WASHINGTON--(BUSINESS WIRE)--The press release promoting Deirdre Imus’ new book Green This! Volume 1 distorts the facts about traditional cleaning products, according to Christopher Cathcart, president of the Consumer Specialty Products Association. The book is set to be released on April 10th, but a press release promoting it questions the safety of traditional products and recommends replacing them with those containing naturally-derived ingredients.

“While we admire the work that Ms. Imus has done and support her Environmental Center’s goal of protecting children’s health, it is simply wrong and irresponsible to portray traditional cleaning products as a problem,” said Cathcart.

“Cleaning products are part of the solution, not the problem,” Cathcart added. “They are carefully designed to improve the quality of life and reduce health risks and are used safely in millions of households, commercial establishments, and public facilities every day.”

Cathcart, whose association represents companies that manufacture both traditional and natural cleaning products, pointed out that commercial products are carefully formulated for safe use. “There is no guarantee that a natural ingredient or product is any safer or better for the environment,” he said.

“Companies that manufacture these products choose ingredients with low toxicity and evaluate products for health and safety to assure exposure levels from product use and potential misuse are below the level that would pose significant health risks,” Cathcart said. “These products are extensively tested by the formulators to ensure that they do the job without harming human health or the environment.”

“While some natural ingredients are effectively used in cleaning products, it is simply wrong to automatically assume that traditional products are bad and natural ingredients are good,” he added.

The Consumer Specialty Products Association is a non-profit national trade association representing approximately 260 companies engaged in the manufacture, formulation, distribution and sale of hundreds of familiar consumer products. It is organized into seven divisions: Aerosol Products, Air Care, Antimicrobial Products, Cleaning Products, Pest Management Products, Industrial & Automotive Specialty Chemicals, and Polishes & Floor Maintenance Products.