Household Products
- Indoor Air Quality - Introduction
- Combustion Pollutants
- Household Products
- Second Hand Smoke
- Formaldehyde
- Mold
- Radon
- Resources
Household Products
What are they?
- Paints
- Solvents
- Air fresheners
- Dishwasher/washing machine detergents
- Drain, toilet bowl, antibacterial, oven, mold and mildew cleaners
- Antibacterial Cleaners
- Other toxic cleaning products
- Pesticides
Effects
Many common household cleaners and home
improvement products contain ingredients that
are corrosive, toxic, or flammable. When used
improperly or disposed of improperly, these
products can become personal health and safety
concerns and can also cause problems in the
environment, contaminating ground water and
soil and eventually reaching surface waters.
See Recycling: Household Hazardous Wastes.
What you can do
- Always read product labels and follow instructions carefully
- Whenever possible buy products that don’t have toxic ingredients
- Make sure the area is well ventilated when using toxic chemicals.
- Substitute non-toxic household products like baking soda or vinegar. They are cheaper and friendlier to the environment.
- Store hazardous household chemicals in their original containers, in well ventilated areas, with similar products to reduce any danger from reactions if containers should leak, and high on shelves or in locked cabinets away from children.
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