|
green cleaning:
labeled and unlabeled hazardous household products
So many common household products are dangerously toxic and hazardous to our health and the environment. The average home has between 3 and 10 gallons of hazardous products [1]. There are a flock of safe, green products to get any job done! So, be aware and choose wisely.
reading labels:
what they say and don’t say
Reading labels is a healthy habit.
Regrettably a lot of the most toxic household products are not labeled clearly as such, nor are some of the most dangerous ingredients listed.
Though the Federal Hazardous Substances Act of 1960 established labeling requirements for hazardous substances, some of the worst stuff does not even list ingredients, just a toll-free number to call for more info (none too convenient!).
If a product label does not provide ingredients or adequate instructions on safe use, look for another product that has a more complete label.
what labels say
There are certain words and warnings to look out for.
Levels of hazards can be identified as follows:
DANGER- contains ingredients that are extremely flammable, corrosive or highly toxic
POISON- contains deadly substances that are highly toxic
WARNING or CAUTION- contains substances that are moderately or slightly toxic
signal words- hazardous to health
any of these warnings are a telltale indication of dangerous ingredients:
Corrosive – capable of eating away and destroying materials and living tissue like skin on contact
Explosive / Reaction / Reactive – Can cause and explosion, release poisonous fumes or chemical reaction when exposed to air, water or other chemicals (like mixing ammonia and bleach causes deadly, poisonous fumes)
Toxic – extremely poisonous. Immediately (acutely toxic) or over a period of time (chronically toxic)
what labels don’t say (and solutions)
Label info is directed at immediate or “acute” effects only.
— Solution: Avoid products with ingredients that cause said effects
Long-term or “chronic” effects and hazards are not disclosed (such as cancer or birth defects)- yikes!
— Solution: Choose products with known safe ingredients
Newer products are required to label hazards, older products may not be
— Solution: Choose products with complete ingredient list
There is no federal standardized list of chemical names- many have several trade and/or scientific names
— Solution: Choose products with ingredients you can identify
According to the National Academy of Sciences, less than 2% of all chemicals have been sufficiently tested for complete health hazard assessment
— Solution: Use products with known safe ingredients
smart shopping guidelines
Asses the job- select the right kind of product for it (Soap, vinegar and/or baking soda can be just as effective as expensive specialty products)
Read the label front and back
— Good words to see- bio-degradable, Phosphate-free, Chlorine-free, No Petroleum Distillates
— Look for signal words: Poison, Warning, Caution
— The word “non-toxic” can be misleading and has no federal regulations for non-toxicity
Look at ingredient list
— any word you don’t understand or is not explained in parenthesis can be hazardous
— If there is not a list, choose another product
Avoid Aerosol products- they contain hazardous toxic propellants that are easily inhaled
Stick to brands you trust when you find them – check out the Resource Guide for Green Cleaning products.
Source Note:
[1] Water Quality and Waste Management- North Carolina Cooperative Extension- Publication Number: HE-368-1 |
|
toxic window cleaner
Avoid Aerosol products- they contain hazardous toxic propellants that are easily inhaled
Good words to see: bio-degradable, Phosphate-free, Chlorine-free, No Petroleum Distillates |
look at your labels!
|
