Home Hazardous Material
Home hazardous material are around us during everyday activities. You can find these products around your house, like household cleaners, paints, and even aerosol cans. Many people do not realize that many products they purchase have hazardous constituents. Each item that contains a hazardous material should not be thrown in the general trash. Rather it should be brought to a household hazardous waste clean-out day, usually your local town or business will host one. The following are five places you will find home hazardous materials.
-
Garage
In some cases, the garage becomes the dumping station for items that are not used every day and therefore collect over time. Also, the garage is a great place to store fluids for our vehicles such as:
Antifreeze- Ethylene Glycol; Poisonous if swallowed.
Motor Oil- Combustible.
Windshield Washer Fluid- Methanol; Flammable.
-
Kitchen
The kitchen is a common place to store chemicals, especially under the sink. Most chemicals that are used to disinfect and clean surfaces are quite harmful and contain some questionable chemicals.
All Purpose Cleaner- Ammonia-based; Fumes can be dangerous.
Drain Cleaner- Sulfuric Acid; Can burn skin.
Oven Cleaner, Dishwashing Detergents, Antibacterial Cleaners- Ammonia, Sodium Hydroxide, Phosphates; Caustic and irritants.
-
Laundry Room
Who would know that products to clean clothing and stain removers can be toxic or if swallowed or corrosive upon contact with skin.
Laundry Detergent- Catatonic, If swallowed causes nausea, shock, and vomiting.
Bleach- Sodium Hypochlorite; Corrosive to skin
-
Bathroom
Potentially dangerous chemicals can lurk in the cabinets of the bathroom and have active ingredients that are hazardous chemicals. It is important to follow the safety instructions of a product to ensure your safety.
Air Fresheners- Formaldehyde; Irritant.
Toilet Bowl Cleaners- Sodium Bisulfate, Hydrochloric Acid, and Phenol; Corrosive and poisonous.
Antibacterial Cleaners- Ammonia, Cresol, Phenol; poisonous
-
Outdoors
Nothing is worse when trying to get a perfect lawn, a clean pool, or a handle on bug control. The products to fight these problems in small doses are irritants, but be careful how much you or how often you use them. If the concentration is too high there could be a detrimental outcome, with possible blindness and respiratory infections.
Week Killers- Diquat: Irritant
Insecticides- DEET, Carbamates; Irritants
Pool Chemicals- Sodium Hypochlorite: Corrosive
To prevent the harmful effects of home hazardous material be sure to read the safety data sheets for products, follow the personal protective equipment guidelines, and use these chemicals in moderation. When possible consider using natural products which do not use hazardous chemicals and are not harmful to your household.