The Hazardless Home Handbook A Guide to Hazardous Household Products and Eff ective Alternatives Read Labels – Look for Signal Words Signal word Meaning Toxicity Most Poison Highly toxic A few drops to 1 teaspoon could kill an dangerous average-size adult Danger Extremely fl ammable, A few drops to 1 teaspoon could kill an corrosive or highly toxic average-size adult Warning Moderate hazard, 1 teaspoon to 1 ounce could kill an moderately toxic average-size adult Caution Moderate hazard, More than 1 ounce could kill an slightly toxic adverage-size adult Safest No signal Non-toxic, no labeling word required For poisoning: Call the Oregon Poison Control Center 1-800-222-1222 toll free For all other emergencies: Call 911 Additional warnings for physical eff ects: Corrosive/caustic: Can burn and destroy living tissue (acids, bases) Flammable/combustible: Can easily be set on fi re or ignited Reactive/explosive: Can detonate or explode through exposure to heat, sudden shock or pressure. Protecting children Children are in important physical, emotional and intellectual stages of development and are especially vul- nerable to impacts from chemicals. Young children explore the world at ground level and regularly use their hands and mouth for this exploration. They need more oxygen per pound of body weight then adults and this may also add to their vulnerability. Storing chemicals away from the reach of children is the fi rst step in protecting children, but it is not the only step. Protect your children by eliminating unnecessary chemicals in your environment. Choose safer alternatives. The Hazardless Home Handbook A cooperative publication of Oregon Department of Environmental Quality 811 SW Sixth Ave. Portland, OR 97204 600 NE Grand Ave. Portland, OR 97232 Printed on 100 percent recycled paper, 30 percent post-consumer-content. 1 Table of Contents Hazardous Products in the Home....................................................................................................................................................................................................... 3 A-Z Guide to Common Hazardous Household Products ........................................................................................................................................................... 5 Adhesives/glues ..........................................................................................6 Medicines, unwanted/expired ............................................................18 Aerosols .........................................................................................................6 Mercury-containing products............................................................. 19 Air fresheners/deodorizers .....................................................................6 Moss killer .................................................................................................. 19 Ammunition .................................................................................................7 Mothballs/moth crystals .......................................................................19 Antifreeze ......................................................................................................7 Motor oil/oil fi lters .................................................................................. 20 Arts and crafts supplies ............................................................................8 Oven cleaners ...........................................................................................21 Asbestos ........................................................................................................8 Paint, oil-based/stain/spray .................................................................21 Batteries, automotive ................................................................................9 Paint, water based ...................................................................................21 Batteries, household .................................................................................9 Paint strippers/paint scrapings .......................................................... 22 Bleaches, laundry .................................................................................... 10 Paint thinners ............................................................................................23 Brake fl uid ..................................................................................................10 Pesticides .................................................................................................... 23 Charcoal lighter fl uid ..............................................................................10 Photographic chemicals .......................................................................27 Chemistry sets ..........................................................................................11 Polishes/shoe ............................................................................................ 28 Cleaners, general household .............................................................. 11 Polishes/cleaners/waxes, automotive ..............................................28 Degreasers, automotive/garage ........................................................12 Polishes/cleaners, metal ....................................................................... 28 Detergents, dishwashing/laundry .....................................................12 Polishes/waxes, wood furniture and fl oors ....................................29 Disinfectants ............................................................................................. 13 Pool/spa chemicals .................................................................................29 Drain cleaners ...........................................................................................14 Rug/carpet cleaners ............................................................................... 30 Fertilizers, chemical ................................................................................ 14 Septic tank cleaners................................................................................ 30 Fingernail polish/remover ....................................................................15 Smoke detectors, ionizing type ......................................................... 31 Fluorescent lights/ballasts/HID lamps .............................................15 Soot remover/creosote destroyer ..................................................... 31 Gasoline ...................................................................................................... 16 Stain/spot removers ...............................................................................31 Hair products ............................................................................................ 17 Thermometer, medical/household ...................................................32 Hand cleaners, mechanic/painter ..................................................... 17 Thermostats .............................................................................................. 32 Kerosene/diesel fuel ...............................................................................17 Transmission fl uid ...................................................................................33 Lubricating oils .........................................................................................18 Windshield wiper solution ...................................................................33 Medical waste/sharps ............................................................................18 Wood preservatives ................................................................................34 Glossary......................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................35 Additional Resources ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................37 For More Information ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................38 Oregon Household Hazardous Waste Collection Facilities and Events ..............................................................................................................................39 2 Hazardous Products in the Home Most homes have shelves, closets and cupboards weakness, confusion, dizziness, irritability, headaches, stocked with household products that make our lives nausea, sweating, tremor and convulsions. easier. Stores carry hundreds of brands of cleaners, de- • Repeated exposure to some chemicals can cause can- tergents, polishes, paints, pesticides and other products cer or birth defects. that promise to be fast, easy and eff ective. But how safe are they? • Hazardous materials placed in the garbage can seri- ously injure sanitation workers. As a consumer, you may assume that a product is safe if it’s off ered for sale. Unfortunately, many household Poisoning products contain hazardous ingredients that can be Every day, children and pets become ill or die from eat- harmful when you use them or dispose