What Are They?
The household cleaning agents, personal care products, pesticides, paints, hobby products, and solvents that make our lives so easy are also sources of hundreds of potentially harmful chemicals. The range of household products that contain potentially harmful substances that contribute to indoor air pollution is wide-reaching and diverse. Some of these products release contaminants into the air right away; others do so gradually, over a period of time. The harmful components in many household and personal care products can cause dizziness, nausea, allergic reactions, and eye, skin, and respiratory tract irritation; some can cause cancer. When you use these products, make sure that you are in an area with adequate ventilation.
What Are The Problems?
Contamination from household products, if limited to low levels for short periods of time, does not pose a serious health threat. However, contamination can occur over a long period of time from a variety of sources, and harmful effects can occur. Where there is prolonged exposure and where there is a possible multiplying effect from the presence of contamination from many different products, the effects can be serious, even fatal.
There are four basic rules to follow when using hazardous household products; 1) Whenever possible, avoid using hazardous household products. Use nontoxic alternatives instead. 2) When purchasing household products, buy only as much as you need; do not buy bulk quantities. Store hazardous products and materials carefully. 3) Dispose of hazardous products carefully. 4) Always read the product label and follow manufacturer instructions. 5) Minimize exposure when using hazardous products.
Other products covered in the Indoor Air Pollution Fact Sheet include, phosphate detergents, spot removers and dry cleaning fluids, oven cleaners, furniture and floor polish, paints, air fresheners, moth repellants, hobby materials: photography, metalwork, clay and stone, epoxy, and more.
To obtain a pamphlet containing more household products and their associated risks, or for more information about hazardous household products or about indoor air pollution in general, contact your local American Lung Association. Call 1-800-LUNG-USA (1-800-586-4872). |
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