After dinner, his son Xiaogang was helping to clean the table in the kitchen when he accidentally caught a glimpse of the familiar bottle of dish soap in the corner - a low-priced, poorly packaged product on the market.
Xiao Gang's heart tightened, remembering the discussion about the safety of dish soap that he had seen on the Internet recently, so he put down the dishes in his hand and walked straight to his mother.
Mom, did you know? I recently came across an article that said that some dish soaps still have residues even after rinsing 12 times, and they may also contain carcinogens. You see the one you are using now, I checked it on the Internet, and it seems that the reputation is not good.
Aunt Li was puzzled when she heard this, and said in disbelief: "Can dish soap still cause cancer?" I have used it for decades, and I haven't seen any problems. Besides, this bottle of dish soap is quite clean and cheap, isn't it a waste of money to change to something else?'
Xiao Gang saw that his mother was shaken but skeptical, and patiently explained: "Mom, I'm not saying that all dish soaps are problematic, but I just remind you to pay attention to your choice. After all, we can't do without these tableware for dinner every day, in case we use bad dish soap, it will definitely have an impact on the body in the long run.
01. Dish soap is not only toxic, but also carcinogenic
Formaldehyde shadow: The focus of the association between dish soap and "carcinogenicity" stems from the excessive formaldehyde content of some products exposed by the media in the past few years. Formaldehyde, as a powerful preservative, was indeed widely used in early dish soap formulations to extend the shelf life of the product.
Long-term exposure to high concentrations of formaldehyde has been shown to be a potential threat to human health, especially as it may increase the risk of cancer. The World Health Organization's International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) has classified formaldehyde as a Class I carcinogen.
Although the formaldehyde content of qualified detergents produced by regular manufacturers will be strictly controlled within the safety limit, consumers still need to be wary of substandard products when purchasing. When purchasing, you should choose a brand with a good reputation, clear labeling, and in line with national standards, and avoid using products from unknown sources or excessive formaldehyde.
Enemy of the skin: The surfactants, thickeners and other chemical ingredients in dish soap are irritating to the skin. Long-term frequent contact may lead to dry and peeling skin on the hands, and even trigger allergic reactions such as erythema, itching, etc.
Foam: The rich foam produced by dish soap during the cleaning process, if inhaled in a large amount in a closed or poorly ventilated environment, may irritate the respiratory tract and cause symptoms such as coughing and wheezing, especially for asthma patients or people with allergies.
02. Be careful with these 3 types of dish soaps
Aromatic dish soap:
Chemical contaminants: About one-third of people experience headaches, dizziness, nausea and other uncomfortable symptoms after exposure to fragrance-containing products, which may be related to the chemical contaminants contained in the products.
Some scented dish soaps may be enriched with synthetic fragrances or other chemicals that may release volatile organic compounds (VOCs) that can irritate the respiratory tract and nervous system.
Allergens: For sensitive people, strong scents can be triggers for an allergic reaction. Certain fragrance ingredients can trigger allergic symptoms such as skin redness, itching, and even respiratory problems such as asthma.
Bulk dish soap:
Poor hygiene indicators: Due to the simple packaging, bulk dish soap is susceptible to contamination during production, transportation and sales, which may lead to the total number of colonies and pH value exceeding the standard range. The use of such dish soap not only does not effectively clean the dishes, but may introduce additional microbial contamination.
Unclear ingredients and uncontrollable quality: Bulk detergents often lack clear product labeling and production information, and consumers have no way to know their specific ingredients and whether they comply with relevant national regulations. The bulk products produced by some small workshops may have problems such as excessive formaldehyde and illegal addition, which seriously threatens the health of users.
Ailment Dish Detergent:
Expired or spoiled: Layering, cloudiness may indicate a compromise in the detergent's stable system, which may be due to expired products, improper storage, or poor formulation design. The use of this type of dish soap not only greatly reduces the cleaning effect, but also may come into contact with spoilage products, posing a threat to skin and health.
Additive precipitation: If there is significant precipitation in the dish soap, it may be that certain additives such as thickeners, pigments, etc. have not dissolved well or have been separated during storage. These extractables may affect the performance of dish soap and may cause skin irritation in direct contact.
03. Recommendations for the scientific use of dish soap
Choose high-quality products: When buying dish soap, give priority to well-known brands to ensure that the products meet the relevant national standards and contain no or only trace amounts of formaldehyde within the safe range.
Rinse thoroughly: Make sure to rinse thoroughly when washing dishes to remove any residual dish soap, especially when serving food and children's tableware.
Personal protection: Wear gloves when using dish soap to avoid direct contact with the skin, and maintain good ventilation during the washing process to reduce the chance of inhaling foam.
Change brands regularly: Long-term use of the same brand of dish soap may lead to a decrease in your skin's tolerance to certain ingredients, so rotating between different brands or types of products can help reduce the risk of potential allergies.
Dish soap, a seemingly ordinary kitchen companion, is actually responsible for the health of the whole family's diet. While enjoying its convenient and efficient decontamination ability, we also need to maintain a clear understanding of the potential risks, screen products with a wise eye, and use dish soap with scientific methods, so that every cleaning becomes a positive action to protect the safety of the table and the health of the family.