March 28, 2024 | Have you started your spring cleaning? If your home is like most American households, you have a number of products that you use for cleaning, carpentry, auto repair, gardening and other areas, products that can contain ingredients that can harm you, your family, pets and the environment. These include oven and drain cleaners, floor polish, paint thinners and removers, motor oil and fuel additives and arts and crafts supplies. All of these products contain toxic substances that 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 may cause birth defects or other serious problems, including brain damage or death. To avoid any potential problems, keep products in the containers they come in and use them exactly as the label says. Be sure to read all directions before using the product and get medical help immediately if you swallow or inhale any of the product.

March 28, 2024 | When it comes to leftover household products that contain corrosive, toxic or ignitable ingredients, disposing of them improperly poses a threat to the environment as well as human health. Never pour items like paint, oils or pesticides down the drain, on the ground, into storm sewers or put them out with the trash. Certain types of household chemicals have the potential to cause physical injury to sanitation workers, contaminate septic tanks or wastewater treatment systems if poured down drains or toilets, and present hazards to children and pets if left around the house. Many communities have collection programs to reduce the potential harm posed by these chemicals. The Environmental Protection Agency encourages the use of such programs rather than disposing of harmful chemicals in the trash. Call your local environmental, health, or solid waste agency for the time and location of your household chemical collection program.

March 28, 2024 | Some household chemicals are more dangerous than others. How harmful a chemical is to you depends on your level of exposure to it. Knowing your exposure is important in trying to find out if a chemical is causing any health problems you may be having. Figuring out what your exposure was to a chemical can be tricky because sometimes it may be a long time after you come in contact with a chemical before you get sick. Or it can take repeated contact before you get sick or have a reaction, like vomiting or developing a rash. If you have a reaction to any household products that have been used around your home, you will need to know your exact level of “exposure” to the product. It’s important to know how you came in contact with the chemical and exactly how long you were in contact with it. You should also determine how much of the chemical you came in contact with, was it just a little splash or half the bottle, and how toxic was the chemical.

March 28, 2024 | If you think someone has suffered from some form of poisoning, call 911 immediately if the person is drowsy or unconscious or is having difficulty breathing or stopped breathing. They may seem uncontrollably restless or agitated or possibly having seizures. If the person seems stable and has no symptoms, but you suspect poisoning, call your local poison control center or the National Capital Poison Center at 1-800-222-1222. Provide information about the person’s symptoms, age and weight, and any information you have about the poison, such as the amount and how long since the person was exposed to it. It helps to have the pill bottle or poison container on hand when you call. But don’t give the person ipecac syrup or do anything to induce vomiting. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends disposing of any ipecac you may have, saying there’s no evidence of effectiveness and that it can do more harm than good.

March 28, 2024 | Many household cleaners can be used safely around cats and dogs. However, the key to safe use lies in reading and following product directions for proper use and storage. For instance, if the label states “keep pets and children away from area until dry,” follow those directions to prevent possible health risks. Products containing bleach can safely disinfect many household surfaces when used properly, but can cause stomach upset, vomiting, diarrhea or severe burns if swallowed, and respiratory tract irritation if inhaled in a high enough concentration. In addition, skin contact with concentrated solutions may produce serious chemical burns. Some detergents can produce a similar reaction and cats can be particularly sensitive to certain ingredients such as phenols. As a general rule, store all cleaning products in a  cabinet out of the reach of pets and keep them in their original packaging or in a clearly labeled and tightly sealed container.