Many scientists and doctors are discovering that there is a connection between our increased use of household chemicals and the increased incidence of chronic illnesses in children like cancer, asthma, ADD, birth defects, and a host of other problems.

The typical home contains 63 products containing hazardous chemicals. Cancer, ADD, birth defects, asthma, infertility, miscarriage and other profound health problems have all been linked to chemicals in these common household products.

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.

KILLER HOUSEHOLD CHEMICALS

AIR FRESHENERS: Most air fresheners or linen mists are manufactured in aerosol cans, some of which contain ingredients like chlorofluorocarbons that, when released in the air, pollute the environment, and can be harmful to your health and destroys the ozone layer in the earth's upper atmosphere. No longer used in aerosol products manufactured in the USA. Most air fresheners interfere with your ability to smell by coating your nasal passages with an oil film, or by releasing a nerve-deadening agent. Known toxic chemicals found in an air freshener: Formaldehyde: Highly toxic, known carcinogen. Phenol: When phenol touches your skin it can cause it to swell, burn, peel, and break out in hives. Can cause cold sweats, convulsions, circulatory collapse, coma and even death!!

DISINFECTANTS: Disinfectants may contain one or more of the following hazardous substances: ammonia, cationic detergents, cresol, lye, phenol, pine oil. Please refer to these compounds for specific health hazards associated with these ingredients.

AMMONIA: It is a very volatile chemical; it is very damaging to your eyes, respiratory tract and skin. It can cause burns or rashes on skin; can produce deadly chloramine gas if mixed with chlorine containing products.

BLEACH: It is a strong corrosive. It will irritate or burn the skin, eyes and respiratory tract. It may cause pulmonary edema or vomiting and coma if ingested. WARNING: never mix bleach with ammonia it may cause fumes which can be DEADLY.

DISHWASHER DETERGENTS: Toxic and poisonous to ingest, causing nausea and in extreme cases - coma.

Automatic Dishwashing Detergent - Phosphates contribute to algae growth and the destruction of natural aquatic wildlife. Most automatic dishwashing detergents are alkaline with pH values of 10.5 to 12.0. These products may be classified as irritants or corrosives depending upon their composition, concentration, and physical form. Skin irritation or burns may occur following exposure to dissolved detergents. Toxicity may range from mild tissue causes severe burns. The fact that automatic dishwashing detergents contain phosphate causes environmental concerns.

Hand Dishwashing Detergent - These products are intended for the hand washing of dishes. Hand dishwashing detergents are much less toxic than automatic dishwashing detergents. Hand dishwashing detergents are combinations of anionic and nonionic detergents, glycols, alcohols, and salts. Exposure to the membranes of the mouth, throat, and gastrointestinal tract may be irritating but not caustic. Anionic and nonionic detergents are not well absorbed, and no toxic dose has been established. Hand dishwashing detergents are generally considered low in toxicity.

CRESOL: A highly caustic, colorless solid or liquid with a sweet tarry odor, is used mainly as a disinfectant. Cresol is very corrosive to all tissues. When it comes in contact with the skin it may not produce any burning sensation immediately. Prickling and intense burning will occur followed by loss of feeling. If cresol contacts the eyes it may cause extensive damage. Cresol vapors and liquids are absorbed through inhalation and eye and skin contact.

Repeated or prolonged exposure to low concentrations of cresol can produce chronic systemic poisoning. Symptoms of poisoning include vomiting, difficulty in swallowing, diarrhea, and loss of appetite, headache, fainting, dizziness, mental disturbance and skin rash. Cresol attacks the central nervous system, respiratory system, liver, kidneys, skin and eyes.

LYE: Also known as caustic soda, sodium hydroxide, potassium hydroxide, and caustic potash, is commonly used in drain cleaner, oven cleaner, and in some monophosphate detergents. Lye is extremely caustic. Its chemical action eats away materials (including skin tissue). Contact with skin or mucous membranes causes burns and frequently deep ulcerations with scarring. Mists, vapors, and dust can cause small burns. Eye contact causes severe damage, including blindness.

PHENOL: Also known as carbolic acid, is flammable, corrosive, and very toxic. Phenol compounds have a distinct odor and are used in disinfectants, deodorizers, paints, and as anesthetic for skin. Ingestion of even small amounts may cause vomiting, circulatory collapse, paralysis, convulsions, and coma. Light sensitivity and sinus congestion are common with exposure to fluids or vapors.

Fatal poising can occur through skin absorption. Phenol and related compounds rapidly denature all proteins they come in contact with, including skin. Severe burns may occur upon contact. A concentration of 1% phenol, used to prevent itching from insect bites and sunburn, applied over several hours, was reported to cause gangrene in one individual. Skin ulcerations, skin rashes, swelling, pimples, and hives have been widely reported.

PINE OIL: Is derived from steam distillation of wood from pine trees. It is a common agent used in many household disinfectants and deodorants and has also been used as a pure substance for its disinfectant properties. In general, pine oil in its concentrated form is a skin irritant and may cause allergic reactions. If swallowed, pine oil may be sucked into the lungs (aspirated), possibly resulting in chemical pneumonia.

PETROLEUM DISTILLATES: Irritates skin, eyes, respiratory tract; may cause fatal pulmonary edema; flammable.

NAPHTHAS: Inhalation causes drowsiness, headache, coma and cardiac arrest; irritate eyes, throat and skin.

ISOPROPYL ALCOHOL: Also known as isopropanol, is a colorless liquid with a pleasant odor. It is highly flammable. Isopropyl alcohol is found in alcohol sponges, cleaning agents, and rubbing alcohol (though some rubbing alcohols contain ethanol), and is a good disinfectant. Most rubbing alcohol contains 70% isopropyl alcohol.

FURNITURE POLISH: Petroleum Distillates: Highly flammable, can cause skin and lung cancer. Phenol: (see Air fresheners, Phenol.) Nitrobenzene: Easily absorbed through the skin, extremely toxic.

MOLD AND MILDEW CLEANERS: Chemicals contained are: Sodium hypochlorite: Corrosive, irritates or burns skin and eyes, causes fluid in the lungs which can lead to coma or death. Formaldehyde: Highly toxic, known carcinogen. Irritant to eyes, nose, throat, and skin. May cause nausea, headaches, nosebleeds, dizziness, memory loss and shortness of breath.

ANTIBACTERIAL CLEANERS: may contain: Triclosan: Absorption through the skin can be tied to liver damage. Health-care professionals have established that 80% of common infections are spread not through the air, via coughing or sneezing, but through our hands.

LAUNDRY ROOM PRODUCTS: Sodium or calcium hypocrite: Highly corrosive, irritates or burns skin, eyes or respiratory tract. Linear alkylate sulphonate: Absorbed through the skin. Known liver damaging agent. Sodium Tripolyphosphate: Irritates skin and mucous membranes, causes vomiting. Easily absorbed through the skin from clothes. The truth about phosphates: Phosphates can harm the environment in a number of ways. Phosphate production pollutes the air with a thick smog. Rivers and streams can be contaminated with phosphates, making water undrinkable for humans and unhealthy for aquatic life.

TOILET BOWL CLEANERS: Hydrochloric acid: Highly corrosive, irritant to both skin and eyes. Damages kidneys and liver. Hypochlorite Bleach: Corrosive, irritates or burns eyes, skin and respiratory tract. May cause pulmonary edema, vomiting or coma if ingested. Contact with other chemicals may cause chlorine fumes, which may be fatal.

OTHER NASTY THINGS THAT ARE AROUND YOUR HOME

LICE SHAMPOO: Especially vulnerable are children. Lindane: Inhalation, ingestion, or ABSORPTION through the SKIN causes vomiting, diarrhea, convulsions and circulatory collapse. May cause liver damage, stillbirths, birth defects and cancer.

TAR AND INSECT REMOVER: Contains XYLENE and PETROLEUM DISTILLATES.