now the new hot thing is Soy-based cleaning products, because of low VOC's and decent performance, these are derived from methyl soyate, which is derived from soy and corn. Never mind (for now) the ethical dilemma of supporting the soy industry while Monsanto continues to rape small farmers and business people with patent abuse even more egregious than Chem-Lie's...that discussion is for another day, let's focus on this popular newcomer to the chemical arsenal.
Like d-Limonene before it, it is being held up as all natural, food grade, non-toxic, etc. HOWEVER precious little has been done to study it's long term effects on people, animals and the environment. Like d-Limonene, 5, 10 or 20 years from now, we may discover that there was a rush to accept it and due caution was not used before exposing ourselves to it. While both soy and corn are naturally occurring organisms, methyl soyate is not naturally occurring. And as has been mentioned, just because something is natural, does not make it safe.
Sodium percarbonate is used heavily in the industry and is generally considered safe, but it can be dangerous if mixed with reducers, if it gets damp while stored, if the activated concentrate gets on skin, etc.
Nothing should ever be touted as "totally safe, harmless, environmentally-safe"......without at least a decade of testing to back up those claims. It is pushing it to even say safER, LESS toxic, etc....
Take care,
Lisa