, our upper respiratory tract, skin and eyes.  It may also cause organ damage.  Children are especially at risk to its toxicity, in 2007 14 400 American children were poisoned by household bleach. On the Wilson risk scale it is a 3 out of a possible 4 for health risk.  Finally, its production releases cancer causing dioxin and brain damaging mercury into the air. Caution should be exercised as bleach does have potentially dangerous health risks.

ACTIVE INGREDIENT OF VINEGAR

The active ingredient in household vinegar is acetic acid.  The chemical formula of acetic acid is CH₃COOH.  It is a molecular compound, with an average concentration of 5% in house hold vinegar.

ACTIVE INGREDIENT OF BLEACH

The active ingredient in household bleach is sodium hypochlorite.  Is chemical formula is NaClO, and it is an ionic compound.  The average concentration of sodium hypochlorite in  household bleach is 5%.

Home Clean Home Introduction

Home clean home

Household bleach is one of the most widely used cleaning products Canadians use in their homes.  However, some choose a more natural alternative to bleach, household vinegar. Is vinegar an effective cleaner that is also more environmentally friendly; or is bleach much more effective as a household cleaner?