For those of us who are headache sufferers (especially those of us with migraines), the chemicals contained in many cleaning products can serve as a headache trigger. These compounds can cause headaches by direct chemical irritation to the trigeminal nerve receptors in the nasal lining. Migraine sufferers are particularly sensitive to any trigeminal stimulation.
- Fragrance
- Solvents (alcohols, propylene glycol, glycol ethers, many others)
- Irritants (like kerosene or formaldehyde)
These chemicals enter the air as volatile organic compounds (VOCs). To avoid headache, minimize your exposure. If you suspect a particular cleaning product is a headache trigger for you, first be certain you are using it in a well-ventilated area if at all possible. Heat increases the volatility of VOCs, so using cleaning products in the cooler portions of the day will decrease your exposure.
Many cleaning products are now available in non-fragranced versions. You might think that this would reduce your VOC exposure, but this is not necessarily the case. Sometimes, a masking fragrance is used in products labeled “fragrance-free” or “unscented” to cover up the scent of a solvent or other VOC in the product.
In addition to using fragrance to hide a solvent odor, manufacturers also indicate a consumer preference for fragrance over cleaning ability in product market testing. Consumer tests, however, rarely offer real life conditions or ask complex conditions. If consumers were asked if they wanted fragrance that caused a headache, ended up in wastewater and accumulated in fish, it’s more likely they would select the product with cleaning ability, and less irritation and toxicity potential.
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