Alwaysread product labels, and look for these signal words:
Danger! Warning! or Caution!
These words warn us about hazards posed by the product. It’s common sense that danger means that a product is extremely hazardous, poisonous, flammable, or corrosive. Warnings or cautions signal a product that is somewhat less hazardous.
Products listing no signal words are usually the least hazardous.
A product is hazardous when it contains one or more of the following properties:
I Flammable/combustible
The Dangers of Hazardous Household Products
Potential Health Problems and Injuries
I Mixtures of some hazardous products can produce dangerous vapors or fires.
I Products containing acid or lye can burn the skin and eyes.
I Exposure to some pesticides, paints, and solvents can make you feel sick, causing weakness, confusion, dizziness, irritability, headaches, nausea, sweating, tremors, convulsions, and even death.
I Repeated exposures to some chemicals can cause cancer, birth defects, and death.
Poisonings happen every day, with children and pets becoming ill and/or dying from eating or drinking toxic products in our homes. Many poisonous products can look and even taste good (e.g., automotive antifreeze).
Prevent poisonings by
I Keeping products in their original containers when possible. If a product does not have its original label, label it yourself if you are sure of the contents.
I Not mixing products together. Dangerous reactions can occur when some materials are mixed.
I Making sure that products are sealed properly to prevent leaks and spills.
I Keeping containers out of the reach of children and pets.
Keep emergency numbers on hand as well as the number for the poison control center for your area.
Ingredients to Be Aware Of
Nonylphenol Ethoxylates (NPEs)
When they’re released into the environment, these chemicals can break down into toxic substances that can act as hormone disruptors, potentially threatening the reproductive capacity of fish, birds, and mammals. NPE is found in many cleaning products, especially detergents, stain removers, citrus cleaners, and disinfectants.
Antibacterials
Some antibacterial ingredients may cause skin and eye irritation, especially certain types with ingredients such as triclosan. Keep in mind that many products that carry the “antibacterial” label are actually disinfectants.
Ammonia
Ammonia is poisonous when swallowed and extremely irritating to respiratory passages when inhaled. It can burn skin on contact. It is frequently found in floor, bathroom, tile, and glass cleaners.
Never mix ammonia-containing products with chlorine bleach.
This produces poisonous chlorine gas.
Butyl Cellosolve
This is poisonous when swallowed and is a lung tissue irritant. It is found in glass cleaners and all-purpose cleaners. (It is also known as butyl glycol, ethylene glycol, and mono butyl.)
Chlorine Bleach
Chlorine bleach is extremely irritating to the lungs and eyes. It is sold by itself and is found in a variety of household cleaners. (It is also known as sodium hypochlorite.)
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28 Recycling Projects for the Evil Genius
Never mix chlorine bleach products with ammonia. This produces poisonous chlorine gas.
D-Limonene
This substance can irritate the skin. It is found in air fresheners.
Diethanolamine (DEA) and Triethanolamine (TEA)
When combined with nitrosomes, these ingredients may produce carcinogenic compounds that can penetrate the skin. They are frequently found in sudsing products, including detergents and cleaners.
Disinfectants
This is a widely used term for a variety of active ingredients, including chlorine bleach, some organic compounds, pine oil, and ethyl alcohol.
They are regulated by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) as pesticides, and all have some health effects. Disinfectants are found in a variety of household cleaners. In addition, many products that carry the “antibacterial” label are also disinfectants.
Fragrances
Certain fragrances, especially synthetic types, may cause watery eyes and respiratory tract irritation.
They are found in a variety of cleaners and air fresheners.
Hydrochloric Acid
Hydrochloric acid can severely burn skin and cause major irritations of the eyes and respiratory tract. It is commonly found in toilet bowl cleaners, masonry cleaners, and pool chemicals. (It is also known as muriatic acid.)
Naptha
Naptha can cause headaches, nausea, and central nervous system symptoms with overexposure. It is found in furniture and floor polishes and glass cleaners.
Petroleum-Based
Many ingredients are derived from petroleum, including some of the preceding, such as naptha, and they are commonly found in cleaning products and solvents.
Phosphates
Phosphates can escape sewage-treatment plants and septic systems to reach waterways and contribute to the overgrowth of algae and aquatic weeds, which can kill off fish populations and other aquatic life. Phosphates are found in
automatic dishwasher detergents and some laundry detergents, where allowed.
Sodium Hydroxide
Sodium hydroxide is corrosive and extremely irritating to eyes, nose, and throat and can burn those tissues on contact. It is found in drain and oven cleaners and is used for making soap. (It is also known as lye.)
Sulfuric Acid
Sulfuric acid can severely damage eyes, lungs, and skin. It is freqently found in drain cleaners.
Still Not Sure?
If you’re still concerned about the ingredients in a product, call the source. The manufacturer’s name and address are listed by law on all cleaning products so that consumers can contact them with questions, comments, or problems. You also can CAUTION
request a Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS) on the product that contains more detailed information on the ingredients and formulations used.