HAZARDS OF COMMON

HOUSEHOLD PRODUCTS

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INTRODUCTION Many household products may seem

harmless Some are harmless until reacted with

another common product

HOUSEHOLD CLEANERS

DRAIN AND OVEN CLEANERS Caustic Eye and skin

irritant Flammable Toxic when

ingested

FURNITURE POLISH Petroleum

product in polish can cause kidney damage

Eye and lung irritant

Vapors can cause loss of consciusness

CARPET STAIN REMOVER Lung irritant Central nervous

system depressant

Liver Damage Kidney Damage Flammable

OIL BASED PAINT AND PAINT REMOVER Eye, skin and

lung irritant Muscle

weakness Liver and kidney

damage Flammable

DISINFECTANTS Clorox, Lysol,

etc. Corrosive Reactive Toxic when

ingested

TOILET BOWL CLEANERS

Highly reactive Eye irritant Skin irritant

AIR FRESHENER May contain

phthalates which are endocrine disruptors

Respiratory irritant

Ingredients not always labeled

“trade secrets”

DRYER SHEETS EPA confirmed

that they chloroform emissions from dryer vents

Fragrances of unknown composition

Formaldehyde

LAUNDRY DETERGENT Eye irritation May contain

perfumes

WINDOW CLEANER Lung irritant Highly Reactive

REACTIVITY Simply means when exposed to or

mixed with another product it can become toxic

When common toilet bowl cleaner containing HCl and ammonia are mixed a toxic gas is released

Reaction - http://youtu.be/M7eUA9Ldfv8

SAFER ALTERNATIVES FOR HOUSEHOLD CLEANING Do your own research Refer to cheat sheet guide provided Remember you are putting yourself and

your family (and pets) at risk!

COSMETICS AND HYGIENIC ITEMS

LOTIONS AND GENERAL COSMETICS Majority contain

parabens! Parabens are

absorbed through the skin into the blood stream and can mimic estrogen in the body.

Petroleum products which can cause kidney and liver damage.

SOAPS AND SHAMPOOS May contain

parabens Sodium laureth

sulfate – environmental toxin

Petroleum products

TOOTHPASTE Fluoride can be

carcinogenic in certain doses

Can be harmful to children if swallowed

MOUTHWASH Eye irritant Skin irritant Can be fatal to

children if children consume

NAIL POLISH Many contain

formaldehyde Phthalates Toluene

NAIL POLISH REMOVER Skin irritant Lung irritant Toluene Xylene Acetone

PERFUMES/COLOGNES Phthalates Many unknown

ingredients due to “trade secrets”

Lung irritant

SAFER ALTERNATIVES TO HAZARDOUS COSMETICS Look for organic and/or all natural

products Read the Labels Avoid Parabens, petroleum products,

pthalates

GENERAL HOUSEHOLD ITEMS

INSECTICIDES Skin, eye and

lung irritant Organ damage

ANTIFREEZE Central nervous

system depressant

Respiratory failure

Kidney damage Harmful to pets

RUBBER CEMENT Skin and lung

irritant Lethal in

increased concentration

Flammable

CFL BULBS Acid plastic

smoke is carcinogenic

Contain mercury

CELL PHONES Most studies

have shown the radio frequencies post no hazard

Some phones emit radiation

PLASTICS•BPA is a hazard associated with reusing plastic containers which affects the immune system.•PVC is a carcinogen which one is exposed to when using plastic for food storage

SAFER ALTERNATIVES TO GENERAL HOUSEHOLD ITEMS Be cautious when handling CFL bulbs Consider using Pyrex or Glassware

instead of plastic containers. Never reheat food in a plastic container. Most of these items cannot be avoided

such as a cell phone – consider a lower radiation emitting phone.

IN CONCLUSION. . . Educate yourself on common

ingredients Take the time to read labels of

everything you purchase Realize that not everything has been

regulated Make your own decisions and be

cautious!

REFERENCES http://www.co.thurston.wa.us/health/ehh

m/hazards.html http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/enc

y/article/002488.htm http://emilms.fema.gov/is55/alternatives

.html http://www.benmanind.com/msds/Lemo

nOilFurniturePolish.pdf http://www.restoreproducts.com/comme

rcial/msds/toiletbowlcleanermsds.html

REFERENCES http://www.enn.com/green_building/artic

le/23394 http://www.naturalnews.com/002693.ht

ml http://www.restoreproducts.com/comme

rcial/msds/laundrydetergentmsds.html http://www.safecosmetics.org/article.php

?id=224 http://www.ohcow.on.ca/resources/hand

books/nail_salon/nail_salons.htm

http://environment.about.com/od/healthenvironment/a/plastic_bottles.htm

http://www.rense.com/general82/evi.htm

http://www.wattworks.com/CFL%20Hazards.htm