Thursday, February 4, 2010

It's the mystery under the kitchen sink: What's in floor cleaner? What's stain remover made of? And what effects might they have on human health or the environment?

Environmental advocates want to know. They asked a New York court Wednesday to use a 1971 state law to force manufacturers to reveal exactly what makes up household staples such as Ajax, Ivory soap and Tide.

The cleaning-products industry notes it recently ramped up voluntary efforts to disclose product ingredients. The Soap and Detergent Association trade group says the legal case is unwarranted and fears about health risks are off base.

Groups including the American Lung Association and the Sierra Club want the courts to force manufacturers to disclose ingredients to the state government and by extension, consumers.

They hope the case will help fuel nationwide reform.