Hazards Of Household Toxins

The hazards of household toxins can reap misery on a family. Some toxins are just irritating allergens, but many have long term or fatal health risks because of their insidious nature.

Many well meaning consumers assume that if a product is on the grocery store shelf or in the neighborhood dollar store, then it is bound to be safe. That just isn't the case. Adding to the problem, government regulations requiring chemical manufacturers to list many of the most harmful ingredients in household products is weak at best.

There has been little effort made on the part of chemical manufacturers to educate consumers on the hazards of household toxins. Without the initiative of private research groups sounding the alarm regarding the short and long term effects of chemical toxins in the home, consumers would still assume their products are safe.

For example, formaldehyde is found as the by-product in many other products like dryer sheets and furniture polish. A common ingredient found in most air fresheners and deodorizers along with formaldehyde is phenol, which is a carcinogen. These chemicals cause: irritation to the eyes, nose, throat and skin; may cause nausea, headaches, nose bleeds, dizziness, memory loss, and shortness of breath.

Does this sound like something you want in your kitchen cupboards? Ammonium Hydroxide- is extremely irritable to the respiratory tract and skin. Stain removers with methylene chloride is a known cancer causing agent that can cause liver, brain, heart, and skin damage. Monoethanolamine, which is found in oven cleaners, depresses the central nervous system , which can cause dizziness or coma.

Citrus and Orange cleaners, which are marketed with the words "citrus oil" on the label, will often contain D-limonene. D-limonene is a skin and respiratory irritant. It can cause life threatening respiratory distress, especially in those with asthma or an allergic reaction. The hazards of household toxins are never ending. Many of the products we use for housework, gardening, home improvement, or car maintenance contain hazardous materials that endanger our health as well as pollute the environment.

The fact that the average house has an estimated three to 10 gallons of hazardous products in itself is a cause for alarm.  The average house has an estimated three to 10 gallons of hazardous products. While we cannot eliminate all contact with toxic materials we can minimize the contact by removing all toxic household products out of our home and away from our families!

Those who are still using toxic products should give serious consideration to eliminating them form the home and replacing them with eco-friendly, holistic alternatives as soon as possible Angella Spinney, a cancer survivor and advocate for naturalliving for 18 years, continues to help consumers avoid the (http://squidoo.com/hazardsofhouseholdtoxins) hazards of household toxins.

For a limited time you can have access to the free (http://squidoo.com/hazardsofhouseholdtoxins) Toxin Checklist by visiting her online site for healthy homes.

by Angella Spinney