Read our latest handouts
Do It Yourself Tips - Bleach for Disinfecting (Printable PDF)
Do It Yourself Tips - Using Bleach to Whiten Clothing (Printable PDF)
Do It Yourself Tips - Drain Cleaner (Printable PDF)
Do It Yourself Tips - Alternatives to Detergents and Fabric Softeners (Printable PDF)
Common Household Sources of Toxics
(click on the links for more detail)
Every day, more and more people are becoming increasingly aware of the toxics and hazards that lurk around the home. There are a host of health and environmental hazards associated with most of the products we commonly use for cleaning. What can we do about the risks, both to protect personal health and the inevitable harm to streams, rivers and soil that we depend on? Here at Beyond Toxics, we are researching common household toxins and easy Do It Yourself alternatives that minimize harm to the environment and our health.
Chemicals Revealed
Over 5000 children’s products contain toxic chemicals linked to cancer, hormone disruption, and reproductive problems, according to reports filed with the Washington State Department of Ecology (Ecology). The reports were filed by manufacturers in compliance with the state's Children's Safe Products Act of 2008.
We analyzed these reports in Chemicals Revealed: 5,000 Kids’ Products Contain Toxic Chemicals and found that makers of kids’ products reported using a total of 41 chemicals identified by Ecology as a concern for children’s health, including toxic metals such as cadmium, mercury, and antimony, and organic compounds such as phthalates.
Chemical Policy Reform database (consumer products oriented) from the Environmental Working Group
Environmental Working Group Resources:
- EWG’s Guide to Healthy Cleaning
- EWG’s Top Tips for Healthy Cleaning
- EWG’s Healthy Living: Home Guide
Non-Toxic Do-It-Yourself Recipes
Women’s Voices for The Earth presents non-toxic recipes for home products that are safe, healthy, and good for your wallet, too!
We've pulled together the latest research* for an overview of the information about common household products, their toxicity, alternatives to their use, and disposal suggestions. We hope you find this service of value.
Resources
If you wish to learn more about the health impacts of individual toxic chemicals found in household products, please go to ATSDR ToxFAQs (ATSDR = Agency for Toxic Substances & Disease Registry). ToxFAQ's is a series of summaries about exposure to hazardous substances and the effects of exposure on human health developed by the ATSDR Division of Toxicology. Each fact sheet is searchable by chemical name and serves as a quick and easy-to-understand guide.
Also: Cleaning Your House May Be As Bad As Smoking 20 Cigarettes A Day (Forbes)
Also, see the book, "How Toxic Is Your Home?" by Debra Lynn Dadd.
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