Collectively, these materials can contami- nate our drinking water if they are not stored carefully and disposed of properly. In addi- tion to poisoning our water, inappropriate use and disposal of hazardous household products can cause injuries, poisoning and air pollution.

• Ignitable - capable of burning or causing a fire
• Corrosive - capable of eating away materials and destroying living tissue when contact occurs
• Explosive and/orReaction - can cause an explosion or release poisonous fumes when exposed to air, water or other chemicals
• Toxic - poisonous, either immediately (acutely toxic) or over a long period of time (chronically toxic)
• Radioactive - can damage and destroy cells and chromosomal material (known to cause cancer, mutations and fetal harm)

A statement telling you how to avoid the hazard must appear with safe use instructions. Examples might be KEEP OUT OF REACH OF CHILDREN or USE IN A WELL-VENTILATED AREA.

As a consumer you should make it a habit to read hazardous product labels. These labels must include the following information:

1. Brand Name
2. Common and/or Chemical Name (Example: sodium hypochlorite or bleach)
3. Amount of Contents (example: 16 oz.)
4. Signal Word - Danger, Poison, Warning or Caution
5. Instructions for Safe Handling and Use (example: recommended amount to use)
6. Name and Address of Manufacturer, Distributor, Packer or Seller
7. Description of Hazard and Precautions (example: Irritant to skin and eyes, harmful if swallowed)
8. First Aid Instructions, when necessary or appropriate (example: If swallowed, feed milk).

Regulations concerning pesticides are diffierent. On pesticides, the word "warning" means that the product is moderately toxic. This means thatone teaspoon toone ounce can kill an average adult. The word "caution" means that the product is slightly toxic. It would take over one ounce to kill an average adult.

There are other concerns about labels, as well. Some products contain ingredients that have not been of ficially recognized by the federal government as hazardous but still are cause for concern. "Inert" ingredients are chemicals added as "carriers" for the active ingredients in cleaners and pesticides. Only the percentage of inert ingredients are required on the label, not their identity. Some inert ingredients are hazardous.

There is no standardized list of chemical names. Many chemicals have numerous trade and/or scientific names. This makes it hard for you to compare products. Antidotes listed on the label may be incomplete, out-of-date, or even dangerously wrong. According to a 1984 report by the National Academy of Sciences, less than 2 percent of all new and existing chemicals have been tested sufficiently to allow a complete health hazard assessment.

Also, many labels do not tell you how to dispose of a product safely.

The use of the term "non-toxic" is for advertising only. It has no regulatory definition by the federal government.

It is very important that you know as much as possible about products before you use them so that you can adequately protect yourself. If a product label does not provide ingredients or adequate instructions on safe use, look for another product that has a more complete label.

• Automotzve products which are hazardous include motor oil, brake and transmission fluid, antifreeze and car batteries, gasoline, kerosene, diesel fuel, and car wax with solvent.
• Household cleaners include drain cleaners, oven clean- ers, toilet cleaners, spot removers, silver polishes, furniture polishes, cleansers and powdered cleaners, window cleaners, bleach, liquid cleaners, dyes.
• Paints and solvents include latex, oil-based, auto and model paint, paint stripper, primer, rust remover, turpentine, varnish, wood preservative, mineral spirits, glues.
• Pesticides. (For more information on pesticides, see How to Choose and Use Household Insecticides, AG-392, by R.C. Hillmann.)

Other hazardous products include: aerosol products, dry cell and disc or button batteries, hearing aid batteries, moth balls and flakes, shoe polish, photographic chemicals, smoke detectors and air fresheners and deodorizers.

Let's take a closer look at hazardous ingredients and their effects on people. Study the information in the following chart.

Product Type           Possible Ingredients               Potential Hazards

Air fresheners         Formaldehyde                        Toxic; carcinogen; irritant to eyes, nose, throat and skin; may cause nausea,
and deodorizers                                            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
                       Methanol                            Moderately toxic; ingestion may cause coma. respiratorv damage

Bleach                 Sodium hypochlorite                 Corrosive; irritates or burns skin, eyes, respiratory tract; may cause pulmo-
                                                           nary 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 orburns skin, eyes; may cause pulmonary edema. or vom-
					                   iting 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	           Caustic; irritant; inhibits reflexes; burns to skin, poisonous if
		       hydroxide (Iye)	                   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	           Very slow biodegradation; accumulates in food chain; may dam-
                       chlorinated hydrocarbons            age eyes, lungs, liver, kidneys and skin

Floor Cleaner/Wax      Diethylene Glycol                   Toxic, causes central nervous system depression and kidney,
						           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	           Highly flammable, moderately toxic, associated with skin and
		       Mineral spirits		           lung cancer, irritant to skin, eyes, nose, throat, lungs, entry into
						           lungs may cause pulmonary edema

Over Cleaner	       Sodium or potassium	           Caustic; irritant, inhibits reflexes; burns to skin, eyes; poisonous
		       hydroxide (Iye)		           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; plumonary edema; benzene is a
							   carcinogen
		       Lead				   Damage to digestive, genitourinary, neuro-muscular and central
							   nervous system; anemia and brain damage 


Spot Removers	       Perchlorethylene or                 Slow decomposition; liver and kidney damage; perchlorethylene
                       trichloromethane		           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 pul-
						           monary edema and skin burns

Toilet Bowl Cleaner    Sodium acid sulfate, oxalate or     Corrosive; burns from skin contact or inhalation; ingestion may be
		       hypochloric acid		           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; accurnulates in fat, bone narrow, liver
						           tissues
                       Lead			           Damage to digestive genitourinary, neuro-muscular and central nerv-
						           ous sytem; anemia and brain damage

1. The potential health hazards in this table are symptoms of acute poisoning and may be experienced as a result of high exposure or direct ingestion.
2. This table has been reviewed for accuracy by the Department of Environmental Quality Engineering, Division of Hazardous Waste and the University of Massachusetts, Department of Health and Safety.
3. Reaction to products may vary depending on length of exposure and concentration of the product and individual sensitivity to certain chemicals.

Toxins can be ingested by eating or drinking hazard- ous substances or contaminated food and water. Ingestion is a major cause of poisoning in children 6 and under. Keep the hazardous products out of the reach of children and in a locked area.

When you are working with hazardous products, avoid putting anything in your mouth. Don't eat, don't smoke, don't drink, don't even place things that enter your mouth in the work area. When you're finished remove any contaminated clothing and wash your hands (and other exposed body parts) with soap and water. Then you can put something in your mouth.

Toxins can be inhaled. Gases, vapors, and sprays pass directly through the lungs and enter the blood. That is why good ventilation is essential. When you are working inside, use a fan to direct air away from the work area to open windows. Air conditioners do not provide sufficient ventilation since they recirculate air, even when set on "vent." Thus they do not remove contaminants. If you can smell a toxic chemical, your ventilation is not sufElcient (although some harmful chemicals have no odor). Use a mask or rcspirator to protect yourself.

Toxins can be absorbed through the skin. Hazardous products containing irritants or corrosives will injure the skin and then are absorbed. Some hazardous chemical can be absorbed without causing any damage to the skin. Wear gloves and/or pretective clothing. Your eyes also are vulnerable to injury. Many hazardous products can cause eye damage if splashed into the eye. Oven cleaners, drain cleaners, and paint thinners are just three examples.

Wear goggles when working with these products. Regular eyeglasses do not provide enough protection. Do not wear contact lenses (especially soft lenses) when working with hazardous products. The lenses absorb the vapors and then hold the irlitant against your eye. Safety goggles are inexpensive and can be purchased at hardware, automotive supply and farm equipment stores.

When you go shopping for products, your selection can be your first step toward minimizing danger. Follow these guidelines:

• Read the label. Make sure you want the product. Are the ingredients safe to use in and around your home?
• Make sure the product will do the job you need to have done.
• Buy the least hazardous product for the job. Let the signal words (Poison, Danger, Warning, Caution) be your guide.
• Check the label to see if a product has several uses. Then you can avoid buying a different product for each job.
• Avoid aerosol products. Aerosol products may contain hazardous or toxic propellants, and the fine mist that they produce may be more easily inhaled. Pressurized cans cause problems or explode when they are crushed, punctured or burned.
• Make sure you know how to properly dispose of the container.
• Remember, the word "non-toxic" is for adverlising only. It does not mean the product meets any federal regulations for non-toxicity.

Use it safely . . .

It may be impossible to totally eliminate hazardous products in your home. The following guidelines will help you when using hazardous products to keep your home and environment safe.

• Read the directions on the label and follow them. Twice as much doesn't mean twice the results.
• Use the product only for the tasks listed on the label.
• Wear protective equipment recommended by the manufacturer.
• Handle the product carefully to avoid spills and splashing. Close the lid as soon as the product is used. This will control vapors and reduce chances of spills. Secure lids tightly.
• Use products in well-ventilated areas to avoid inhaling fumes. Work outdoors if possible. When working indoors, open windows. Use a fan to circulate the air toward the outside. Take plenty of fresh-air breaks. If you feel dizzy, headachy or nauseous take a break and go outside.
• Do not eat, drink or smoke while using hazardous products. Traces of hazardous chemicals can be carried from hand to mouth. Smoking can start a fire if the product is flammable.
• Do not mix products unless directions indicate that you can safely do so. This can cause explosive or poisonous chemical reactions. Even different brands of the same product may contain incompatible ingredients.
• Use it all up.
• If pregnant, avoid toxic chemical exposure as much as possible. Many toxic products have not been tested for their effect on unborn infants.
• Avoid wearing soft contact lenses when working with solvents and pesticides. They can absorb vapors and hold the chemical near your eyes.
• Carefully and tightly seal products when you have finished. Escaping fumes can be harmful and spills can occur.

Store it safely in your home . . .

• Follow label directions for proper storage conditions.
• Leave the product in its original container with original label attached.
• Never store hazardous products in food or beverage containers.
• Make sure lids and caps are tightly sealed.
• Store hazardous products on high shelves or in locked cabinets out of reach of children and animals.
• Store incompatibles separately Keep flammables away from corrosives.
• Store volatile products—those that warn of vapors and fumes in a well-ventilated area, out of reach of children and pets.
• Keep containers dry to prevent corrosion.
• Store rags used with flammable products (furniture stripper, paint remover, etc.) in a sealed marked container.
• Keep flammable products away from heat, sparks or sources of anything that could ignite them.
• Know where flammable materials in your home are located and know how to extinguish them.

• Make infommed decisions about the selection, use and storage of hazardous products.
• Remember hazardous products may be: flammable, explosive/reactive, corrosive/caustic, toxic/poisonous or reactive.
• Leam to read the labels. Look for the signal words. POISON means highly toxic. DANGER means extremely flammable or corrosive or highly toxic. WARNING or CAUTION means less toxic.
• Lastly, use common sense when using and storing hazardous products to decrease the potential health hazards and pollution.

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