Why clean?
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Prevent the spread of infection and disease. |
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Provide positive environment for healthier lifestyle |
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Extend life |
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Historically simple hand washing has been proven the best
tool to prevent infection and spread of disease in hospitals
and clinics |
What is Hazardous?
The U.S. Environmental
Protection Agency (EPA) defines a substance as hazardous if it
is flammable, can react or explode when mixed with other
substances, is corrosive or toxic.
Where are hazardous exposures found?
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Many people believe that hazardous or toxic chemicals are
found only in industries , Pharmaceuticals or automobiles. |
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However a wide range of products that we use in our homes
contain chemicals that fit the definition of hazardous or
toxic |
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Hazardous products line our kitchen, bath, utility, and
garage shelves |
How do you know if a product
is hazardous?
Check the label
The signal words on the label are
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CAUTION |
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WARNING |
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DANGER |
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POISON |
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FATAL IF SWALLOWED |
Examples of Common
Household Cleaners
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Soaps |
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Laundry detergents |
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Fabric softeners |
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Glass cleaners |
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Dishwashing detergents |
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Bleaches |
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Bathroom tub cleaners |
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Air fresheners |
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Chlorine |
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Toilet bowl cleaners |
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Floor cleaners |
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Jewelry cleaners |
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Carpet cleaners |
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Oven cleaners |
What do they really contain?
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Petrochemicals |
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Caustics |
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Solvents |
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Sodium hypochlorite |
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Synthetic whiteners
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Ammonia fumes |
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Volatile Organic Compounds |
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Surfactants |
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Some harmful health effects caused by
household cleaners: |
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Asthmagens |
Household chemicals can cause occupational
asthma, lung irritation, and breathing difficulty
as well as:
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Kidney damage |
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Skin irritation |
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Severe eye irritation |
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Skin rashes |
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Headaches |
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Migraines |
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Birth Defects |
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Neurological defects |
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Carcinogens
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Causes cancers |
Other harmful effects:
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Harmful environmental effects |
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Waste products in sewer which become toxic to
aquatic organisms |
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VOCs contribute to smog formation |
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Non-biodegradable compounds affect ecology |
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Pollution in drinking water |
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Pollution in air |
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Long term contamination of drain fields |
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Combining commercial products makes harmful
effect worse |
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Bleach + Ammonia = highly toxic chlorine
gasHot water acts as a catalyst for many toxic reactions |
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Lost time |
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Lost money |
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Lost energy |
Why do we still use them?
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Convenience |
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Save time |
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Marketing |
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In fact they are expensive |
What do I do?
Start thinking about green cleaning your house
First Step: Box up all commercial cleaners and
contact:
Round Rock Recycling
Center
310 Deep Wood Dr.
512-218-5400
www.roundrocktexas.gov
Step Two Prevention:
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Good housekeeping practices |
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Store food in sealed containers |
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Wipe up spills |
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Bathe pets frequently to eliminate fleas & odor |
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Use screen over drains to catch food particles, hair
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Wipe oven after each use to avoid hard to clean baked on
stains |
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Use liners to catch spills |
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Air out house frequently to avoid use of air fresheners |
Green Cleaning Kit:
Create you own green cleaning kit with non-toxic, ecologically
safe products
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Bucket |
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Spray bottle |
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Rag or scrubber |
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White vinegar |
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Baking soda, Borax |
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Mild soap |
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Mop |
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Gloves |
Safety First
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Do not mix Chlorine bleach with any other agents with
ammonia or vinegar, to avoid toxic fumes |
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Keep out of reach of children |
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Wear gloves |
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To avoid accidental poisoning never transfer a product to a
container that once held food or drink |
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Label each container |
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Mix cleaning solutions in a well ventilated area |
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Never smoke or eat while handling hazardous material |
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Keep the containers closed, to avoid escape of harmful fumes |
Air Fresheners
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Open windows |
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Use exhaust fan |
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Sprinkle baking soda in odor producing areas |
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Keep open box of baking soda in the refrigerator to absorb
food odors |
Tub and Sink Cleaners
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Use baking soda instead of scouring powder |
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Sprinkle on porcelain fixtures and rub with a wet rag |
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Add mild soap to rag for more power |
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Rinse well to avoid leaving a hazy film |
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For rust / hard water stains use vinegar/lime juice |
Window and Mirror Cleaners
Indoors
¼ cup vinegar in spray bottle filled with water
Spray on surface
Rub with lint-free rag
Outdoors
Use sponge and warm water mixed with drops of liquid soap
Rinse well
Squeegee dry
Linoleum Floor Cleaners
½ cup vinegar in bucket of
warm water
Mop the floor
Vinegar odor will disappear after floor dries
Toilet Bowl Cleaner
Sprinkle baking soda inside
bowl
Put some drops of soap in
Scrub with toilet bowl brush
Finish outside surface with sprinkled baking soda
Rinse
Drain Cleaner
Baking soda
Pour ½ cup baking soda down drain
Vinegar
Pour ½ cup vinegar down drain
Let it fizz for a few minutes
Pour very hot water carefully down the drain
Repeat if needed
If clog is stubborn, use a plunger or a mechanical snake
Oven Cleaner
Do not use this cleaner on
self cleaning ovens
Mix 1 cup of baking soda with enough water to make a paste
Apply to oven surfaces
Let stand for several minutes
Scrub with scouring pad
Do it regularly
Copper Cleaner
Do not use this cleaner
lacquered finishes
Mix equal parts of vinegar and salt (1 tsp)
Apply to surface with rag
Rinse thoroughly with water to prevent corrosion
Apply vegetable oil (for a shiny appearance)
For silver Cleaning use tooth paste
All-purpose Cleaner
Liquid soap on a wet
washcloth
Rub briskly to remove spots on linoleum, tile and woodwork
More Helpful tips
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When it comes to commercial cleaners, less is better |
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Spot treat rather than washing |
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Never combine two commercial toxic cleaners which contain
chlorine and ammonia |
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Don’t over clean |
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Avoid products marked “Poison” or “Danger” |
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Be careful with products marked “Caution” or “Warning” |
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Read the label for ingredients, instructions for use,
storage, disposal and hazards associated with use |
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Avoid aerosol spray cans as much as possible |
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To avoid inhalation of toxic fumes |
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Buy liquid, paste or powder forms |
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Select least toxic products , organic products |
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Buy only as much as you will use |
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Avoid antibacterial soaps, they can cause bacterial
resistance, MRSA |
The Austin Diagnostic
Clinic (ADC) is a multi-specialty clinic with physicians
representing 24 medical specialties at more than 6 locations.
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