Buying a dishwasher, consumers expect to make their life easier and more enjoyable. But under certain circumstances, this unit can become a source of serious problems. The debate over whether the dishwasher is harmful does not subside. Let's try to figure out what are the sources of danger and how to avoid it.
Dishwasher harm to human health
Dishwashers (PMM), saving us from the routine obligation to wash the dishes, it turns out, are not as simple as they seem. This useful technique, if used improperly, can be harmful.
When using PMM, there are moments that are not dependent on the user - they must either be taken for granted or refuse to use dishwashers. Learn about the factors that make a dishwasher unsafe.
Poor rinsing
Dishwasher manufacturers, promoting their products, focus on a number of key advantages that they think consumers will not be able to resist. Among such advantages - multiple water savings.
Water in dishwashers is saved due to two factors:
- Effective use of water due to high pressure, the use of special design sprinklers, etc.
- Low water consumption when rinsing. The rinse duration is several times shorter than the main cycle.
In PMM, special detergents are used - more aggressive against microorganisms. At the same time, they are more toxic to humans. Short rinsing can not provide a complete flushing of toxic detergent compositions.
Saving rinse water can be expensive. It is even recommended to use handwash detergents by wearing gloves. One can imagine how aggressive the compositions are for machines.
How to get out of the situation? There are several options:
- After washing, rinse the dishes under running water. The downside is a waste of time and high water costs. But health is more expensive.
- Buy only the most proven and safest products. Read the composition, be interested in the manufacturer, reviews, expert opinion.
- If you have a little dishes, and you are categorically against “chemistry”, it is better to completely abandon the PMM and wash the dishes with what, in your opinion, is safe.
The harm from the toxic compounds used in the PMM is a separate problem, we will consider this point separately.
Toxic effect
Any household chemicals contain surfactants - surfactants. They make the surface of the dishes perfectly clean, but at the same time they are fixed on it so that it is impossible to remove them with a simple rinse.
Surfactants can be removed:
- rinse with a chromium-based mixture;
- calcination by flame.
With automatic washing, not only aggressive detergents are used, but also more toxic rinses. They help rinse off the previous composition, give the dishes shine and speed up drying.
Rinsing agent, washing off some toxins, leaves other, no less harmful substances on the surface of the dishes.
Washing dishes in the PMM is especially dangerous for children and allergy sufferers. In homes where dishes are washed in dishwashers, among children:
- bronchial asthma is spread more by 6%;
- the incidence of atopic dermatitis is 15% higher;
- increased level of seasonal allergies.
Use phosphate-free products to minimize harm from detergent formulations. Today, 3 in 1 tablets are especially popular. They are convenient - in their composition, in addition to the main means, contains a rinse aid and salt. Many manufacturers also produce tablets in soluble packaging so that they do not have to come into contact with the components of the product.
Phosphates soften water and improve washing quality. They are dangerous for the human body, and for the environment as a whole.
When buying tablets or any other form of release of detergent, read the composition - it should not contain phosphates. An example of such phosphate-free tablets is Bioretto. They have neither phosphate, nor chlorine, nor perfumes.
Mold propagation
This problem occurs because of the user himself. Violation of the operating rules of the dishwasher leads to the appearance of mold, fungus, black yeast in it.
The problem of microorganisms concerns not only PMM. If you do not take care of household appliances, do not clean it and do not disinfect, then harmful bacteria will multiply in it. At risk are crock-pots, coffee makers, microwave ovens, refrigerators, etc.
The heat and moisture prevailing in the dishwasher are an ideal environment for the development of fungi and bacteria. Studies have shown that the rubber seal - between the body and the door, is a haven and breeding ground for black yeast, fungi and bacteria.
Unfortunately, not a single disinfection method that is traditional and accessible to a simple user can cope with the germs found on the seal. They can not be destroyed neither by steam, nor by boiling water, nor by alkalis, nor by household chemicals.
Samples taken from plates washed in different apparatuses showed that fungal spores are present on their surface. Many fungi are pathogenic and can cause serious harm to humans.
Black yeast provokes:
- pulmonary diseases;
- subcutaneous abscesses;
- inflammatory processes in the brain.
All of the above diseases, if untreated, lead to death.
How to avoid danger? It is necessary to carefully monitor the cleanliness of the device from the very beginning of operation. After each wash, wipe dry all surfaces that absorb moisture.
The benefits and harms of PMM - which is stronger?
Today, many people cook so little and eat so little at home that the problem of clean plates is not as acute as before. The presence of hot water allows you to quickly and efficiently wash dirty dishes. Saving it is still not recommended. Even for half load, the required number of plates is not always typed.
The benefits of PMM in a small family are so small that it makes no sense to risk their health. And caring for the car itself is much more tedious than washing dishes. The real benefits of automatic washing are noticeable in the food service, but there are serious hygiene requirements - the presence of mold or fungi is unacceptable there. Workers are responsible for the cleanliness of the device, and hygiene is controlled by the norms of SNiP.
Therefore, before you buy a dishwasher, you should correlate the benefits and risks. If you wash a mountain of plates every day, you need such a machine, if you have 3-4 plates, you can do without it. But if you already have a dishwasher, be prepared to monitor its cleanliness. Wash, wipe, clean using special products.