Hmm. Ok. I didn't realize that. I've worked temporarily in a vet clinic where certain alternatives are used to kill germs, but I honestly never thought of that application to dealing with human germs. Maybe I'm naive, but I can live with it.

Are these alternatives to killing germs equally cost effective?  Don't get me wrong, but so much of running businesses (and, yes, school is sadly still a business) is predicated on it being cost-effective.  I would think that if they were cheaper alternatives then that would certainly be a win-win scenario for all involved.

Also, I think there have been plenty of things invented that have improved health.  I understand where you're coming from, but sometimes invention is a necessary part of improving the standards of living.

Sorry, I'm not a parent, so I'm not up on the skyrocketing rates of asthma and leukemia.  I do know from personal experience that asthma rates have shown noticeable spikes in certain geographic territories, but I wasn't aware that it was a national crisis.

I pretty sure hydrogen peroxide would not be expensive, if anything maybe even less expensive than the more toxic equivalents. I'm not sure about diluted tea tree, oregano, or thyme. I do know that many schools are switching to healthier alternatives when the parents demand it and show them proof that chemicals do cause harm. There are currently 7.1 million children with asthma in the U.S., that's 9.6%. Of course schools are not the only contributing factor, when you take into account air pollution (especially in cities), and more cleaning chemicals used by parents at home - we're surrounded by toxins 24/7. I'm not paranoid about it, but I use non-toxic cleaners in our home (one's that I would not need to call poison control if my daughter finds them), I don't let my two year old stand behind an idle car, and we try to get plenty of fresh air. :) Incidentally, since we switched to natural cleaning products, my husband and I get fewer headaches as well!

They probably don't. That actually reminds me of an article I read a while back that had quotes from farmers saying that they wouldn't even eat the potatoes they grow commercially because of all the pesticides and such, because, since they had first-hand experience, they knew how bad it was. They said that they grew their own organic potatoes on separate land to feed themselves and their families with. It's a little different than household cleaners, but it just goes to show that sometimes these companies are aware of the dangers of their products.

Yes, along the same lines. Just like the people who make vaccines and say they would never use it on themselves and their children. I don't understand how all these people can live with that on their conscience!