How to reduce toxic chemicals in your home - Minnesota Pollution ...

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A good principleto follow is to always look forways to reduce or eliminatethe use of toxic chemicals aswe go about our daily lives,in order to keep our homeshealthy for our families andpets.Become a label readerLook for key words on labels and choose theleast hazardous product.Less Caution mild/moderatetoxicWarning moderate hazardMoretoxicDangerPoisonextremely flammable,corrosive or highly toxichighly toxicSource: Minnesota Pollution Control AgencyReducing toxics inside your houseUntil recently, indoor air pollution has beenlargely ignored as a source of exposure to toxicity.But studies have shown that levels of harmfulchemicals in indoor air may exceed the standardsset by the EPA to protect us from harmful chemicals.You can reduce the problem by using productsthat are free of toxic chemicals whenever possible.What you can doSimple changes in our everyday routines canreduce our long-term exposure to low levels ofpotentially harmful substances—changes in theproducts we buy, changes in the way we clean ourhouses, changes in how we take care of our yard.These changes will not only make our homes safer,they may also save us money.Choosing the products you buyWhenever possible, buy products that are freeof toxic chemicals. Alternatives are available. Themarket for nontoxic household products is growingin response to customer demand.∫ When purchasing products, take a minuteto carefully read the label. Look for productsthat appear to disclose all their ingredients.The words “warning,” “danger,” and "poison"indicate that the product’s ingredients areharmful. Choose the least hazardous productto do the job.∫ Before you use a product, carefully read thedirections and follow the instructions. Besure to use the correct amount of a product.Remember, you won’t get twice the resultsby using twice as much.∫ Select products (cleaners, shampoos, etc.)made from plant-based materials, such ascitrus, seed, vegetable, or pine oils. By doingso, you are selecting products that are biodegradableand generally less toxic. Theseproducts provide the additional benefit of
eing made from renewable resources. Ask for plantbasedproducts at your local grocery or retail store.∫ Choose pump spray containersinstead of aerosols. Pressurized aerosolproducts often produce a finer mistthat is more easily inhaled. Aerosolsalso put unnecessary volatile organicchemicals into your indoor air whenyou use them.∫ Ask for unbleached paper productsor products bleached with hydrogenperoxide or oxygen, which produceless pollution during papermaking.∫ Look for products with the EPA'sDesign for the Environment logo tohelp you find safer choicesthat won't sacrifice qualityor performance.www.epa.gov/dfeFor yourself—bath, beauty,and hygiene products∫ Avoid using antibacterial soaps. Antibacterialagents, while not directly harmful to you,contribute to the growing problem we face whenbacteria mutate to strains that are more drug-resistant.Remember, however, that hand washing withany soap is still vital to maintaining good health.∫ Purchase a mercury-free fever thermometer. Manyeffective alternatives are on the shelves at yourlocal pharmacy. Broken mercury fever thermometerscan be a source of toxic mercury levels in yourhome and discarded products containing mercurycontribute to higher levels in the environment.Consult your county household hazardous wasteprogram manager to learn where to take your oldthermometer or visit www.pca.state.mn.us/hhw.Ingredients lists don’t always tell youeverything that is in a product, butthey can offer clues to the toxicity.Using paper bleached withoutchlorine helps avoid the introductionof dioxin into the environment.Antibacterial agents tend topromote the growth of antibioticresistantbacteria strains.Older mercury-containingthermometerNew electronicthermometer
Page 1: Reduce WasteIf not you, who?How to
Page 5 and 6: ∫ Use vinegar and water in a pump
Page 7 and 8: Reducing toxics in the yard∫ Mowi

How to reduce toxic chemicals in your home - Minnesota Pollution ...

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