Hazardous Chemicals in the Modern Developed World,

Hazardous Chemicals In the modern developed world, chemicals play an important role in our lives. They are part of our food, the way we commute, how we live, and how we clean. There are a number of household chemicals, though, that are hazardous or toxic. These chemicals, if used improperly, can affect our health, and are particularly dangerous to those who already have compromised immune systems, the very old or very young.

In our homes, there are dozens and dozens of potentially hazardous substance: detergents, furniture polish, pains, cleaning products, art supplies, and more. Cleaners contain such toxins as ammonia, sulfuric and phosphoric acids, lye, chlorine, formaldehyde, and phenol. Even air fresheners contain toxins that, if ingested, can cause considerable harm. These toxins can also build up in one's system over time and cause genetic damage.

There are varieties of health effects from these homes-based hazardous chemicals; including allergic reactions, migraine headaches, dizziness, skin or eye irritation, and even in severe cases, coma or death. The health effects of these chemicals vary so much because of the type of exposure one may have: breathing, spill, or ingestion (Toxic Chemicals, 2010).

The FDA and Department of Agriculture define hazardous household products if they are: 1) ignitable (capable of burning or causing a fire); 2) corrosive (capable of destroying living tissue upon contact or eating away other materials); 3) explosive (capable of causing an explosion or to release poisonous fumes when exposed to air, water, or other chemicals); 4) Toxic (poisonous either immediately or over a long period of time; 5) radioactive (can damage genetic makeup of cells) -- rare in the home.

Based on the Federal Hazardous Substances Act of 1960, and the updated 1976 Toxic Substances Control Act, products that are potentially dangerous must be labeled appropriately. Danger -- Substances which are extremely flammable, corrosive or highly toxic Poison -- Substance that are highly toxic Warning or Caution -- Substances that are moderately or slightly toxic (Hammett, 1996). Because of the huge variety of chemicals on the market, it is impossible for any manufacturers to know exactly how their product will react with another product that may also be in the home.

Chemicals with even small amounts of humic acid (fulvic, humic and humin) may interact negatively with any number of household cleaners or bleaches. In fact, if they are quite dangerous around oxidants, aluminum compounds and strong acids or bases. Since many of these chemicals are regularly stored together; under the counter or in buckets (e.g. cleaning buckets, etc.). There are many potential interactions between chemicals. Many will combust and, depending on the fuel source amount, cause a serious fire.

Others, particularly when combining strong acids, may become so corrosive that their containers cannot prevent them from leaking, potentially causing chemical burns, or damage to containers or storage areas. Some, though, when combined emit toxic fumes that can damage or kill pets, small children, and make adults violently ill (Manahan, 1989). A cursory look around this author's home found several toxins (see table) with toxic chemicals. All of these chemicals were labeled, however, and clear wanting place on them, including suggested interventions if ingested or if contacted to the skin directly.

The United States Environmental Protection Agency is now the nation's legal hub for policing adherence to the 1960 requirements. Since so many chemicals are new combinations, though, the SPA also requires appropriate paperwork on the development of the substance, as well as its use in laboratory studies. Within each State there are various health departments who are also charged with ensuring the public's safety and more importantly cooperation with the CDC and other Federal.