Household chemicals

Source: Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.
A selection of common household chemicals such as Hot Shot insecticide, Kingsford charcoal, and Behold furniture polish.

Household chemicals are

consumer goods, designed particularly to assist cleaning, house and yard maintenance, cooking, pest control and general hygiene
purposes, often stored in the kitchen or garage.

washing powder and dishwasher detergents) make the classification of household chemicals more complex, especially in terms of health - some of these chemicals are irritants or potent allergens
- and ecological effects.

Together with non-compostable

corrosive substances.[1]

Purposes

Various household cleaning products have been developed to help remove dust and dirt, for surface maintenance, and for disinfection.

material safety data sheet.[4]

Disinfectants
stop smell and stains caused by bacteria.

Health & safety impacts

When multiple chemicals are applied to the same surface without full removal of the earlier substance, the chemicals may interact. This interaction may reduce the efficiency of the chemicals applied (such as a change in pH value caused by mixing alkalis and acids) and in some cases may even emit toxic fumes. An example of this is the mixing of ammonia-based cleaners (or acid-based cleaners) and bleach.[5] This causes the production of chloramines that volatilize (become gaseous), causing acute inflammation of the lungs (toxic pneumonia), long-term respiratory damage, and potential death.[6]

Residue from cleaning products and cleaning activity (dusting, vacuuming, sweeping) has been shown to worsen

polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons) to which gaseous or liquid particles can be adsorbed. The concentration of such particulate matter and chemical residual will highest immediately after cleaning, and will decrease over time depending upon levels of contaminants, air exchange rate, and other sources of chemical residual.[5] Of most concern are the family of chemicals called VOCs such as formaldehyde, toluene, and limonene.[7]

adsorbed by dust, which can also be inhaled.[2] Aerosolized (spray) cleaning products are important risk factors and may aggravate symptoms of adult asthma,[9] respiratory irritation,[2] childhood asthma, wheeze, bronchitis, and allergy.[8]

Other modes of exposure to potentially harmful household cleaning chemicals include absorption through the skin (dermis), accidental ingestion, and accidental splashing into the eyes. Products for the application and safe use of the chemicals are also available, such as nylon scrub sponges and rubber gloves.[10] It is up to consumers to keep themselves safe while using these chemicals. Reading and understanding the labels is important.

Chemicals used for cleaning toilets, sinks, and bathtubs can find their way into sewage water and can often not be effectively removed or filtered.

There is a growing consumer and governmental interest in

natural cleaning products and green cleaning methods. The use of nontoxic household chemicals is growing as consumers become more informed about the health effects of many household chemicals, and municipalities are having to deal with the expensive disposal of household hazardous waste (HHW).[11][12]

Examples

See also

References

  1. ^ "Guide for Handling Household Chemicals". Retrieved 2013-03-22.
  2. ^ a b c d Wolkoff P, Schneider T, Kildeso J, Degerth R, Jaroszewski, and Schunk H. Science of the Total Environment, 215, (1998) pg. 135–156
  3. ^ Kwon KD, Jo WK, Lim JH, and Jcong WS. Environ Sci Pollut Res 15, (2008) pg. 521–526
  4. ^ "Household Products Database". U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Retrieved 3 February 2015.
  5. ^ a b Nazaroff, WW., Weschler, CJ., Atmospheric Environment. 38 (2004) pg. 2841–2865
  6. ^ Reisz, GR., Gammon, RS. Toxic Pneumonitis from mixing household chemicals. CHEST 89 (1986) pg. 49–52
  7. ^ Burton, A. Environmental Health Perspectives – Indoor Air Quality. Vol. 115 #7 (2007) pg. 350
  8. ^ a b Raizenne M., Dales R., Burnett, R., Canadian Jour of Public Health. Air Pollution Exposures and Children's Health. Vol. 89, Suppl. 1 May–June 1998. pg. S43–48
  9. ^ a b Zock, JP., Plana, E., Jarvis D. et al. Am J Resipir Crit Care Medicine. Vol. 176. (2007) pg. 735–741
  10. ISBN 0-87596-509-1
    .
  11. ^ Adams, D., Werner, CM., Analyses of Social Issues and Public Policy. Changing Homeowners' Behaviors Involving Toxic Household Chemicals: A psychological, multilevel approach. (2001) pg. 1–32
  12. ^ Slack, RJ., Gronow, JR., Voulvoulis N. Science of the Total Environment. 337 (2005) 119–137

External links

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