The Toilet-Oh fun!

Yeah, I bet most of us really don't like this job in particular. What I have found is that it is not as gross as we think it is when armed with a few things I will share.

Also, it is rumored that all the urine that spills is from the males. This is not true. Urine that would be anywhere a standing person could get it to, is probably the males, but the spots under the front of the lid are from the females most of the time.

In a sense, we can see why the old toilet seat left up, or men peeing with the seat down can be a source of contention. Men really don't want to grab a seat with urine on it. And women do not enjoy stumbling to the commode in mid night to sit down and fall in because the seat was left up.

Those solutions definitely have to be worked out amongst the community sharing the commode. Keeping the toilet clean will also help.
It really is not as difficult as it seems.
Once a week at least I clean my toilet well. Top to bottom, around the back and where the floor and toilet meet. Then when company comes, it is simple to freshen the entire bathroom quickly, even the toilet. A few drops of essential oil on a piece of toilet paper in a pinch can disinfect the toilet quickly and prepare the bathroom for guests if that is all you have time for. If you know the area has been cleaned that week, it should not be too nasty and a quick sprucing takes only a few moments.

So lets take a look at some products on the market for toilets and see how it fares for our health, hygiene, and our environment.

Lets start with a 'Natural" product called Mrs. Meyers Clean Day.
I must be honest that this is a fun line of products. I actually have tried some of these products and enjoyed them years ago.
In Mrs. Meyers Toilet Cleaner it is stated:
PRODUCT INGREDIENTS ARE AT LEAST 98% NATURALLY DERIVED.

INGREDIENTS: Water, Lactic Acid, Citric Acid, Alcohol Ethoxylate, Ocimum Basilicum (Basil) Oil, Carum Petroselinum (Parsley) Seed Oil, Piper Nigrum (Black Pepper) Seed Oil, Fragrance*, Xanthan Gum, Blue 1

Lactic Acid is probably used here to dissolve mineral deposits. It is known to be a good cleaner especially removing soap scum. It is reputed to be antibacterial. This is the substance in our bodies that was once thought to cause muscle soreness after exercising. We would hear about buildup of lactate or lactic acid in our muscles as the culprit.It seems this has been proven false according to most recent studies and now thought to be more of a metabolic energy source.

Citric Acid-an acid most commonly obtains from citrus like lemons and limes. In cleaning, this agent helps to soften the water. Also, straight citric acid is known to remove mineral deposits and can dissolve rust from steel. In its straight form, it may cause irritation to the skin or eyes.

Alcohol Ethoxylate is used as a surfactant and seems to cause little issue with humans, however it has been noted to be a moderate toxic to fish and aquatic life. Proctor and Gamble however states that it is a low toxin to aquatic life and that when treated in the water programs, over 99% is removed.

Basil, parsley and black pepper are essential oils. I suppose this blend of oils is best for cleaning, while feeling a clear head. Black pepper can be stimulating and remember how some restaurants add parsley as a side? This is because it helps remove odors on the breath.

A surfactant is a surface acting agent. This substance creates the ability to clean dirt from textiles, skin, and surfaces. It sometimes makes a wet substance wetter.
If you have ever made a salad dressing or marinade that contains both oil and liquid, after shaking well, it will eventually separate.
Also, when draining your dishwater from handwashing, you may have noticed the greasy mess floating on top of the bubbles or onto the side of your sink. This is because of the surfactant. It's molecules are hydroliphic which loves water and attaches to it, and also hydrophobic which dislikes water and so attaches to the grease.We have the same thing going on inside out body too, although these surfactants in this cleaner may be created from natural ingredients such as tallow,many and probably most cleaning surfactants are petrochemicals made in the lab.

FRAGRANCE....is this a secret ingredient again? I have a feeling I may be saying this alot through the series.

Xanthan Gum- Made by fermenting a sugar with Xanthomonas campestris bacterium.
This is used in food products, as you may recognize the name. This is probably in this formula to thicken it a bit.

Blue 1 is derived from coal tar. Blue # 1 has had some anti inflammatory effects on rats. Rats receiving the dye by after a spinal injury happened to recover more rapidly.
Some advocate groups believe blue dye # 1 caused health problems such as hyperactivity. However, studies state this is not true.

How about Lysol Toilet Bowl Cleaner. It seems to be very popular so we will check this one out.
The claims are:
Disinfects the toilet bowl as it cleans
Dissolves tough rust stains and mineral deposits on contact
Kills germs such as Salmonella and Escherichia coli
Will not harm plumbing or septic systems
The lysol website did not have any ingredients that I could find so I went searching the MSDS for the product and this is what I came up with.


Hydrochloric Acid
Alkyl (C12-C18) dimethyl benzyl ammonium chloride
Unspecified Inert Ingredients

I reference the MSDS which means Material Safety Data Sheet.This identifies health hazards, chemical hazards and exposure precautions. Even essential oils have MSDS data.


The MSDS states very serious effects from the ingredients in this product.
For example, if a person has a heart condition, asthma, emphysema, or some lung diseases, this product should not be used by them or around them.
It can irritate skin and eyes. For eye contact it says, rinse eyes for 15 minutes then get immediate medical attention. WOW. If ingested, drink water and get immediate medical attention. It is also recommended that the product should be used in a well ventilated area. How many bathrooms are well ventilated? They are usually small spaces and many do not even have windows. Is this something people should be using often?

Hydrochloric acid, a combination of hydrogen and chloride, is the stuff in our stomach that digests our food and proteins. We can surely thank this natural occuring substance for helping out body break down that steak we had the other night:)
In cleaning products, however, it is chemically produced to take away rust.

This chemical is found in many plastics such as PVS and polyurethane.It has also been used int he production of strong narcotics such as heroine, meth and cocaine.
There is a food grade which is part of processing certain foods like aspatame and gelatin.
This is a highly acidic chemical which the EPA lists as a toxic chemical.
Straight Hydrochloric acid has this toxicology on the MSDS:
The substance may be toxic to kidneys, liver, mucous membranes, upper respiratory tract, skin, eyes, Circulatory
System, teeth.
Repeated or prolonged exposure to the substance can produce target organs damage. Repeated or prolonged
contact with spray mist may produce chronic eye irritation and severe skin irritation. Repeated or prolonged
exposure to spray mist may produce respiratory tract irritation leading to frequent attacks of bronchial infection.
Repeated exposure to a highly toxic material may produce general deterioration of health by an accumulation in
one or many human organs.

Alkyl (C12-C18) dimethyl benzyl ammonium chloride is a sanitizer I had difficulty in finding an MSDS for it. Everything seemed to come back up lysol or another cleaner with the same warnings as stated above, pretty much.

Lysol became popular around the time of spanish influenza(the 1918 flu that has been discussed much this past year as H1N1 is so much like this previous epidemic) because it is a disinfectant.

Of extreme interest, Wiki states that lysol use to be used as BIRTH CONTROL!For 30 years(pre1930-1960) common practice was for a woman to douch with a lysol solution after relations, it could prevent pregnancy. It was also touted to preserve marital bliss by keeping odor and bacteria at bay. Of course, the medical community then deemed it inappropriate because it was killing the beneficial bacteria. I am sure they were seeing many candida cases at that point.

Also, it is said on Wiki that alcoholics often drank lysol to catch a buzz. Oddly, 2 different poets, on separate occassions, used lysol to commit suicide.


So what chemcicals are usually in many toilet cleaners?

Lets break it down to disinfectants, first.

Butyl cellosolve- Here is info from The Good Human

A colorless liquid with a sweet, ether-like odour and is manufactured by the Eastman Kodak company. But why should you look out for it?

It is also known as butyl glycol, Dowanol, Bane-Clene and ethylene glycol monobutyl ether (EGBE), which has made it on to the list of California’s toxic air substances, and some animal studies indicate that it produces reproductive problems, such as testicular damage, reduced fertility, death of embryos and birth defects. In humans, it can irritate mucous membranes and cause liver and kidney damage. Butyl cellosolve is also a neurotoxin that can depress the nervous system and cause a variety of associated problems.

Sodium Hypochloride- which purifies water and surfaces, removes odors, bleaches and disinfects.
When sodium hypochloride is contained in an aerosol, it can be breathed in and cause sore throat or coughing.
It can irritate eyes and if ingested it can cause burning, stomach ache, diarrhea, coughing, sore throat, and vomiting. This chemical is toxic to water organisms.

Sodium Sulfite or Nitrite- About one third of the world's sodium sulfate is produced as by-product of other processes in chemical industry.
The MSDS on this states the chronic effects on humans can be possible based on these studies.
May cause adverse reproductive effects (fetotoxicity) based on animal studies. Human human data found
May cause cancer (tumorigenic) based on animal studies. No human data found.
Placental absorption of sulfate ion has been characterized. Sulfate ion levels at term are somewhat higher in fetal than in maternal blood.
The ecological effects seem to be safer than many other chemicals.

Sodium Nitrite-A strong oxidizer and moderate poison. It is a respiratory irritant and can cause systematic poisoning.
If this chemical is ingested, it can cause irritation of mouth, esophagus and stomach. If too much is taken, it can cause with the blood and blood vessels.
The MSDS also states: the signs and symptoms of nitrite poisoning include intense cyanosis, nausea, dizziness, vomiting, collapse, spasms of abdominal pain, rapid heart beat, irregular breathing, coma, convulsions, and death due to circulatory collapse. Estimated lethal dose 1 to 2 grams.
It also can be absorbed through the skin and cause systemic poisoning.
And of course, this is an environmental hazard.
Remember that the MSDS is the data on the straight chemical itself. However, knowing these risks from the chemicals can give us understanding of what the consequences of using them can be.

Chemicals in toilet cleaners will be our next focus.
Toilet cleaners may contain the following chemicals:

O-Dichlorobenzene is extremely harmful to the environment and humans. The environmental hazards can create damage for a very long time.
O-Dichlorobenzene is used as an insecticide, solvent, and can be found in many industrial products.
One of the MSDS sheets states DANGER! ASPIRATION MAY CAUSE LUNG DAMAGE. VAPORS CAUSE IRRITATION TO EYES AND RESPIRATORY TRACT. LIQUID CAUSES SKIN IRRITATION AND SEVERE EYE IRRITATION. HARMFUL IF SWALLOWED, INHALED OR ABSORBED THROUGH SKIN. AFFECTS LIVER, KIDNEYS AND BLOOD. COMBUSTIBLE LIQUID AND VAPOR. POSSIBLE CANCER HAZARD. CONTAINS P-DICHLOROBENZENE WHICH MAY CAUSE CANCER BASED ON ANIMAL DATA. Risk of cancer depends upon duration and level of exposure.
Inhalation can cause headache, nausea, swelling around the eyes, runny nose, loss of appetite and weight loss. Higher concentrations may cause drowsiness, central nervous system depression, kidney and liver damage, unconsciousness, and death. The least damage is irritation to the respiratory tract.
Prolonged and repeated exposure can cause blistering and dermatitis of the skin, and can also be absorbed through the skin to cause systemic poisoning.
Chronic exposure can damage blood, liver and kidneys.

P-Dichlorobenzene
Eye: Causes eye irritation. Exposure to high vapor concentrations may cause irritation. Solid particles of p-DCB are reported to be painful to the eyes.
Skin: Solid produces burning sensation when held in contact with the skin, but irritation is slight. A 69-year-old man contacting p-DCB in a treated chair developed skin lesions including swelling and discoloration; kidney damage also was reported. (Documentation of the TLV)
Ingestion: May cause gastrointestinal irritation with nausea, vomiting and diarrhea. May cause liver and kidney damage.
Inhalation: Causes respiratory tract irritation. May cause liver and kidney damage. Inhalation of vapors causes irritation of eyes, throat, and skin. Exposure may cause anorexia, nausea, vomiting, weight loss and hepatic necrosis with jaundice. Exposure may cause headache and rhinitis (inflammation of the mucous membrane of the nose). Signs and symptoms of overexposure listed by supplier include headache, dizziness/incoordination, nausea/vomiting, loss of consciousness, vertigo, confusion, anxiety, labored breathing, drowsiness.
Chronic: Possible cancer hazard based on tests with laboratory animals. May cause anemia and other blood cell abnormalities. Chronic inhalation may lead to decreased pulmonary function. Animal studies indicate that the product may affect the liver and kidneys. Prolonged inhalation studies in animals produced lung effects. A NIEHS study examined the relationship between blood concentration of 1,4-DCB and lung function measurements in 953 adult humans and found that 1,4-DCB was associated with reduced lung function. The impaired function occurred even when adults' history of smoking was considered.
Due to the length of this article, I will do a second part with more chemical info and cleaning tips on toilets.