A Small Dose of Toxics in the Home

• An Introdouction into the Health Effects of Toxics in the Home

Toxics in the Home Dossier

• Name: Toxics at Home
• Use: Various uses in household products (medicines, pesticides, cleaning agents, paint, mercury thermometers, plastics)
• Source: Naturally occurring (mold, radon) and purchased household products
• Recommended daily intake: usually not recommended
• Absorption: skin, oral, inhalation
• Sensitive individuals: children (account for majority of poisoning incidents around the home)
• Toxicity/symptoms: varies greatly (acute and long-term effects)
• Regulatory facts: EPA, FDA, Consumer Product Safety Commission
• General facts: Many home products are necessary, but often less toxic alternatives are available
• Environmental: serious environmental concern (i.e. mercury, detergents)
• Recommendations: use less toxic alternatives, dispose of hazardous wastes properly

Toxics in the Home Chapter

• A Small Dose of Toxics in the Home - chapter pdf

PowerPoint presentation

• A Small Dose of Toxics in the Home - PowerPoint presentation (1 mgb)

Toxics in the Home

• Radon
• Lead in paint
• Indoor air pollutants
• Second-hand smoke
• Mold & mildew
• Household hazardous waste
• Dust from inside and tracked in from out side
• Consumer products, e.g. old foam mattresses or cushions
• Household products
• Cleaning products, cosmetics and personal care products, paints, medications, pesticides, fuels, and various solvents, mercury-based thermometers

Poisoning events in United States - 2007

• 2.5 million reported exposures
• 1.6 million information calls
• 51% involved children under age 6
• 93% occurred in the home
• 423,290 treated in a health care facility
• 1,597 deaths reported in 2007

Volatile Toxic Chemicals

• Chlorpyrifos was discontinued in U.S. for household use after the end of 2001.

Chronic Health Effects

• Potential for listed ingredient to be found in product or category varies depending on product formulations.

More Information and References

European, Asian, and international Agencies

• England – Department of Health – Healthy Schools. (accessed: 16 August 2009). Healthy Schools, while focusing on schools is wonderful site with information of students, parents, and teachers on creating a healthy in door environment.

• World Health Organization – Child Health. (accessed: 16 August 2009). Site has information on global child health issues.

North American Agencies

• US Household Products Database – National Institutes of Health, National Library of Medicine. (accessed: 16 August 2009). Site has a range of information about household products including their potential health threats.

• US Environmental Protection Agency - Household Waste Management. (accessed: 16 August 2009). Site has a self-directed educational program on managing household waste.

• US Environmental Protection Agency – Household Hazardous Waste. (accessed: 16 August 2009). Site has general information on household hazardous waste.

• US Environmental Protection Agency - Office of Pollution Prevention & Toxics (OPPT). (accessed: 16 August 2009). The site promotes safer chemicals and risk education.

• US Environmental Protection Agency – Indoor Air Quality (IAQ).|http://www.epa.gov/iaq/] (accessed: 16 August 2009). This site contains information on indoor air and related health issues.

• California – Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment – Education – Art Hazards Program. (accessed: 16 August 2009). Site has information on hazards art supplies and substitutes.

Non-Government Organizations

• American Lung Association of Washington (ALAW). (accessed: 16 August 2009). Site has information on childhood asthma and the Master Home Environmentalist Program.

• American Association of Poison Control Centers (AAPCC). (accessed: 16 August 2009). “AAPCC is a nationwide organization of poison centers and interested individuals.”

• California Poison Control System (CPCS). (accessed: 16 August 2009). Site has wide range of information on poisons in and around the home.

• Environmental Working Group (EWG). (accessed: 16 August 2009). This organization provides information on a range of consumer products including data bases on sunscreens and cosmetics.

• Center for Health, Environment and Justice - Child Proofing our Communities Campaign. (accessed: 16 August 2009). Site is “geared to protect children from exposures to environmental health hazards.”

• [Washington Toxics Coalition (WTC).] (accessed: 16 August 2009). WTC provides information on model pesticide policies, alternatives to home pesticides, information on persistent chemical pollutants, data bases on toxic free toys, and much more.

• Washington State, Seattle – Environment. (accessed: 16 August 2009). Site covers information on encouraging a sustainable environment including purchasing less toxic products.

• Green Seal. (accessed: 16 August 2009). Green Seal encourages the purchasing of products and services that cause less toxic pollution and waste.

• Washington State, King County – Household Hazardous Waste. (accessed: 16 August 2009). Site contains information on managing and disposing of household hazardous products and waste.

• Women's Voices for the Earth. (accessed: 16 August 2009). WVE has information on green clean products and household hazards.

• Clean Production Action - Sick of Dust Chemicals in Common Products. (accessed: 16 August 2009). CPA’s report on chemicals in dust and other green products.

Reference

• A Guide to Health Risk Assessment. California Environmental Protection Agency, Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment. Available as a pdf file. Online.: (accessed: 16 August 2009).

• Bronstein, A.C., Spyker, D.A., Cantilena, L.R. JR, Green, J.L., Rumack, B.H., Stuart E.
  Heard, S.E. 2007 Annual Report of the American Association of Poison Control Centers' National Poison Data System (NPDS): 25th Annual Report. Clinical Toxicology, 46:10, 927-1057 Available online: http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/15563650802559632

• Ott, Wayne R., and John Roberts. Everyday Exposure to Toxic Pollutants; Scientific American, February 1998.
  Steinemann, Anne C. Fragranced consumer products and undisclosed ingredients. Environmental Impact Assessment Review. 29(1), 2009, 32-38.