List of Household Hazardous Materials.
Hazard Properties:
A substance is considered hazardous if it is:
- Toxic - can cause injury or death if swallowed, absorbed, or inhaled.
- Flammable - can be ignited by a flame, spark, ignition source or hot surface under almost all temperature conditions.
- Corrosive - a chemical or its vapors that can burn or destroy living tissues at the site of contact, and deteriorate or wear away the surface of a material.
- Explosive - violently bursting when exposed to pressure or heat or other substances.
Flammable products such as lighter fluids, turpentine, paint, paint thinner, kerosene, propane and gas cylinders, adhesives, and old gasoline are capable of burning or causing a fire.
Reactive products such as pool chlorine, cyanides and strong fertilizers can explode or release poisonous fumes when exposed to air, water or other chemicals.
Corrosive products such as bleach, pool chemicals, strong chemicals, acids and caustics are capable of eating away materials and destroying living tissue when contact occurs.
Toxic products such as rat poison, weed killers, antifreeze, mercury and insect killers are poisonous, either immediately or over a long period of time.
Did You Know?
Many products found in the kitchen, bath, utility and garage shelves contain hazardous or toxic chemicals.
Misuse or improper disposal of these products can pose a threat to your health. Long term or cumulative problems, such as contamination of drain fields, septic systems, and surface and groundwater can also occur.
Products containing hazardous substances must include a warning and description of the hazard.
What You Can Do
Read Labels
Consumer products containing hazardous substances must be labeled with a warning and description of the hazards. It is your responsibility to know what is toxic, its proper use and disposal.
Use Alternatives
The best way to get a "less-toxic" product is to make it yourself. For example, Consumers Union found homemade recipes for glass cleaners to be equal to or better than many commercial aerosols, sprays, and pre-moistened towels.
Buy Smart
In most cases, an all-purpose cleaner is designed to perform many different jobs. Always choose products that contain the least harmful ingredients. Select water-based instead of solvent-based products and products that require less toxic materials for clean-up.
Give It Away
Avoid purchasing more product than you can use within a reasonable period of time. Hazardous products usually have a long shelf life and work well years after purchase. Check with friends, neighbors, and community groups to see if they have a need for items like paint or fertilizers.
Disposal of Household Hazardous Waste
Proper storage and packaging for disposal is a must. Store materials in its original container and label clearly. Never mix chemicals and make sure the containers do not leak. Pack items securely in a sturdy box for transporting to one of the County's four-licensed hazardous waste
recycling centers.
Email or call 704-336-5359 x 5 with questions or comments.
