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Protocols: Hazardous Ingredients In Household Products

Acetone: Skin and eye irritant. Neuroroxic. Used in some adhesives, art products, and paint removers and strippers.

Acetoxyphenylmercury: Neurotoxic. Teratogenic. Used in some paints.

Acid blue 9: Carcinogenic. Used in some toilet bowl cleaners and deodorizers.

Alcohol, Denatured: Dangerous fire hazard. Irritant. Acutely poisonous.

Aliphatic hydrocarbons: Prolonged exposure and inhalation may cause irritation to skin, digestive system, throat, and lungs. Neurotoxic. Used in some car waxes.

Aliphatic naphtha: Eye irritant. Neurotoxic. Used in some furniture polishes.

Alipharic petroleum distillate: Flammable. Eye and skin irritant. Neurotoxic. Used in some car cleaning products

Aliphatic petroleum solvent: Moderately irritating to skin on prolonged contact. Neuroroxic. Used in some carper cleaners

Alkaline bacillus: Allergen. Used in some laundry soil and stain removers.

Alkylphenol: Eye irritant. May cause skin sensitization. May act on the body with weak esurogenic effects. Used in some adhesives.

Allethrin: Eye and skin irritant. Can cause sudden swelling of face, eyelids, lips, mouth, and throat tissues, as well as hay fever-like symptoms. Neurotoxic. Damaging to the immune system. Highly toxic. Used in some pet flea-control products.

Aluminum: Inhalation of powder has been reported as a cause of lung disease. May be implicated as one of the factors in the onset or exacerbation of Alzheimer's disease. Used in some drain openers.

Aluminum silicate: Suggestive evidence of carcinogeniciry; its hazard is in the dry state (e.g., when sanding or scraping). Used in some paints.

Ammonia: Undiluted, a powerful eye and systemic irritant that may cause severe burning pain and corrosive damage, including chemical burns, cataracts, and corneal damage. Mild exposure to vapors may cause respiratory irritation. Repeated or prolonged exposure to vapors may cause irritation, bronchitis, and pneumonia. Used in a wide range of household cleaning and auto products.

Ammonium chloride: Corrosive to the eyes; can cause permanent damage. Used in some toilet bowl cleaners and deodorizers.

Ammonium hydroxide: Eye irritant. Safe when highly diluted as in most household products. Used in some air fresheners.

Amorphous fumed silica: Eye, skin, and respiratory irritant, Poses little to no risk when used, as it commonly is, in fragrance pottery.

Aromatic hydrocarbon: Highly flammable. Heating may cause pressure buildup and possible rupture of the container. Eve and skin irritant. May contain traces of benzene. which is carcinogenic. Neurotoxic. Used in some adhesives.

Barium: Moderate eye, skin, and respiratory irritant, Used in some artist s oil colors.

Bendiocarb: Eve and skin irritant. Allergenic. Sensitizer. Neuroroxic. Used in some home and garden pesticides.

Butane: Flammable. Neurotoxic at very high concentrations. Used as a propellant in a wide range of consumer aerosol products.

Butyl acetate: Flammable. Skin and eye irritant. Mild allergen. Neurotoxic. Used in shoe products.

Butyl cellosolve (also known as 2-butoxy-1-ethanol or ethylene glycol monobutyl ether): Mild skin and eve irritant. Damages blood and body's ability to make blood, central nervous system, kidneys, and liver. Readily absorbed through the skin, Neurotoxic. Used in some all-purpose cleaners, window cleaners, and a wide range of other household cleaning products.

Cadmium: Inhalation affects respiratory system and kidneys. Carcinogenic. Terarogenic. Used in some artist's oil colors.

Calcium carbonate: Moderate to severe eye irritant. Used in some all-purpose cleaners.

Calcium hypochlorite: Can cause severe irritation of skin and mucous membranes. Used as a disinfectant for pool chlorine.

Calcium oxide: Characterized as a powerful caustic to living tissue. Used in some home and garden pesticides.

Carharyl (Sevin): Eye and skin irritant. Allergenic. Sensitizer. Highly neurotoxic; symptoms include increased salivation, coughing, difficult breathing and phlegm. Associated with birth defects. Used in a wide range of pet flea-control products.

Chlorpyrifos (Durshan): Severe eye, skin, and respiratory irritant. Allergenic. Sensitizer. Highly neurotoxic. Significant reproductive effects. Commonly used by home exterminators, for lawn care, and in pesticide products sold in stores. Poses acute and chronic hazards to both pets and owners.

Cobalt: Carcinogenic. Used in some artist's oil paints.

Cocodiethanolamide: Mild eye and skin irritant. Used in some interior and exterior cleaners and protectants.

Concentrated perfume oil: Mild eye irritant. Used in some air fresheners.

Crystalline silica: Eye, skin, and lung irritant. Carcinogenic. Its hazard occurs when it is in the dry, not liquid, state. Used in some highly popular brands of cleanser, cat litter, paints, and some powdered flea-control products for pets.

Cyanoacrylate ester: Combustible. Vapors can irritate the skin and eyes. as well as mucous membranes. Used in some adhesives.

Cyclohexane: Flammable. Moderate eye, skin, and respiratory irritant. Used in some adhesives.

Cyfluthrin: Eye and skin irritant. Can cause sudden swelling of face, eyelids, lips, mouth, and throat tissues, as well as hay fever-like symptoms. Neurotoxic. Used in some pet flea-control products.

D-cis trans allethrin: Eye and skin irritant. Can cause sudden swelling of face, eyelids, lips, mouth, and throat tissues, as well as hay fever-like symptoms. Neurotoxic. Used in some home and garden pesticides.

DEET: Eye and skin irritant. Sensitizer. Neurotoxic. Readily absorbed into skin. Used in some mosquito and insect repellents, as well as pet flea-control products.

Detergents and soaps (uncharacterized): Can cause temporary respiratory tract irritation when in powder form (as in the case of laundry detergents) and mild to severe irritation of the eyes in both powder and liquid form (as with dishwashing liquids or other, harsher liquid cleaning products). Symptoms of respiratory distress include coughing, sore throat, wheezing, and temporary shortness of breath. Eye-related symptoms include stinging, tearing, itching, swelling, or redness. Used in some carpet cleaners, dishwashing products, laundry detergents, and a wide range of other household cleaning products.

Diazinon: Combustible. Corrosive to eyes. Severe eye and skin irritant. Allergenic. Sensitizer. Highly neuroroxic. Toxic to the fetus. Toxic to birds. Used in lawn pesticides and flea collars, as well as by home exterminators and lawn care companies.

1,4-Dichlorobenzene (para-dichiorobeozene): Carcinogenic. Highly volatile. Causes liver and kidney damage. Used in moth repellents and toilet deodorizers.

Dichlorodifluoromethane: Eye irritant. Neurotoxic Used in some drain openers.

Dichiorvos (DDVP): Eye and skin irritant. Allergenic. Sensitizer. Carcinogenic. Highly neurotoxic. Terarogenic: causes sperm and other reproductive abnormalities. Used in some no-pest strips, flea collars, and other pet flea-control products.

Diethanolamine (DEA): Mild skin and severe eye irritant. Reacts with nP trites (added as undisclosed preservatives to some products or their raw materials or present as contaminants) to form highly potent carcinogenic nitrosamines. Nirrosamines have been shown to readily penetrate the skin. Used in a wide range of household cleaning products.

D-limonene: Eye and skin irritant. Sensitizer. Suggestive evidence of carcinogenicity. Neuroroxic. Teratogenic. Used in some paints and pet flea-control products and passed off as safe. Its safety is suspect.

Dimethylbenzyl ammonium chloride: Severe eye and skin irritants. Used in some bathroom cleaners and toilet bowl cleaners and deodorizers.

Dimethyl ethylbenzyl animonium chloride: Severe eye and skin irritants. Used in some bathroom cleaners.

Dioctyl phthalate (di [2-ethyihexyl] phthalate): Skin and severe eye irritant. Carcinogenic. Reproductive toxin. Used in adhesives and correction fluid.

Dipropylene glycol methyl ether: Eye and skirt irritant. Used in some laundry soil and stain removers, car interior and exterior cleaners and protectants, and shoe products.

D-trans allethrin: Eye and skin irritant. Can cause sudden swelling of face, eyelids, lips, mouth, and throat tissues, as well as hay fever-like symptoms Neuroroxic. Used in some pet flea-control products.

Ethoxylated alcohols: May be contaminated with I ,4-dioxane, which is carcinogenic and rapidly penetrates the skin.

Ethoxylated nonyl phenol: Eye and skin irritant. Used in some car bug, insect, and tar removers.

Ethyl alcohol: Mild eye, skin, respiratory tract irritant. Used in air fresheners, pet flea-control products, and a wide range of other household cleaning products.

Ethyl henzene: Neuroroxic. Used in some art products.

Ethylene glycol: Flammable. Eye, skin, respiratory irritant. Excessive exposure may cause kidney, blood, and possibly liver damage. Neuroroxic. Reproductive toxin. Absorbed through the skin. Used in antifreeze, metal polishes, stains, car waxes, and shoe products.

Ethylene glycol propyl ether: Eye and skin irritant. Neurotoxic. Used in some paints.

Feldspar: Mild respiratory irritant. Used in some all-purpose cleaners.

Fenvalerate: Highly neurotoxic to humans and pets. Can cause tingling and burning sensation of the hands and face. Sweden has discontinued its use among forestry workers. Used in some home and garden pesticides, as well as pet flea-control products.

Formaldehyde: Poisonous irritant to the skin, eyes, and mucous membranes. A sensitizer. Carcinogenic. Neurotoxic. Used in some furniture polishes, car cleaners and waxes, and a wide range of other consumer items, especially paints and related products.

Glycol ether: Eye irritant. Used in some household cleaning products.

Heptane: Flammable. Neurotoxic. Used in some shoe products.

Hexachlorobenzene (HCB): Eye and skin irritant. Sensitizer. Carcinogenic. Teurotoxic. Terarogenic. Used in some artist's oil colors.

Hexane: Flammable. Eye, skin, and respiratory tract irritant. Neurotoxin. Used in some adhesives and art products.

Hydramethylnon: Carcinogenic. Used in some home and garden pesticides.

Hydrocarbon solvent: Slight to moderate skin irritant. Neuroroxic Used in some furniture polishes and a wide range of other consumer products.

Hydrochloric acid: Corrosive. Severe eye, skin, and mucous membrane irritant; highly toxic if inhaled with unknown systemic effects. Inhalation of vapors may cause severe irritation of the respiratory system, coughing, and difficulty breathing. Used in some toilet bowl cleaners and deodorizers.

Iodine: Can cause stinging and burning of eyes and conjunctivitis. Skin irritant. Used in some toilet bowl cleaners and deodorizers.

Isobutane: Flammable. Neurotoxic at very high concentrations. Used as a propellant in aerosols.

Isobutyl acetate: Flammable. Skin and eye irritant. Used in some adhesives.

Isoparaffinic hydrocarbon: Moderate eye and skin irritant. Used in a wide range of household cleaning products. including air fresheners and car waxes.

Isopropyl alcohol: Combustible. Can be a moderate eye irritant. Neurotoxic at high concentration. Used in some carpet cleaners and car waxes.

Kerosene: Flammable. Slight to moderate eye and skin irritant. May contain traces of henzene, which is carcinogenic. Neurotoxic. Used in some furniture polishes and car waxes.

Lead: Carcinogenic. Neurotoxic. Reproductive effects. Used in some artist's oil paints.

Light petroleum distillates: Eye, skin, and respiratory irritant. Can cause rashes of the skin. Neurotoxic. Repeated exposure has caused kidney disorders and damage in experimental animals. Used in some spot removers.

Limonene fraction terpenes: Eye, skin, and respiratory irritant. Used in some spot removers.

Medium aliphatic hydrocarbons: Suggestive evidence of carcinogenicity. Used in some car waxes.

Medium aliphatic solvent naphtha: Eye and skin irritant. Neuroroxic. Used in some auto products.

Methanol (methyl alcohol): Severe eye and skin irritant. Can cause permanent blindness. Neuroroxic. Used in some paint removers and strippers and art products.

Methoxychlor: Eye and skin irritant. Sensitizer. Limited evidence of carcinogenicity. Reproductive toxin. Weak estrogen-like effects. Used in some pet flea-control products.

Methyl ethyl ketone: Eve, skin, and respiratory irritant. Neurotoxic. Reproductive toxin. Used in some thinners and adhesives.

Methylene chloride (dichloromethane): Severe skin and moderate eye irritant. Can cause irregular heartbeat, even heart attack, when inhaled. Carcinogenic. Neuroroxic. Used in some paint strippers and spray paints.

Mineral seal oil: Eye and skin irritant. Can cause dermatitis. Used in some furniture polishes.

Mineral spirits: Severe eye and skin irritant. Neurotoxic. Used in some floor cleaners, waxes, polishes, and many paints and related products.

Monethanolamine: Moderate skin, severe eye irritant. Used in some paint removers and strippers.

Morpholine: Moderate to severe eye, skin, and mucous membrane irritant, Reacts with nitrites (added as undisclosed preservatives to some products or their raw materials or present as contaminants) to form carcinogenic nirrosamines. Can cause kidney damage. Used in some furniture polishes and car waxes.

Naled: Eye and skin irritant. Neurotoxic. Transformation produa includes dichiorvos, which is carcinogenic and a reproductive toxin. Used in some pet flea-control products.

Naplithalene: Combustible. Eye and skin irritant. Can cause corneal damage and cataracts. Neurotoxic. Reproductive toxin: transported across the placenta and can cause blood damage. Used in some moth repellents and car waxes.

N-octyl bicycloheptene dicarboximide: Eye and respiratory tract irritant. Used in some household and garden pesticides, as well as pet flea-control products.

Nonionic surfactants: Eye irritant. Used in some toilet bowl cleaners and deodorizers.

Nonoxynol 4: Eye and skin irritant. Used in some laundry soil and stain removers.

Nonylphenol ethoxylate: Mild eye irritant. Used in some air fresheners.

Nonylphenol polyethylene oxide: Eye, skin, and respiratory tract irritant. Used in some spot removers.

Nonylphenol resin: Skin and eye irritant. Mayrcause skin sensitization. Used in some adhesives.

Oil of orange: Skin irritant. Carcinogenic. Used in some all-purpose cleaners, furniture polishes, and spot removers.

Oleic diethanol amide: Eye and skin irritant. Used in some car waxes.

Ortho phenyiphenol: Severe eye and skin irritant. JARC says the evidence is inadequate to assess its carcinogeniciry. EPA says it is probably carcinogenic to humans. (As is our general policy, we have used the higher ranking.) Used in some air fresheners and disinfectants.

Oxalic acid dihydrate: Moderate eye and skin irritant. Can be allergenic Used in some cleansers.

Parahens (methyl, propyl): Allergenic. Used as preservatives in some household products.

Perinethrin: Eye and skin irritant. Can cause sudden swelling of face, eyelids, lips, mouth, and throat tissues, as well as hay fever-like symptoms. Carcinogenic. Neurocoxic. Used in some household and garden pesticides, and pet flea-control products.

Petroleum distillates: Fire hazard. Eye, skin, and respiratory irritant. Can cause conjunctivitis and dermatitis. May contain traces of benzene, which is carcinogenic. Mild to significant neurotoxic effects leading to organic brain damage, depending on concentration and duration of exposure. Used in a wide range of products, including heavy-duty cleaners, laundry stain removers, home and garden pesticides, pet flea-control products, and car waxes.

Petroleum hydrocarbons: Eye, skin, and respiratory irritant. May contain traces of benzene, xvhich is carcinogenic. Neuroroxic. Used in some furniture polishes.

Petroleum process oil: Eye, skin, and respiratory tract irritant. May contain traces of benzene, which is carcinogenic. Neuroroxic. Used in some furniture polishes.

Petroleum solvents: Severe eye, skin, and respiratory irritant. May contain traces of benzene, which is carcinogenic. Significant neurotoxic effects. Used in some floor cleaners, waxes, and polishes.

Petroleum spirits: Eye, skin, and respiratory irritant. May contain traces of benzene, which is carcinogenic. Neurotoxic. Used in some spot removers.

Phenothrin (sumithrin): Eye and skin irritant. Can cause sudden swelling of face, eyelids, lips, mouth, and throat tissues, as well as hay fever-like symptoms. Neurotoxic. Used in some pet flea-control products.

Phosphoric acid: Corrosive. Severe eye, skin, respiratory irritant. Breathing vapors can make lungs ache. Used in some bathroom cleaning products, especially those that remove lime and mildew, metal polishes.

Pine oil: Weak allergen. Very large doses cause central nervous system depression. Used in a wide range of household cleaning products.

Polychlorinated hiphenyls (PCBs): Cause dermatitis. Carcinogenic. Neurotoxic. Teratogenic. Used in some artist's oil paints.

Poly (methyl methacrylate): Skin, eye, and respiratory irritant. Limited evidence of carcinogenicity. Used in some adhesives.

Polyoxyethylene oleyl ether: Moderate eye and skin irritant. Used in some air fresheners.

Polystyrene resin solution: Flammable. Eye and skin irritant. Used in some adhesives.

Propane: Flammable. Neurotoxic at high concentrations. An aerosol propellant used in a wide range of consumer products.

Propoxur: Carcinogenic. Neurotoxic. Used in some home and garden pesticides.

Propylene glycol methyl ether: Mild to moderate eye, skin, and respirator-v irritant. Used in some carpet and car cleaning products.

Propylene ozidia: Flammable. Skin and eye irritant. Carcinogenic. Neurotoxic. Used in some adhesives.

Proteinase: Allergenic. Used in laundry soil and stain removers.

Proteolytic enzymes: Mild eye irritant. May cause sensitization with symptoms ranging from mild hay fever and asthma to dermatitis. Used in some laundry soil and stain removers.

Pyrethrins: Allergenic. Neuroroxic. Used in some household and garden pesticides, as well as pet flea-control products.

Quaternary aminonium compound: Eye and skin irritant. Used in some all-purpose cleaners and laundry fabric softeners.

Quaternary Dicco: Slight fire hazard. Moderate to severe skin and eye itt:rant; in some cases may cause skin burns and corneal damage to the eye. Used in some car interior and exterior cleaners and protectants.

Quaternium 15: Eye and skin irritant. Allergen. Can release formaldehyde. Used in some hand and automatic dishwashing products.

Resmethrin: Can cause sudden swelling of face, eyelids, lips, mouth, and throat tissues, as well as hay fever-like symptoms. Neuroroxic. Used in some pet flea-control products.

Rotenone: Skin irritant. Carcinogenic. Neurotoxic. Tetrogenic. Used in some pet flea-control products.

Silicon dioxide: Eye and skin irritant. Used in some auto products.

Silicone emulsion: Slight fire risk. Used in some interior and exterior car cleaners and protectants.

Sodium bisulfate: Corrosive and damaging to the eyes, skin, and internal tissues if ingested. Can cause asthma attacks. Used in some toilet bowl cleaners and deodorizers.

Sodium dichloroisocyanurate dihydrate: Corrosive. Severe eye, skin, and respiratory irritant. Can form chlorine gas that can cause burning and watering of the eyes, as well as burning of the nose and mouth. Used in some toilet bowl cleaners and deodorizers.

Sodium 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetate (2,4-D): Irritant. Sensitizer. Carcinogenic. Neurotoxic. Teratogenic. Used as a herbicide in lawn tare products.

Sodium dithionate: Eve, skin, and respiratory irritant. Used in some spot removers.

Sodium dodecylhenzene sulfonate: Eye and skin irritant. Used in some laundry soil and stain removers

Sodium hydroxide: Corrosive. Eye, skin, and respiratory irritant. When highly concentrated as used in some drain openers and oven cleaners, it can burn eyes, skin, and internal organs. Can be fatal if swallowed. Used in a wide range of household cleaners.

Sodium hypochlorite (bleach): Corrosive. Eye, skin, and respiratory irritant. Sensitizer. Can be fatal if swallowed. Especially hazardous to people with heart conditions or asthma. Used in a wide range of household cleaners.

Sodium metasilicate: Corrosive. Severe eye, skin, and respiratory irritant. Inhalation of dust can cause throat and lung damage. Used in some driveway and garage floor cleaners.

Sodium ortho-phenyiphenol: Eye and skin irritant. Carcinogenic. Used in some bathroom cleaners.

Sodium silicate: Can be corrosive. Can cause burns to the eyes and tissue damage to the skin, as well as cause burns to mouth, throat, and stomach if swallowed. Used in some automatic dishwashing detergents and car interior and exterior cleaners and protectants.

Sodium sulfate: Corrosive. Severe eye, skin, and respiratory irritant. Can cause asthma attacks. Used in some toilet bowl cleaners and deodorizers.

Solvents (uncharacterized): Eye, skin, and respiratory irritant. Neuroroxic. Used in some paint removers and strippers.

Solvent orange 3 dye/solvent red 49 dye: Carcinogenic. Used in some shoe polishes.

Starch: Allergenic. Used in some laundry starches.

Stoddard solvent: Slight fire hazard. Eye and mucous membrane irritant. Neuroroxic. Used in some auto, floor wax, and shoe products.

Sulfur: Poses minimal risk for eye, skin, and respiratory irritation, as well as nausea and allergic sensitization. Frequently used in least-toxic pesticides, especially for organic gardening, sulfur products are some of the safest chemicals available for use-for both people and the environment.

Surfactants (uncharacterized): Eye irritant. Used in a wide range of household cleaning products.

Talc: Carcinogenic when inhaled. Used in some home and garden pesticides.

Tetrachloroethylene (perchioroethylene): Eye, skin, and respiratory irritant. Carcinogenic. Neurotoxic. Used in some spot removers.

Tetrachlorvinphos: Eye and skin irritant. Carcinogenic. Used in some pet flea-control products.

Tetrahydrofuran: Irritant to eyes and mucous membranes. Neuroroxic. Can cause injury to liver and kidneys. Used in some adhesive products.

Tetramethrin: Eye and skin irritant. Can cause sudden swelling of face, eyelids, lips, mouth, and throat tissues, as well as hay fever-like symptoms. Neurotoxic. Used in some pet flea-control products.

Terrasodium EDTA: Eye irritant. Used in some bathroom cleaners.

Titanium dioxide: Limited evidence of carcinogencity: Hazardous, not as a liquid, but as a dust (as when paint containing titanium dioxide is being sanded or scraped). Used in some paints and shoe polishes.

Toluene: Eye and skin irritant. Can cause cardiac sensitization. Neuroroxic. Reproductive effects. Used in some spot removers and art products.

1,1,1-trichloroethane: Moderate skin and severe eye irritant. Can sensitize the heart, cause cardiac arrest. Inadequate evidence to determine its noncarcinogenicity. Significant neurotoxic effects. Used in some metal polishes, spot removers, household pesticides, and a wide range of other consumer products.

Tri (dimethylaminomethyl) phenol: Eye and skin irritant. May cause skin sensitization. Used in some adhesives.

Tniethanolamine (TEA): Eye and skin irritant. Can react with nitrites (added as undisclosed preservatives to some products or their raw materials or present as contaminants) to form carcinogenic nirrosamines. Nitrosamines have been shown to readily penetrate the skin. Used in some liquid all-purpose cleaning products, metal polishes, spot removers, and other household cleaning products.

Tnipropylene glycol monomethyl ether: Prolonged and repeated skin exposure to large doses can result in narcosis and kidney injury. Used in some floor cleaners, waxes, and polishes.

Trisodium nitrilotriacetate: Carcinogenic. Used in some bathroom cleaning products.

Turpentine: Flammable. Eye irritant. Can cause allergenic sensitization. Neurotoxic. Can cause serious irritation of the kidneys. Used in some furniture polishes, auto, art, and shoe products.

Urea: Skin irritant. Allergen. Used in some laundry soil and stain removers.

VMamp;P naphtha: Eye and skin irritant. Neurotoxic. Used in some furniture polishes.

Washing soda: Caustic. Can cause eye burns with potential injury on prolonged contact. Used in some laundry detergents.

White mineral oil: Eye and skin irritant. Neuroroxic. Used in some furniture polishes.

Xylene: Severe eye and moderate skin irritant. Significant neurotoxic effects. Reproductive effects. Used in some spot removers, car cleaners, paints, and other consumer products.

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