In Canada, respiratory illness is now the leading cause of children's admissions to hospital. After injuries, cancer is the leading cause of death for 5-9 year old children. We cannot assume that simply because a product is on a store's shelf, that it has been tested and is safe. We need to check the list of ingredients as much as possible, although some products may not even list their ingredients at all. The use of antibacterial products and disinfectants may also increase your child's chances of developing asthma, allergies, eczema, and other auto-immune disorders. We can not overstate the importance of reading labels. Toxic chemicals are in products which display the following warning signs.



POISON AND DANGER--- indicate the highest hazard level. Such a product is highly toxic and could cause injury and death.
DANGER--- means a product is highly toxic, corrosive, or flammable. It could poison you, cause serious damage to your eyes and skin, or cause a fire.
WARNING  AND  CAUTION--- indicate that a product is toxic, corrosive, reactive, or flammable.



Obviously, a hazardous product must have at least one of the following properties:


. Toxic... Poisonous or causes long term illnesses such as cancer. The label states: "Harmful or fatal if swallowed." or "Use only in well-ventilated areas."
. Flammable... Burns easily. Label indicates "Do not use near heat or flame." "Combustible." "Do not smoke while using this product."
. Corrosive--- Eats through materials (for example, acid). Label states: "Causes severe burns on contact." "Can burn eyes, skin, throat."
. Reactive--- Can spontaneously ignite or create poisonous vapors when mixed with other products (NEVER  mix household products) or can explode when exposed to air, heat, water or shock. Very few of these products are still on the market, but, some of them may still be stored in homes.



Check your home for household products and ask yourself "Do we really need to use them, especially when there are young children around? You do have options. Either make your own products ( See List of Alternatives to Household Cleaners) for cleaning or buy products that do not contain toxic chemicals.


HERE  ARE  SOME  TOXIC  CHEMICALS THAT MAY BE FOUND IN YOUR HOUSEHOLD PRODUCTS.

. dimethyl benzyl ammoniun chloride --- a pesticide (eg. Chlorox Disinfecting Wipes)
. denatured alcohol--- may cause irritation of the eyes and mucous membranes and may cause central nervous system depression if inhaled or injected.
. silicone, butane, and propane gases (eg. Pledge)
. denatured ethanol--- (eg. Lysol Disinfectant Spray)
. methylene chloride--- found in paint strippers, aerosol spray paints and adhesive removers. Known to cause cancer in animals. It is converted to carbon monoxide in the body and can cause symptoms associated with carbon monoxide poisoning.
. benzene--- a known human carcinogen contained in tobacco smoke, home heating oil, stored fuels, paint supplies and automobile emissions in attached garages.
. perchloroethylene--- a chemical used in dry cleaning, and known to cause cancer (in lab studies) in rats.
. carbon monoxide--- an asphyxiant
. nitrogen dioxide and sulphur dioxide--- produced in kerosene heaters, unvented gas stoves and heaters, and tobacco smoke. Mainly irritants, they affect the mucosa of the eyes, nose, throat, and respiratory tract. Continued exposure can contribute to acute or chronic bronchitis.
. formaldehyde--- a volatile organic compound (VOC) pollutant and human carcinigen. It is used as a sealant on cabinets, paneling and other furnishings, as well as being used in permanent press fabrics, draperies and mattress ticking.
. sodium hypochlorite (bleach) --- used in swimming pools and as bleach in clothes. Ingestion may cause corrosion of mucous membranes, perforation of esophagus and stomach and larngeal edema; may lead to convulsions, coma, or death. Inhalation of mist or fumes can cause bronchial irritation, cough, difficult breathing, stomatitis, nausea, or pulmonary edema.
. sodium tripolyphosphate --- another water treatment chemical
. phenol--- a man-made chemical found in resins that are used in plywood adhesive, construction, automotive and appliance industries; and is used to make nylon and other synthetic fibers. It is also used in disinfectants. High concentrations can cause death if ingested, inhaled, or absorbed through the skin. Systemic absorption causes convulsions, as well as liver and kidney damage. Exposure has many symptoms including bloody diarrhea, dizziness, muscle aches and pain.
. petroleum distillates--- (VOC's) are hydrocarbon solvents produced from crude oil and include mineral spirits, kerosene, naphta, white spirits, and Stoddard solvent. They are used in the removal of grease, oil, tar, and waxes.
. nitrobenzene --- a chemical that is used to produce lubricating oils such as those used in motors and machinery; a small amount is used in the manufacture of dyes, pesticides, and synthetic rubber. Accidental ingestion and occupational exposure may cause haemolytic anaemia, methaemoglobinemia (a blood condition), and toxic hepatitis.
. ammonium hydroxide --- found in industrial solvents and cleaners, construction agents, flooring strippers, brick cleaners and cements. It may cause respiratory problems, severe pain in the throat, abdominal pain, and low blood pressure (hypotension).
. ammonia --- a respiratory irritant, dangerous; reacts with chlorine bleach to form toxic gas.
. mercury --- found in fluorescent lamps, jewelry, mercury fever thermometers, and thermostats containg mercury. It is also found in some large fish.
. VOC's --- Volatile organic compounds. They are emitted by products such as:
. scents and hairsprays
. rug and oven cleaners
. dry cleaning fluids
. building materials and home furnishings
. office equipment and products such as copiers, printers, correction fluids and carbonless copy paper
. graphics and craft materials including glues and adhesives, permanent markers, and photographic solutions
. older paints