Transcript Slide 1

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! -- 4.5
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
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What are HHP? Where are they?
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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
 Explosive
 Toxic
-
 Corrosive  Reactive  Abrasive -
- ignites at low temperature
gas under pressure
poisons
acids and bases
two compounds mixed
hard/rough to skin
How do Health effects occur?
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Swallowing – accidental
(childproof caps)
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Absorbing – skin, eyes,
mucous membranes
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Contact – eating, drinking,
smoking
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Inhaling – minute
particles/aerosol spray
Signal Words on the Label
– 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
 Caution
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 – green cleaning
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Baking soda
White vinegar
Rubbing alcohol
Distilled water
Salt
Lemons
Borax
Spray bottles
Herbs & spices