Hazardous Household Hazardous Household ProductsProducts

Important things to know!Important things to know!Bay-Wise Advanced Master Gardener ProgramBay-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 Household Hazardous Products (HHP) -- Objectives(HHP) -- Objectives

Discuss types of products thru out the Discuss types of products thru out the home and define HHP risks home and define HHP risks

Household products labeling requirementsHousehold products labeling requirements Information sources for household Information sources for household

productsproducts Strategies for reducing HHPStrategies for reducing HHP ““Green cleaning” alternativesGreen cleaning” alternatives

HHP—What is it?HHP—What is it? Municipal Solid Waste – Municipal Solid Waste – trash!trash! -- -- 4.5 4.5

lbs/person/daylbs/person/day EPA strategies: Source reduction, Recycling, EPA strategies: Source reduction, Recycling,

Composting, Disposal in combustion facility or Composting, Disposal in combustion facility or landfilllandfill

Environmental concern is ground water Environmental concern is ground water contaminationcontamination

Human Health concerns include usage, Human Health concerns include usage, indoor air quality and known and unknown indoor air quality and known and unknown long term effectslong term effects

What are HHP? Where are they?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 HHPHarmful Actions of HHP

Flammable - Flammable - ignites at low temperature ignites at low temperature Explosive - Explosive - gas under pressuregas under pressure Toxic - Toxic - poisonspoisons Corrosive - Corrosive - acids and basesacids and bases Reactive - Reactive - two compounds mixedtwo compounds mixed Abrasive - Abrasive - hard/rough to skin hard/rough to skin

How do Health effects occur?How do Health effects occur?

SwallowingSwallowing – accidental – accidental (childproof caps)(childproof caps)

Absorbing Absorbing – skin, eyes, – skin, eyes, mucous membranesmucous membranes

ContactContact – eating, drinking, – eating, drinking, smokingsmoking

Inhaling Inhaling – minute – minute particles/aerosol sprayparticles/aerosol spray

Signal Words on the LabelSignal Words on the Label

CautionCaution – least risk, temporary (abrasion – least risk, temporary (abrasion from using a cleanser, irritation from mild from using a cleanser, irritation from mild fumes)fumes)

WarningWarning – moderate risk, small amounts – moderate risk, small amounts can cause harm (burns, dizziness, can cause harm (burns, dizziness, nausea)nausea)

Danger Danger – can cause death (poisonous, – can cause death (poisonous, flammable, explosive, radiation)flammable, explosive, radiation)

PoisonPoison – can cause death – can cause death

Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS)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 HHPSafe 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 HHPSafe Handling of HHP

Follow directionsFollow directions Buy only amount neededBuy only amount needed Store properly in original containerStore properly in original container Buy least toxic product C,W,DBuy least toxic product C,W,D Dispose of according to labelDispose of according to label Consider alternative product use Consider alternative product use

Alternative Products – Alternative Products – green cleaning

Baking sodaBaking soda White vinegarWhite vinegar Rubbing alcoholRubbing alcohol Distilled waterDistilled water SaltSalt LemonsLemons BoraxBorax Spray bottlesSpray bottles Herbs & spicesHerbs & spices