Choosing Safer Products for People with MCS
Every product used in your home affects your indoor air. For people living with Multiple Chemical Sensitivity (MCS), product choices are one of the most direct and controllable factors in daily health.
What to Avoid Safer Swaps- Always read ingredient lists. Marketing claims are not safety indicators
- Avoid any product listing "fragrance," "parfum," or "perfume"
- Choose fragrance-free, not just "unscented"
- Shorter ingredient lists generally mean fewer potential exposures
- Use fewer products overall to reduce cumulative exposure
- Check ewg.org/skindeep and lesstoxicguide.ca for independent ratings
Do Not Be Misled by Label Claims
Terms like "natural," "green," "eco-friendly," "botanical," and "biodegradable" have no legal definitions in Canada. They are marketing terms and are not reliable indicators of safety for people with MCS.
Organic products must be certified. Look for certification marks, not just the word "organic" on a label. The first ingredient listed is present in the greatest amount. Not all ingredients are required to be disclosed.
Six Rules for Safer Product Selection
- Always read ingredients and avoid products listing parfum, perfume, or fragrance
- Do not rely on "natural," "eco-friendly," "green," or "biodegradable" labelling
- Buy unscented or fragrance-free products. Look for "fragrance-free" specifically
- Choose clear products free of artificial colorings
- Seek out products with a short list of recognizable ingredients
- Use fewer products and use them less often
Download: First Aid Kit for People with MCS
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Helpful Tools
The Think Dirty app lets you scan product barcodes and see ingredient ratings. EWG Skin Deep (ewg.org/skindeep) and Less Toxic Guide (lesstoxicguide.ca) provide independent ingredient databases.
Chemicals to Watch For in Product Labels
The following ingredients are commonly found in cleaning, personal care, and household products and are associated with health risks including hormonal disruption, carcinogenicity, and respiratory harm.
Fragrance / Parfum / Perfume
Broad chemical mixture containing phthalates, VOCs, and allergens. One of the most common MCS triggers.
Parabens
Methyl-, ethyl-, butyl-, propylparaben. Endocrine disruptors derived from petroleum, found in personal care products.
Formaldehyde
Known human carcinogen. Found in carpet cleaners, antibacterial soaps, air fresheners, nail treatments.
Triclosan
Found in antibacterial products. Can form dioxin when mixed with chlorinated tap water. Linked to immune and hormonal disruption.
Phthalates (DMP, DEP, DBP, DEHP)
Endocrine disruptors. Often present within "fragrance." Linked to reproductive and developmental harm.
Sodium Lauryl / Laureth Sulfate
Skin irritant and potential contaminant pathway. Found in shampoos, body washes, and toothpastes.
Bisphenol A (BPA) and substitutes
BPS, BPB, BPF are marketed as "BPA-free" but share similar endocrine-disrupting properties. Avoid all bisphenols.
Glycol Ethers (PEG, propylene glycol)
Associated with male infertility. Found in extra-strength cleaners, paints, and personal care products.
Ammonia
Respiratory tract irritant. Found in window cleaners and some all-purpose cleaning products.
Perchloroethylene
Possible carcinogen. Found in stain removers and dry cleaning products. Damages liver, kidneys, and nervous system.
Phenoxyethanol
Linked to nervous system effects. Found in preservative-containing personal care products.
Silicones (Dimethicone, Cyclomethicone)
Persistent environmental contaminants. Found in hair care, skin care, and cosmetic products.
Source: ASEQ-EHAQ Eco Living Guide / lavieecolo.ca. This list is not exhaustive. Consult EWG Skin Deep and Less Toxic Guide for comprehensive databases.
Ingredients to Watch For in Cleaning Products
The table below identifies specific chemicals commonly found in household cleaning products, their health effects, and where they are typically found. Source: ASEQ-EHAQ Eco Living Guide.
| Chemical Name | Health Effects | Commonly Found In | Risk |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2-Butoxyethanol (ethylene glycol butyl ether) | Blood disorders, liver and kidney damage, reproductive damage | Carpet cleaners, glass cleaners | High |
| Ammonia | Respiratory tract irritation | Window cleaners | Moderate |
| Benzene | Known carcinogen | Air fresheners, incense | High |
| Formaldehyde | Known to cause cancer in humans, allergic reactions | Carpet cleaners, antibacterial soaps, air fresheners | High |
| Nonylphenol / Ethoxylated nonyl phenols | Hormone disruptor, nervous system disruptor, kidney damage | All-purpose cleaners, laundry detergents, paints | High |
| Glycol Ethers | Male infertility | Extra-strength all-purpose cleaners | High |
| Perchloroethylene | Possible carcinogen, liver/kidney/nervous system damage | Stain removers, dry cleaning | High |
| Toluene (Toluol) | Neurotoxin, memory loss, fatigue, dizziness | All-purpose cleaners, bathroom cleaners | High |
| Xylene | Liver damage, nervous system depression | Floor polishers, stainless steel cleaners, air fresheners | Moderate |
| Cresol and phenols | Kidney and liver damage | Disinfectants | High |
| Naphthalene / Paradichlorobenzene | Possible carcinogens, eye/kidney/nervous system damage | Mothballs, stick deodorants | High |
6 Household Products to Avoid or Replace
The World Health Organization (WHO) has issued warnings about early exposure to chemicals in household cleaning products. For people with MCS, these products represent some of the highest-risk exposures in the home. Source: ASEQ-EHAQ Eco Living Guide / lavieecolo.ca.
1. Antibacterial Cleaners
Contain triclosan, which can form dioxin linked to weakened immune systems, decreased fertility, and hormone disruption. Triclosan can also mix with chlorine in tap water to form chlorinated dioxins.
Fragrance-free soap, which kills 99.4% of germs without toxic by-products.
2. Air Fresheners
Do not eliminate odours. They coat nasal passages with oil or release nerve-deadening agents. Key ingredients include formaldehyde (carcinogen) and phenol, which can cause headaches, fatigue, and immune dysfunction.
Open windows or use an exhaust fan. Address odours at their source.
3. Dishwasher Detergents
A leading cause of accidental child poisoning. Many contain highly concentrated dry chlorine that can cause burns and eye injuries. Residue can build up on dishes and transfer to food during heating.
Phosphate-free, chlorine-free, colour-free, and perfume-free dishwasher detergents.
4. Oven Cleaners
Among the most hazardous household chemicals. Contain sodium hydroxide (burns the skin), plus benzene, toluene, xylene, methanol, and ethyl benzene, all known carcinogens. Residue releases toxic fumes when the oven is heated.
Paste of salt, baking soda, and water. Apply, leave overnight, wipe clean.
5. Carpet and Upholstery Shampoos
Often contain perchloroethylene (a known carcinogen that damages the liver, kidneys, and nervous system) and ammonium hydroxide. Fumes can cause dizziness, nausea, and disorientation.
Baking soda and water for most stains. Salt for wine or fruit stains. Baking soda and cornstarch to deodorize.
6. Toilet, Tub, and Tile Cleaners
Highly toxic, especially in enclosed spaces. Most contain hydrochloric acid and hypochlorite bleach, plus benzene, toluene, and methanol. Risk of poisoning is high in small, windowless bathrooms.
Undiluted white vinegar removes toilet stains. Diluted vinegar removes soap scum. Washing soda on tiles.
Common Swaps for a Lower-Exposure Home
These substitutions reduce VOC exposure, eliminate fragrance chemicals, and replace high-risk conventional products with safer alternatives. Laundry detergents from brands such as Attitude, Nature Clean, Seventh Generation Free & Clear, The Unscented Company, and Nellie's Laundry Soda are fragrance-free options widely available in Canada.
| Replace This | With This |
|---|---|
| Scented laundry detergent | Fragrance-free, dye-free laundry liquid (e.g. Nature Clean, The Unscented Company) |
| Fabric softener | Half-cup of white vinegar in the rinse cycle |
| Chemical air freshener | Open window, exhaust fan, or air-purifying houseplants |
| Antibacterial spray cleaner | Fragrance-free, least-toxic all-purpose cleaner or diluted white vinegar |
| Scented dish soap | Fragrance-free, colour-free dish liquid |
| Scented hand soap | Fragrance-free bar soap or unscented liquid soap |
| Bleach-based toilet cleaner | Undiluted white vinegar and baking soda |
| Chemical oven cleaner | Baking soda and water paste, left overnight, wiped clean |
| Scented shampoo | Fragrance-free shampoo with short ingredient list |
| Scented deodorant | Fragrance-free deodorant (not aluminum-based antiperspirant) |
| Conventional moisturizer with fragrance | Pure plant-based oils (jojoba, almond) or fragrance-free cream |
| Scented candles | Beeswax candles without added fragrance, or no candles at all |
Download: Eating Organic on a Budget for People with MCS
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Download PDFIngredients to Avoid in Personal Care and Cosmetics
Personal care products are applied directly to the skin and often contain high-risk ingredients. The following are among the most commonly found and most concerning. Source: ASEQ-EHAQ Eco Living Guide.
| Ingredient | Health Effects | Found In | Risk |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alpha Hydroxy Acids | Increased UV sensitization, potential skin cancer risk | Moisturizers, facial peels, scrubs | Moderate |
| BHA (Butylhydroxyanisol) | Suspected carcinogen, hormonal disruptor, skin sensitizer | Cosmetics, moisturizers, baby sunscreen | High |
| Coal Tar | Known to cause cancer in humans | Shampoo, hair dyes | High |
| Formaldehyde (formalin) | Known carcinogen | Nail treatments, nail polishes | High |
| Parabens (methylparaben, ethylparaben, butylparaben) | Endocrine disruptors, linked to hormonal cancers | Shampoos, conditioners, creams, cosmetics | High |
| Parfum / Fragrance / Perfume | Broad chemical mixture with allergens, VOCs, phthalates | Almost all scented personal care products | High |
| Phthalates | Endocrine disruptors, reproductive harm | Nail polish, hair spray, often within "fragrance" | High |
| Triclosan | Hormone disruption, immune system effects | Antibacterial soaps, some toothpastes | High |
| Aluminum (aluminum chlorohydrate) | Linked to neurological and hormonal concerns | Antiperspirant deodorants | Moderate |
| Mineral oil / Petrolatum | Potential contamination with polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons | Baby products, moisturizers, lip balms | Moderate |
Eco Living Guide - Fragrance-Free Alternatives for Every Product Category
ASEQ-EHAQ's Eco Living Guide (lavieecolo.ca) provides specific, categorized guidance on safer product alternatives for housekeeping, personal hygiene, child care, renovations, and more. Visit the Eco Living Guide →