Household Products

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Basics

• Summary
• Start Here
• Diagnosis and Tests
• Prevention and Risk Factors

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• Related Issues
• Specifics

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Research

• Statistics and Research
• Journal Articles

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Summary

The products you use for cleaning, carpentry, auto repair, gardening, and many other household uses can contain ingredients that can harm you, your family, and the environment. These include :

• Oven and drain cleaners
• Cleaning and disinfecting products, including bleach and antibacterial cleaners
• Laundry powder
• Floor polish
• Paint thinners, strippers, and removers
• Pesticides
• Grease and rust removers
• Motor oil and fuel additives
• Arts and crafts supplies

Toxic substances in these products can cause harm if inhaled, swallowed, or absorbed through the skin. People respond to toxic substances in different ways. At high doses, a toxic substance might cause birth defects or other serious problems, including brain damage or death.

To avoid problems, keep products in the containers they come in and use them exactly as the label says. Follow label directions or get medical help if you swallow or inhale them or get them on your skin.

Environmental Protection Agency

Start Here

• Household Chemical Emergencies (Department of Homeland Security) Also in Spanish

Diagnosis and Tests

• Poisoning: First Aid (Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research) Also in Spanish

Prevention and Risk Factors

• Household Hazards to Pets (American Veterinary Medical Association)
• Read the Label First! Protect Your Household (Environmental Protection Agency) - PDF

Related Issues

• Chemical Emergency Preparedness (American Red Cross)
• Poison-Proof Your Home One Room at a Time: Pesticide Poison Prevention Checklist (Environmental Protection Agency) - PDF Also in Spanish
• Recalls (Consumer Product Safety Commission)
• SaferProducts.gov (Consumer Product Safety Commission)

Specifics

• What You Should Know about Using Paint Strippers (Consumer Product Safety Commission) - PDF

Statistics and Research

• Poisonings Among Children Ages 0-14 in 2018 (Safe Kids Worldwide)

Journal Articles References and abstracts from MEDLINE/PubMed (National Library of Medicine)

• Article: Development of machine learning models for the prediction of the skin...
• Article: Cinnamic Acid Derivatives as Potential Multifunctional Agents in Cosmetic Formulations Used...
• Article: Efficacy and safety of cysteamine 5% cream for the management of...
• Household Products -- see more articles

Find an Expert

• Environmental Protection Agency Also in Spanish
• Find a Poison Center (Health Resources and Services Administration) Also in Spanish
• National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences Also in Spanish

Women

• Using Household Chemicals during Pregnancy (Nemours Foundation) Also in Spanish