Investigative report by Suhair Abduljabbar & Muneera Ahmed Al-Tayyar
Most of the women involved in the home-based manufacturing business of cleaning products have not completed their basic education and face difficulties in reading and writing. Consequently, this lack of education makes it challenging for them to understand the names of the chemical substances used in the production of these cleaners, as well as their potential hazards. Furthermore, adhering to established safety standards requires a good understanding of these dangers, including the necessity of manufacturing cleaning products in well-ventilated areas and keeping them away from direct sunlight.
Maram Nasser (a pseudonym) nearly suffocated due to her use of low-cost bathroom and tile cleaning products sold on a street corner for no more than one thousand Yemeni riyals (less than two dollars in Sana'a). She attempted to take advantage of this opportunity and purchased this cheaper, unbranded product given the high prices of imported cleaning products, which exceeded her financial capabilities.
She tells "Khuyut", "I decided to try the local product because its price was affordable, and the quantity was large enough to last for a long time. I thought it was just a bathroom cleaner, just like any other; I didn’t think it could harm me or my family."
She adds, "It's true that the cleaner is sold in unmarked metal containers without any labels or ingredients listed. However, when I first used it to clean the bathroom and tiles, I felt dizzy and suffocated, and my eyes turned red. These symptoms were something I had never experienced before."
Maram rushed to the nearest medical clinic to receive emergency treatment. She required oxygen to recover her breathing and also needed an allergy shot due to the severe allergic reaction she experienced. As she reflects on her situation, she states, "I realized how much I risked my health just to save a little money."
“The chemicals in these household cleaners can cause severe irritation to the mucous membranes responsible for directing airflow into the lungs, potentially leading to long-term damage to lung function. In severe cases, exposure to strong chemical substances can lead to life-threatening conditions like dangerously low blood pressure, difficulty breathing, chest pain, and even death.”
Actually, many women in Yemen face economic challenges that drive them to seek additional sources of income. This situation has led to initiatives supported by local organizations and agencies, promoting small home-based projects such as cleaning product manufacturing and others. Although these projects are considered an important source of income, they may also involve health and environmental risks for both the producers and consumers.
Through a survey conducted by the authors of this investigation, which included 42 women regarding locally produced cleaning products from home-based projects, it was found that 20.5% preferred these local cleaners. In fact, this preference is attributed to their affordability, encouragement of local products, and the lack of alternatives available in the market.
Lack of Expertise and Risky Ventures
Most of the women involved in the home-based manufacturing business of cleaning products have not completed their basic education and face difficulties in reading and writing. This lack of education makes it challenging for them to understand the names of the chemical substances used in the production of these cleaners, as well as their potential hazards. Furthermore, adhering to established safety standards requires a good understanding of these dangers, including the necessity of manufacturing cleaning products in well-ventilated areas and keeping them away from direct sunlight.
Manar Al-Arami, a chemistry specialist, confirms to "Khuyut" that most of the substances used in the production of these cleaning products are hazardous, including formalin, caustic soda, and acids like sulfonic acid. The danger increases significantly when individuals are unaware of how to handle these materials properly. Therefore, it is essential that these substances are managed by trained professionals who have a thorough understanding of them, as some clear liquid substances can be quite similar in appearance but have drastically different effects. Furthermore, they must possess knowledge of chemical equations to avoid errors that could arise from improper mixing of ingredients.
She adds that manufacturing cleaning products at home without a designated suitable space poses risks to the household due to harmful emissions. Therefore, it is essential that the production process take place in specialized areas that are well ventilated to ensure safety.
The prices of imported cleaning products for bathrooms, tiles, wall polishing, and carpet shampoos range between 3,000 and 5,000 Yemeni riyals. In contrast, the prices of locally manufactured cleaning products, made by small home-based businesses, are priced at no more than 1,500 Yemeni riyals.
So, this big price difference drives many housewives to opt for the cheaper, locally made products sold by small home-based businesses to save money. Likewise, business owners—such as those operating restaurants, hotels, and other establishments—also favor purchasing these local products instead of imported cleaners, prioritizing cost savings over potential health hazards and consequences.
Similarly, Basem Al-Ariqi, the head of the pharmacy technicians sector at the Yemen Community Pharmacy Owner Syndicate, agrees with Al-Arami's assertion in his interview with "Khuyut", saying that producing cleaning products without adequate knowledge and skills poses a danger to both the producers and consumers. He further emphasizes that these are highly hazardous chemical substances that require careful handling and attention. They can cause irritation to the skin, eyes, nose, and throat, and in severe cases, may lead to poisoning.
Multiple Health Hazards
Sondos, a consumer of these products, was surprised by the gases emitted from a locally made chlorine product she had purchased from a neighbor, who recommended it, and which was made in her neighbor's husband's home-based lab. The issue arose when she added the chlorine to water, resulting in fumes that made it difficult for her to breathe, an experience she had never experienced with the other products she had previously used.
According to the survey results, approximately 28.4% of women reported experiencing health issues and side effects such as allergic reactions and suffocation after using locally made cleaners. Additionally, 23.5% reported symptoms like abdominal pain, nausea, and eye irritation.
For his part, Dr. Hamoud Yahya, a specialist in pulmonary and respiratory diseases, explains to "Khuyut" that the chemicals found in these household cleaners can cause severe irritation to the mucous membranes responsible for directing airflow into the lungs, potentially leading to long-term damage to lung function. In severe cases, exposure to strong chemical substances can lead to life-threatening conditions like dangerously low blood pressure, difficulty breathing, chest pain, and even death.
Moreover, around 18.8% of the women who responded to the survey reported that they had used these locally produced cleaning products inaccurately, resulting in damage to their household items and furniture. Therefore, the harm is no longer limited to just the producer and consumer of these unregulated cleaners; it also extends to the materials they come into contact with, such as clothing, furniture, toilets, and tiles.
Likewise, Zainab, one of the consumers, shared her experience, reporting that after using a locally produced cleaning product, she was surprised to find her kitchen sink and pipes had turned black and lost their shine. Al-Arami, the chemistry expert, attributes this issue to the high concentration of acids in the product, explaining that while stronger formulas may enhance cleaning power, they often cause significant material damage at the same time.
According to Tawfiq Al-Hakimi, a member of the Monitoring Committee at the General Authority for Standardization and Metrology in Sana'a, in his interview with "Khuyut", the committee frequently receives complaints from affected neighbors regarding locations where such cleaning products are manufactured. These complaints are primarily due to the emitted gases that do not comply with the safety conditions and standards set by the committee for continued operation.
“The official process for obtaining a commercial product registration involves securing approval from the Ministry of Industry and Trade, and only after the product meets the quality standards set by the General Authority for Standardization and Metrology. The authority has set several requirements for measuring the quality of locally manufactured products, including that the product must not cause any negative effects or damage to surfaces when used according to the usage instructions.”
On the other hand, Dr. Ali Al-Komani, a dermatologist, explains to "Khuyut" that the cleaning products sold on the streets without any information about their chemical contents are often responsible for various skin diseases, primarily allergies, eczema, and rashes. Moreover, these products may even lead to chronic skin conditions, especially those used for dishwashing, as they may contain excessive or adulterated substances.
Ill-Considered Empowerment
In a risky endeavor, government agencies in Sana’a enroll women who lost their breadwinners during the war in short-term training courses, lasting no more than 10 days, held in various centers and institutions in the capital. The same applies to the Ministry of Industry and Trade, which organizes training courses on the production of cleaners, disinfectants, and sanitizers, sometimes even offering them remotely via WhatsApp, Telegram, and Facebook. However, many of the women participating in these courses lack the necessary experience and skills, with some not even holding a basic education certificate.
A woman referred to as S.L., the owner of a locally emerging cleaning product business in Sana’a, shares with "Khuyut" about how she started her own project. She explained that she attended a one-week course offered by a supporting organization, despite having no prior experience or knowledge in this field and not even completing her secondary education.
She continues, "After completing the course, I started working from home, purchasing raw materials through traders to produce the cleaners. Subsequently, I registered my product with the General Authority for Standardization and Metrology, where some of my products were tested, and I was granted a registration certificate. Although I haven’t opened my own lab yet, I am selling in large quantities at very affordable prices."
In this context, Mi'ad Al-Qulaisi, a member of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry in the Capital Secretariat of Sana’a, explains to "Khuyut" that the step of documenting a product’s commercial registration comes after it has been issued by the Ministry of Industry and Trade, and once it meets the conditions set by the Authority for Standardization, Metrology, and Quality Control.
Noncompliance with Standards
The Yemeni General Authority for Standardization and Metrology has set several requirements for measuring the quality of locally produced products, including that the product must not cause any negative effects or damage to surfaces when used according to the usage instructions.
Furthermore, the product must also be packaged in appropriate containers that neither affect nor are affected by the chemicals inside, and they must be tightly sealed and stored away from direct sunlight. Additionally, each package must have labels in Arabic, or in both Arabic and English (with the exception of ingredients, which may be written in English only), clearly printed in a way that makes them difficult to remove, whether by the disinfectant or others. The label should include the product name and type, the manufacturer’s name and/or brand (if available), the main ingredients used in the formulation, any additives or preservatives (if present), production and expiration dates, usage instructions, and safety warnings.
However, despite these requirements being enforced at the Standards and Metrology Laboratory, there are several products in the markets that have been reported as non-compliant with these conditions. Accordingly, this situation necessitates shutting down unauthorized manufacturing sites that do not comply with safety standards, particularly those that are unknown and operating without proper oversight and do not comply with safety protocols.
