Household products can contain hazardous ingredients such as organic solvents and petroleum based chemicals which can release volatile organic compounds (VOC's) into your indoor environment. Some ingredients in household cleaners are known to cause cancer in animals and are suspected human carcinogens. EPA's Total Exposure Assessment Methodology (TEAM) studies found levels of about 12 common organic pollutants to be 2 to 5 times higher inside your home than outside. It was also found by TEAM that while people are using products with organic chemicals, they may be exposing themselves to high concentrations of pollutants which may persist in the indoor environment long after the period the product use is completed.


Household hazardous products have a negative impact on our health and the environment in at least 3 ways:

Usage - Their use may release toxic and hazardous vapors into the indoor air which may be unhealthy for our families.

Manufacture - The purchase of potentially hazardous products creates a demand for toxic chemicals which contributes to environmental pollution due to the development, manufacture and transportation of these chemicals.

Disposal - When hazardous products are used, they are releasing chemicals into the ground and wastewater stream which may contaminate our groundwater and present a problem to wastewater treatment facilities. Most often hazardous products are not disposed of properly and are landfilled or incinerated where they release their toxins to the environment.


Household products include cleaners, fresheners, laundry products, drain cleaners, dishwashing detergents, carpet shampoos, polishes and pesticides. Exposure to toxic household hazardous chemicals from ingestion, inhalation or skin contact can produce acute (immediate) or chronic (long term) health effects such as:

Headaches

Fatigue

Allergic Reactions

Chemical Sensitivity

Cardiac Damage

Nervous System Damage

Burning Eyes

Skin Rashes

Runny Nose

Cancer

Respiratory Tract Irritant

Liver and Kidney Damage


We can not assume the conventional household products we buy at the local department store is a healthy and environmentally responsible product because of its availability. Product label information addresses acute (immediate) effects only and no warnings or discussion of long term health impacts of the products, such as cancer, is required. These common household products are also not required to disclose "inert" ingredients which can very hazardous and toxic.

When considering the purchase of household products, select products that have less toxic, renewable and natural ingredients and are packaged responsibly. The purchase of these products supports companies that help minimize the impact of using these products on your health and the environment.



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