Hazardous Household Products - Handout 2 - Hazardous Household Products

Product Type	Possible Ingredients	Potential Hazards
Air fresheners and deodorizers	Formaldehyde	Toxic; carcinogen; irritant to eyes, nose, throat and skin; may cause nausea, headaches, nose bleeds, dizziness, memory loss, and shortness of breath
Antifreeze	Ethylene glycol	Very toxic; 3 ounces can be fatal to adult; damage to cardiovascular system, blood, skin and kidneys
	Methano	Moderately toxic; ingestion may cause coma, respiratory damage
Bleach	Sodium hypochlorite	Corrosive; irritates or burns skin, eyes, respiratory tract; may cause pulmonary edema or vomiting and coma if ingested; contact with other chemicals may cause chlorine fumes
Car Wax, Polish	Petroleum distillates	Associated with skin and lung cancer; irritant to skin, eyes, nose, lungs; entry into lungs may cause fatal pulmonary edema
Disinfectants	Sodium hypochlorite	Corrosive; irritates or burns skin, eyes; may cause pulmonary edema or vomiting and coma if ingested
	Phenols	Flammable; very toxic; respiratory, circulatory or cardiac damage
	Ammonia	Vapor irritating to eyes, respiratory tract and skin; possible chronic irritation
Drain Cleaner	Sodium or potassium hydroxide (lye)	Caustic; irritant; inhibits reflexes; burns skin, poisonous if swallowed due to severe tissue damage
	Hydrochloric acid	Corrosive, irritant; damage to kidney, liver and digestive system
	Trichloromethane	Irritant to nose and eyes; central nervous -system depression, liver and kidney damage if ingested
Flea Powder	Carbaryl	Very toxic; interferes with human nervous -system; may cause skin, respiratory system, cardiovascular system damage
	Dichlorophene	Skin irritation; may damage liver, kidney, spleen and central nervous system
	Chlordane and other chlorinated hydrocarbons	Very slow biodegradation; accumulates in food chain; may damage eyes, lungs, liver, kidneys and skin
Floor Cleaner/Wax	Diethylene Glycol	Toxic, causes central nervous system depression and kidney and liver lesions
	Petroleum Solvents	Highly flammable; associated with skin and lung cancer, irritant to skin, eyes, nose, throat, lungs
	Ammonia	Vapor irritation to eyes, respiratory tract and skin; possible chronic irritation
Furniture Polish	Petroleum distillates or Mineral spirits	Highly flammable, moderately toxic; associated with skin and lung cancer; irritant to skin, eyes, nose, throat and lungs; entry into lungs may cause pulmonary edema
Oven Cleaner	Sodium or potassium hydroxide (lye)	Caustic; irritant, inhibits reflexes; burns to skin, eyes; poisonous if swallowed due to severe tissue damage
Paint Thinner	Chlorinated aliphatic hydrocarbons	Slow decomposition; liver and kidney damage
	Esters	Toxicity varies with specific chemical; causes eye, nose and throat irritation and anesthesia
	Alcohols	Volatile and flammable; eye, nose and throat irritation
	Chlorinated aromatic hydrocarbons	Flammable; toxicity varies with specific chemical; may cause respiratory ailments
	Ketones	Flammable; skin irritant; benzene is a -carcinogen; possible liver and kidney damage
Paints	Aromatic hydrocarbon thinners	Flammable; skin irritant; benzene is a -carcinogen; possible liver and kidney damage
	Mineral spirits	Highly flammable; skin, eye, nose, throat, lung irritant; very high air concentrations may cause unconsciousness, death
Motor Oil / Gasoline	Petroleum hydrocarbons (benzene)	Highly flammable; associated with skin and lung cancer; irritant to skin, eyes, nose, throat, lungs; pulmonary edema; benzene is a carcinogen
	Lead	Damage to digestive, genitourinary, neuro-muscular and central nervous system; anemia and brain damage
Spot Removers	Perchlorethylene or trichloromethane	Slow decomposition; liver and kidney damage; perchlorethylene is suspected carcinogen
	Ammonium hydroxide	Corrosive; vapor extremely irritable to skin, eyes and respiratory passages; ingestion causes tissue burns
	Sodium hypochlorite	Corrosive; irritates skin, eyes, respiratory tract; may cause pulmonary edema and skin burns
Toilet Bowl Cleaner	Sodium acid sulfate, oxalate or hypochloric acid	Corrosive; burns from skin contact or inhalation; ingestion may be fatal
	Chlorinated phenols	Flammable; very toxic; respiratory, circulatory or cardiac damage
Window Cleaners	Diethylene glycol	Toxic; causes central nervous system depression and degenerative lesions in liver and -kidneys
	Ammonia	Vapor irritating to eyes, respiratory tract and skin; possible chronic irritation
Wood Stain / Varnish	Mineral spirits, gasoline	Highly flammable; associated with skin and lung cancer; irritant to skin, eyes, nose, throat, lungs; entry into lungs may cause fatal pulmonary edema
	Benzene	Flammable; carcinogen; accumulates in fat, bone marrow and liver tissues
	Lead	Damage to digestive genitourinary, neuro-muscular and central nervous system; anemia and brain damage

Pictures of chickens, flowers, wheat, a boy looking through a magnifying glass, irrigation pipe, soybean pods, and fruits and vegetables.	Cooperative Extension Service





Cooperative Extension Service	Agricultural Experiment Station
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2002 Volunteer Leader Training Guide Hazardous Household Products Handout 2

2002 Volunteer Leader Training Guide
Hazardous Household Products
Handout 2