Hazardous Household Products Important things to know! Bay-Wise Advanced Master Gardener Program Jean F. Austin, FCS Educator Maryland Cooperative Extension “It is the policy of the University of Maryland, Agriculture Experiment Station and Maryland Cooperative Extension, that no person shall be subjected to discrimination on thro grounds of race, color, gender, religion, national origin, sexual orientation, age, marital or parental status, or disability.”

Household Hazardous Products (HHP) -- Objectives  Discuss types of products thru out the home and define HHP risks  Household products labeling requirements  Information sources for household products  Strategies for reducing HHP  “Green cleaning” alternatives

HHP—What is it?  Municipal Solid Waste – trash! lbs/person/day  EPA strategies: Source reduction, Recycling, Composting, Disposal in combustion facility or landfill  Environmental concern is ground water contamination  Human Health concerns include usage, indoor air quality and known and unknown long term effects

What are HHP? Where are they?   Products that present risks to the user and the environment   Found in every room or area of the home   Risk occurs when personal protective action not taken

Harmful Actions of HHP  Flammable - ignites at low temperature  Explosive - gas under pressure  Toxic - poisons  Corrosive - acids and bases  Reactive - two compounds mixed  Abrasive - hard/rough to skin

How do Health effects occur?  Swallowing – accidental (childproof caps)  Absorbing – skin, eyes, mucous membranes  Contact – eating, drinking, smoking  Inhaling – minute particles/aerosol spray

Signal Words on the Label  Caution – least risk, temporary (abrasion from using a cleanser, irritation from mild fumes)  Warning – moderate risk, small amounts can cause harm (burns, dizziness, nausea)  Danger – can cause death (poisonous, flammable, explosive, radiation)  Poison – can cause death

Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS)   Information on handling storage, storage and disposal of chemical substances used in industry   Consumer products contain substances but are considered Small Quantity Generators (SQG)

Safe Handling of HHP   Follow directions   Buy only amount needed   Store properly in original container   Buy least toxic product C,W,D   Dispose of according to label   Consider alternative product use

Safe Handling of HHP  Follow directions  Buy only amount needed  Store properly in original container  Buy least toxic product C,W,D  Dispose of according to label  Consider alternative product use

Alternative Products – Alternative Products – green cleaning  Baking soda  White vinegar  Rubbing alcohol  Distilled water  Salt  Lemons  Borax  Spray bottles  Herbs & spices