1. 2 an ordinary house a chemical house tvs & computers personal care/cosmetics cleaning...
TRANSCRIPT
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An Ordinary
HouseA Chemical
House
TVs & ComputersPersonal Care/Cosmetics
Cleaning Products & Pesticides
Flooring
FurnitureCarpeting
Furniture
Automobile
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Levels in HomesPollution inside typical home 2–5 times worse
than air outdoorsLevels may be 1,000 times background
outdoor after activities like stripping paintIndoor air pollution one of top 5 most-serious
environmental risks to public health50% of all illnesses traced back to the home
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Sources of PollutantsAverage US household uses 40
lbs of chemicals each yearAverage household stores more
than 60 hazardous productsLoaded with fragrances and
petroleum-distilled chemicals Volatile Organic Compounds
(VOCs)
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Sources of Pollutants (cont.)Paints, paint strippers, and other solventsWood preservativesAerosol spraysCleansers and disinfectantsMoth repellentsAir freshenersStored fuels and automotive productsHobby suppliesDry-cleaned clothing
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Sources of Pollutants (cont.)Laundry detergents and fabric softenersPhthalates
Chemicals harmed hormonal systems Harmed reproductive organs in animal
testsMake the scent last longer
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Sources of Pollutants (cont.)Chlorine bleach
Also called sodium hypochlorite Caustic fumesToxic if swallowed
Scented productsPerfumes and deodorants
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Sources of Pollutants (cont.)PesticidesUsed inside and outside homeCan be tracked into home from outside
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Sources of Pollutants (cont.)
Dry cleaning CA Air Resources Board designated
perchloroethylene (PERC) as a toxic air contaminant
If you dry clean traditional way–Air your clothes before wearing or
placing in closet
Alternative Choice-Hydrocarbon solvent-Wet cleaning
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Sources of Pollutants (cont.)
Pungent, colorless, toxic, water-soluble gas Disinfectant PreservativeIngredient of synthetic resins, dyes, plastics
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Sources of FormaldehydeBuilding materials
Pressed wood products Particleboard Hardwood plywood
paneling Medium density
fiberboardSmokingHousehold
productsUn-vented, fuel-
burning appliances
Manufactured productsPermanent press
qualities to clothing and drapery
Component of glues and adhesives
Preservative in paints
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Mercury SourcesLighting
FluorescentHIDMercury Vapor
OtherThermostatKids shoes
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Sources of Pollutants (cont.)How Air Fresheners Work Interfere with ability to smell by way of
nerve-deadening agentCoat nasal passages with undetectable oil
filmCover up one smell with another(Rarely) break down offensive odorAir fresheners do little to freshen the
air
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Health Effects Depend on…Toxicity of chemicalLevel of exposureLength of time exposed Pathway of exposure
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Health EffectsEye, nose, and throat irritationHeadachesLoss of coordination / dizzinessNauseaDamage to liver, kidney, and central
nervous systemSuspected or known to cause cancer in
humans Allergic skin reactionFatigue
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Health Effects (cont.)Children born into households
using toxic cleaning products twice as likely to have wheezing
Over last 20-30 years, level of toxins stored in body’s adipose tissue (fat cells) have risen
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Health Concerns of Pesticides
Child in household using home and garden pesticides has 6.5 x higher risk of developing leukemia
NeurotoxinsIrritantsCarcinogensMutagensEndocrine disruptors
Health Effects of Pesticides
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Formaldehyde Health ConcernsWatery eyesBurning sensation in
the eyes and throatNauseaDifficulty breathingShown to cause
cancer in animals and may cause cancer in humans
Eyes, nose, and throat irritation
Wheezing and coughing
FatigueSkin rashAllergic reactions
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Steps to Reduce ExposureIncrease ventilation Meet or exceed any label precautionsDo not store opened containers of unused
paints and similar materials Throw away unused or little-used containers
safely; buy in quantities that you will use soonNever mix household care products unless
directed on label Follow label instructions carefully
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Steps to Reduce Exposure (cont.)Use least toxic product that works for your
projectMake homemade alternative cleaning
products using baking soda, vinegar, soapProvide adequate ventilationKeep out of reach of children and pets
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Reduce Pesticide Exposure When you apply pesticides you treat
symptom, rather than cause of pest problems
Control pests without chemicals by using Integrated Pest Management (IPM) techniques
Physical controlsCultural controlsBiological controlsLeast-toxic pest control
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Reduce Pesticide Exposure (cont.)
Best products for environment and your health are less toxic and less persistent
Dispose of unwanted pesticides through the Household Hazardous Waste Program
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Reduce Formaldehyde ExposureUse “exterior-grade” pressed wood productsProvide adequate ventilation Maintain moderate temperature and humidity
levels Use materials not containing formaldehyde
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How do you make your home healthy?
Educate yourselfInvestigate and researchMake lifestyle change
Be careful what you buyUse natural forms of pest controlUse less toxic cleaning productsBuy curtains, carpets, furniture or
electronics free of PBDEs Choose products free of suspect
chemicals
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Resourceshttp://www.epa.gov/kidshometour/
Virtual tour of house looking at chemicals
http://www.healthychild.com/database/guide_to_safer_cleaners_and_disinfectants.htmThe cleaner can be more dangerous than the
things we are trying to clean up
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Resourceshttp://www.acereport.org/cleaners.html
Overview on cleaning chemicals
http://www.arb.ca.gov/research/abstracts/01-336.htmIndoor Air Chemistry: Cleaning Agents, Ozone
and Toxic Air Contaminants
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Resourceswww.vpirg.org/downloads/toxicschools.doc
Toxic Chemical Exposure in Schools: Our Children At Risk
www.fpinva.org/AWMA2005.htmScented Products as Sources of VOCs:
Implications for Susceptible Populations