Safe Home, Clean Earth

Background Information on Household Hazardous Products

We use household hazardous products every day in cleaning and repairing our homes, working on our cars, and tending our lawns. Most of these products are helpful to us, but if they are not properly purchased, used, stored and disposed of, they can cause a real hazard to our health and the environment, not to mention the effect on our pocketbooks.

I. What Is a Household Hazardous Product?

A general definition for household hazardous products is:

Any product that can present a higher health or environmental threat when used, stored, or thrown away improperly. When a household hazardous product is no longer usable or wanted, it becomes a household hazardous waste.

Some household hazardous products will not become wastes if they are properly used and stored (such as paints or cleansers). Other types of household hazardous products will become wastes after use no matter how they are used or stored (such as motor oil, antifreeze, or propane cylinders which are not empty).

Products are considered hazardous if they have one or more of the following properties:

• Flammable/Ignitable
• Toxic
• Corrosive
• Reactive

Toxic products are poisonous or can be harmful or fatal if swallowed, inhaled or absorbed through the skin. Examples include motor oil, some pesticides, ammonia, and bleach.

Corrosive products can burn skin or corrode other materials. Examples include drain cleaner, some oven cleaners, some toilet bowl cleaners, and lead-acid batteries.

Reactive products can explode or produce a toxic gas if combined with other substances. Examples include some drain cleaners, oven cleaners and products containing bleach/ammonia/lye.

II. How Big a Problem Are Household Hazardous Products?

Here are some statistics on household hazardous products:

• A total of 21 pounds of household hazardous wastes are generated per household each year in the United States (Waste Watch Center, Massachusetts, 1995).
• Household hazardous products make up 30 percent of the substances most frequently involved in poisonings (American Association of Poison Control Centers, 1994).
• Approximately 1 percent (over 14,000 tons per year) of a Minnesota community's waste stream is household hazardous wastes (by weight) (MN Pollution Control Agency, 1995). Although this doesn't seem to be a big amount, it can be a big problem. Even very small quantities of household hazardous wastes can cause higher health risk, environmental contamination, and community costs than municipal solid waste that's not hazardous.

III. Why Are Household Hazardous Products a Concern?

Health Problems
Most household hazardous products come with instructions for use and storage. If these instructions are not properly followed, health problems may result. Poisonings, explosions or fires, and indoor air pollution are all potential health problems.

The chemicals in these products can enter the human body in a number of ways: by absorbing through the skin, breathing into the lungs, and swallowing into the stomach. Actions such as eating, drinking, or smoking while using a household hazardous product can also be harmful. Once the chemical enters the body, it will eventually reach the bloodstream and may be stored in the body. High levels of these substances in sensitive tissues can cause illness and death.

People can be exposed to these chemicals in big doses over a short time period (acute exposure) or by small doses over a long time period (chronic exposure). There are also different levels of sensitivity to these chemicals. It is important to prevent both acute and chronic exposures to chemicals used in household hazardous products. Most negative health effects can be avoided through proper use and storage of these products (this information can usually be found on the product label).

Although a product may be allowed to be sold in this country, it doesn't mean it can't cause you harm--especially if product directions are not followed.

Examples of ways to avoid health hazards include:

• Storing paint thinner in a clearly marked, original container so it won't be mistakenly swallowed by someone thinking it was water.
• Storing an aerosol can away from the furnace. The furnace heat could cause the can to rupture, resulting in a fire.
• Wearing gloves and goggles while using a corrosive oven cleaner to prevent chemical burns to skin and eyes.

Environmental Problems Most environmental problems related to household hazardous products occur when they are thrown away. These wastes can pollute our air, water, and land when disposed of improperly--in the trash, down the household drain, on the ground, or down the storm drain.

In the Trash
In Minnesota, household garbage is taken to a waste-to-energy facility, mixed waste compost site, recycling facility, or a landfill. Placing household hazardous wastes in the waste stream can be dangerous to workers and equipment.

At waste-to-energy facilities, household hazardous wastes could cause fires or explosions, create air pollution problems when burned, or present a disposal problem in the leftover ash. At mixed waste compost sites, household hazardous wastes can contaminate the compost, restricting the way it can be used. Improperly disposing of these wastes through a recycling program can also contaminate the recyclable material, making them unusable. If disposed of in landfills, buried household hazardous wastes could seep into groundwater, polluting drinking water supplies.

Down the Drain
When household hazardous wastes are poured down the sink or toilet, they go to one of two places: a wastewater treatment plant or a septic system. A wastewater treatment plant cannot effectively treat some household hazardous wastes. These wastes pass through the plant and are discharged into surface waters (lakes, streams, or rivers). Surface water contamination can in turn contaminate fish populations and drinking water supplies posing possible health risks to the fish and people who eat them.

Pouring household hazardous wastes into a septic system can destroy the bacteria that make the system work. If the septic system becomes damaged, the wastes, along with untreated sewage, can pass through the soil and contaminate groundwater.

On the Ground
Dumped on the ground, household hazardous wastes can seep into the groundwater, polluting drinking water wells. Wastes poured on the ground can also be carried away with runoff that pollutes our water system, and in turn, pollutes our groundwater.

Down the Storm Drain
Dumping household hazardous wastes into a storm sewer is like dumping them directly into your lake or river. Eventually this polluted water may filter into the groundwater.

Examples of ways to avoid environmental hazards include:

• Recycling used oil from the car rather than pouring it down the street sewer drain. This protects nearby lakes or rivers.
• Taking a half-used bottle of pesticide to a collection site rather than pouring it on the ground. This protects local groundwater sources.
• Recycling a rechargeable battery instead of disposing of it in the trash. This prevents the toxins in the battery from being released into the air at the community waste-to-energy facility.

Community costs can include: providing collection programs for partially used household hazardous products and cleaning up improperly disposed of household hazardous wastes. One thing is clear: it is cheaper to prevent waste than pay for disposal afterwards. Learning to properly use, store, and dispose of household hazardous products can save individuals and communities money.

Examples of ways to save money include:

• Storing latex paint, driveway sealer, or water-soluble pesticides indoors, not in an unheated garage, during the winter. Freezing temperatures can turn these usable products into wastes.
• Buying only enough wood preservative for a project, even if the larger size is on sale. This eliminates leftovers to store or dispose of.
• Buying one general product instead of three different products to do a cleaning project. This saves money and cleaning time.

VI. Which Household Hazardous Products Cause the Most Concern?

To determine the hazard level of a product, take the following steps:

Signal words and what they mean:
Most Hazardous	Poison: highly toxic
	Danger: extremely hazardous
	Warning: moderately hazardous
	Caution: mildly/moderately hazardous
Least Hazardous	No Signal Word: The product is probably not hazardous. However, the product may be too old-if produced before 1987-to have a signal word, even if it is hazardous.
If you are buying a product, it's usually best to buy one with no signal words or the lowest level signal word.

Flammable Products will include the words:

• flammable
• combustible
• contains petroleum distillates
• do not use near fire or flame
• do not store near heat
• keep in cool, dry place
• use with adequate ventilation
• inflammable

• poison
• harmful or fatal if swallowed
• vapor harmful
• harmful if absorbed by skin
• avoid skin contact
• use with adequate ventilation

Corrosive products include the words:

• causes burns to skin
• caustic
• contains lye
• contains acid
• may cause burns on contact
• wear rubber gloves

Reactive products include the words:

• do not mix with...
• store separately from other products
• harmful vapors produced if mixed with...

3. Read Any Additional Label Information:
The label also includes first-aid instructions, safety precautions when using a product, and information on safe storage. By reading labels before buying a product, you can make the best choice for your health. Choosing the product that is safest to use is usually the safest environmental choice, too. Beware of label words such as "environmentally friendly," "nontoxic," "earth safe," or "green." These terms do not have a legal or scientific definition, and may be used on almost any labels. Call your county solid waste officer for disposal advice.

When purchasing cleaners, it is important to realize that not all cleaners are disinfectants. If disinfection is important, be sure the product indicates this on the product label.

V. Smart Consumer Purchasing
The best way to reduce the amount of household hazardous wastes is to reduce the amount of products you buy and use. Reduction is best done right from the start.

Remember:

• Before you buy, ask yourself if you really need a product.
• Use up existing products before you buy new ones (use your own or check with county household hazardous product exchanges). Do not use banned or restricted products.
• Use the least hazardous product to do a job. Check with your county solid waste officer for information on these products.
• Buy and use only what you need. Larger amounts may be more economical, but not if you have to dispose of some later.
• Buy products with no signal words or the lowest level signal word for that type of product.
• Buy one general purpose product rather than many specific products.
• Use alternative means of controlling insects whenever possible. Don't use the product just to prevent problems. (Check with your county extension office for more information).
• Buy pump sprays instead of aerosols. The packaging, not the product, is the problem at this time because of disposal problems. Aerosols also increase the chances of exposure by inhalation.
• Purchase toys or appliances that don't require batteries or use rechargeable batteries.

A Note on Alternative Cleaners:
Many "recipes" have been developed with less hazardous products that could be used as substitute cleaners for commercial products. Some of these recipes are safe and effective. Others may be even more hazardous than the commercial product they replace or are less effective in cleaning and disinfecting. At this time, there are no uniform testing procedures that have been used to measure the level of hazard or effectiveness of these recipes. It is important to always use the least hazardous remedy, whether the product be homemade or commercial and to use the smallest amount needed for the job.

A recent laboratory study (Olson et al., 1993) using both machine scrubbing and manual scrubbing by consumers, found that alternative cleaners varied greatly in their cleaning effectiveness and that consumers varied greatly in how willing and able they were to use "elbow grease" when cleaning. In the study, vinegar was found to be more effective in reducing microbial contamination than the other alternative cleaners tested, such as borax, ammonia, and a general detergent. However, when there are specific health related concerns which signify the need for microbial action, only registered disinfectants should be used.

VI. Proper Use Considerations

Remember:

• Read and follow safety precautions on all labels.
• Use and store products out of reach of children and pets.
• Use products in well-ventilated areas. Keep lids on as much as possible.
• Use up all of the product in a container before disposal, whenever possible.
• Use protective goggles, gloves, etc. if recommended on the label (store this equipment near these products).
• Never mix products containing chlorine with those containing ammonia (a hazardous gas can form).
• Use only the recommended amount of product for the job.
• Use nonhazardous products (such as soap and water), whenever possible. Not every job requires a commercial chemical.

Remember:

• Store products according to label directions and out of reach of children and pets.
• Store products in their original container with labels intact.
• Never mix products together. Never combine leftover products.
• Keep all products away from sources of heat or flame.
• Store latex paint, water-based products, and liquid pesticides where items won't freeze.
• Store products that warn of vapors or fumes in well-ventilated areas.
• Store products in a dry place (moisture makes containers rust and leak).

VIII. Proper Disposal

How we handle the disposal of household hazardous wastes today will have a tremendous impact on our environment in the future. If we have these products, it is important that we dispose of them in a manner that is environmentally safe, not just convenient.

Some hazardous materials provide proper disposal techniques on their labels. Unfortunately, some of the containers that do indicate disposal techniques give inaccurate information or fail to go far enough.

When considering disposing of household hazardous wastes:

1. Use It Up.
In most cases the best thing to do is to use up products according to the label directions. Do not use banned or restricted products, such as pesticides, however.

2. Reuse It.
If you weren't able to use up a product, be sure to store it properly so you can use it up at a later time. Do not store banned or restricted products.

3. Recycle It.

Some hazardous materials are recyclable (e.g., motor oil, antifreeze, lead-acid car batteries, button batteries, and nickel-cadmium batteries). Make sure you don't mix products together (e.g., motor oil and antifreeze). Check with your local solid waste office for recycling guidelines.

4. Dispose of Products Properly at Home.

Some products can be disposed of properly at home. Here are some general guidelines:

• Never burn or dump any household hazardous wastes on the ground.
• Do not bury any containers or leftover products.
• Do not mix hazardous wastes.
• Do not improperly dispose of household hazardous wastes before you move. Leave no wastes behind when you move.

5. Take Materials to a Household Hazardous Waste Collection Site.

Most counties in Minnesota now have either permanent or regular collection sites for household hazardous wastes. Check with your local county solid waste office for specific information or consult your local telephone directory for the phone number.

If you transport household hazardous wastes to a collection site, take precautions including:

• Keep wastes in the original container, if possible, with the original label.
• Make sure containers do not leak.
• Pack containers so they won't tip, break, or spill during travel.
• Properly identify each product. This is important because this identification will help match the treatment or disposal method to the specific product.
• Separate incompatible products to avoid chemical reactions.

Using collection sites is cheaper than cleaning up contaminated groundwater, but whenever possible, it is best to prevent household hazardous products from becoming waste by reducing the amounts you buy, using them up, reusing them, storing them properly, or recycling them.

IX. Conclusion
In our society, we use many chemicals daily at home or at work. We must deal with this issue at every level of society-in our industries, businesses, and homes. We must strive to reduce the amount of hazardous products we all use.

Each of us has the responsibility to take proper steps in buying, using, and storing these products. By doing this, we reduce the amount of household hazardous wastes we dispose of, thus protecting our family's health, our communities, and the environment.

Produced by Communication and Educational Technology Services, University of Minnesota Extension.

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