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green cleaning:
household hazards!
a dozen common products
1. air fresheners & deodorizers
Formaldehyde
— Toxic; carcinogen; irritant to eyes, nose, throat and skin; may cause nausea, headaches, nose bleeds, dizziness, memory loss, and shortness of breath
Phenol*:
— Flammable; very toxic; respiratory, circulatory or cardiac damage
— Skin irritant- causes swelling, burning, peeling and hives.
Paradichlorobenzene:
— Known carcinogen.
— Causes birth defects, liver, kidney and brain damage.
— Builds up in the body. (1)
Dichlorobenzene:
— Extremely toxic.
— Central nervous system depressant.
— Kidney and liver poison.
— A type of chlorinated hydrocarbon that is stored in body fat and does not break down in the environment.
2. Bleach
Sodium hypochlorite
— Strong corrosive- burns eyes, skin and lungs.
— Causes respiratory tract damage.
— May cause pulmonary edema or vomiting and coma if ingested
3. Carpet & Spot Cleaners
Perchlorethylene:
— Carcinogenic.
— Causes liver, kidney, and nervous-system damage.
Trichloroethane solvents:
— Linked to liver and kidney damage
Ammonium hydroxide:
— Corrosive- extremely irritable to eyes, skin and respiratory passages.
2-butoxy ethanol (solvent)
— Absorbed through the skin and can cause blood changes.
— Considered an environmental hazard by EPA.
Acetone:
— Irritating to eyes, respiratory tract and skin.
— May be absorbed by inhalation.
— Can cause changes in the liver's ability to metabolize chemicals.
— Causes kidney damage.
4. Dishwasher Detergent
Chlorine (in dry form):
— Toxic fumes released with hot water
— Linked to breast cancer
Sodium Silicate (powdered):
— Corrosive. Burns to eyes and tissue. Damages skin.
— Burns to the mouth, throat, and stomach if swallowed.
Sodium hypochlorite (powdered):
— Damage eyes, burn skin.
— Breathing dust can cause chronic lung damage.
— Burns to the mouth, throat, and stomach if swallowed.
5. Disinfectants
Cresols:
— Kidney and liver damage.
Dioxin**:
— Carcinogen. (500,000 times more deadly than DDT)
Phenols*:
— Flammable; very toxic; respiratory, circulatory or cardiac damage
— Skin irritant- causes swelling, burning, peeling and hives.
Sodium hypochlorite
— Corrosive; irritates or burns skin, eyes; may cause pulmonary edema or vomiting and coma if ingested
6. Drain Cleaner
Sodium or Potassium hydroxide (lye):
— Highly caustic- burns skin and eyes.
— If ingested will burn esophagus and stomach.
Hydrochloric Acid:
— Corrosive- to eyes, skin and lungs.
— Damages kidneys, liver and digestive tract.
Trichloromethane:
— Nervous-system depressant.
— Damages liver and kidneys.
— Eye and skin irritant.
7. Floor Cleaner/Wax
Diethylene glycol:
— Causes central nervous-system damage and depression.
— Causes kidney and liver lesions.
Petroleum Solvents:
— Linked to skin and lung cancer.
— Irritant to skin, eyes, nose, throat and lungs.
8. Laundry Detergent
Sodium Silicate powdered):
— Corrosive. Burns eyes and tissue. Damages skin.
— Burns to the mouth, throat, and stomach if swallowed.
Sodium Sulfate (powdered):
— Corrosive, Severe eye, skin, and respiratory irritant. Can cause asthma attacks.
Thisodium Nitrilotriacetate:
— Known carcinogen.
Sodium hypochlorite- (type of powdered chlorine)
— May interfere with development and growth of a fetus or child.
— Causes damage to liver, kidneys, blood, heart, and immune and respiratory systems.
Triethylene glycol (liquid):
— Toxic; causes central nervous system depression and degenerative lesions in liver and kidneys.
Sodium dodecylbenzene sulfonate (heavy-duty):
— Highly toxic- irreversible effects.
— Causes eye burns.
— Causes skin and respiratory tract damage.
— Limited evidence as a carcinogen.
— Long-term adverse effects in water eco-system.
9. Oven Cleaner
Sodium or Potassium hydroxide (lye)
— Highly caustic- burns skin and eyes.
— Inhibits reflexes.
— Poisonous if ingested due to severe tissue burns and damage.
10. Toilet Bowl Cleaner/
Tub & Tile Cleaner
“Active" acids:
— Acid-based products can cause SEVERE burns skin. Can permanently damage eyes.
— Damages lungs.
Ammonia:
— Damaging to eyes, mucus membranes, respiratory tract and skin.
— Causes headaches.
— Poisonous fumes when mixed white chlorine chemicals like bleach
Hydrochloric or Phosphoric Acid:
— Burn skin.
— Burn stomach if swallowed.
— Blindness if splashed in eyes.
— Damages kidneys and liver.
Paradichlorobenzene:
— Known carcinogen.
— Causes birth defects, liver, kidney and brain damage.
— Builds up in the body.
2-butoxy ethanol (solvent):
— Absorbed through the skin and can cause blood changes.
— Considered an environmental hazard by EPA.
Sodium acid sulfate:
— Poisonous.
— Corrosive (strong acid)- burns skin and eyes from contact or exposure
— Ingestion may be fatal.
11. Window Cleaner
Ammonia:
— Damaging to eyes, mucus membranes, respiratory tract and skin.
— Causes headaches.
— Poisonous fumes when mixed white chlorine chemicals like bleach
Ammonium Hydroxide:
— Poisonous
— Corrosive; vapor extremely irritable to skin, eyes, and respiratory passages; ingestion causes tissue burns
Diethylene glycol:
— Toxic.
— Causes central nervous system depression and damage.
— Causes degenerative lesions in liver and kidneys
2-Butoxyethanol (solvent):
— Absorbed through the skin and can cause blood changes.
— Considered an environmental hazard by EPA
12. All-Purpose Cleaner/ Degreaser
Ammonia:
— Damaging to eyes, mucus membranes, respiratory tract and skin.
— Causes headaches.
— Poisonous fumes when mixed white chlorine chemicals like bleach
Phenols*:
— Flammable; very toxic; respiratory, circulatory or cardiac damage
— Skin irritant- causes swelling, burning, peeling and hives.
2-butoxy ethanol:
— Easily absorbed through skin.
— Linked to cancer; kidney and liver damage.
— Toxic to nervous system. Causes reproductive disorders, including pregnancy problems and testicular atrophy.†
* Have you heard of Phenols? Phenols are now being linked to A.D.D., A.D.H.D., asthma, allergies, autism, breast cancer and the list goes on. Do you want to increase your chances of getting one of these diseases? Chemicals like Dioxin and Phenols are introduced into your body from personal care products, like shampoo, toothpaste, shaving cream, laundry soap, household cleansers and dish soap. What can you do to reduce your risks? Eliminate or reduce the use of toxic chemicals in your home.
** Do you know what Dioxin is? Most of us do, but did you know that dioxins include 219 different chemicals and is 500,000 times more deadly than DDT? Did you know that Dioxin exposure is a key factor in cancers and other health problems, like endometriosis and fertility issues?
SOURCES:
(1) North Carolina Cooperative Extension Service Publication Number: HE-368-1 Department of Environmental Quality Engineering, Division of Hazardous Waste and the University of Massachusetts, Department of Health and Safety
(2) EPA- Inert Ingredients in Pesticide Products; Policy Statement; Revision and Modification of Lists
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| Phenols are now being linked to A.D.D., A.D.H.D., asthma, allergies, autism, breast cancer and the list goes on. Do you want to increase your chances of getting one of these diseases? Chemicals like Dioxin and Phenols are introduced into your body from personal care products, like shampoo, toothpaste, shaving cream, laundry soap, household cleansers and dish soap. What can you do to reduce your risks? Eliminate or reduce the use of toxic chemicals in your home. |
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