Potential Poisons Hiding in Your Home
When we think of poisons and toxins, what often comes to mind for many of us are things like venom or toxic waste.
However, there are plenty of chemicals and potential mixtures that are possible with common household items that pose a significant risk to your health.
While it is important to be aware of things like poison ivy while spending time outdoors and how the bite or sting of certain insects and animals should be treated, it is just as important to know the dangers of items and products you might have in your home.
Either by themselves or mixed with other products, things like cleaners, medications, pesticides and even plants can negatively impact your health without you realizing it.
Carbon Monoxide: Perhaps the most well-known and difficult to detect, carbon monoxide gas is often referred to as the "invisible killer." Carbon monoxide poisoning is typically caused by poor ventilation in your home and it is essential your home has carbon monoxide alarms throughout.
Cleaning Products: Certain cleaning products like drain cleaners, toilet bowl cleaners and rust removers can cause burns that can be just as bad as a normal burn from a fire. Be sure to use extra caution when handling these chemicals and consider wearing sturdy cleaning gloves.
Car Products: If you have a vehicle and keep things on hand like windshield cleaner or antifreeze, make sure they are properly labeled and safely stored. If ingested, these items are poisonous to humans and pets, potentially causing death if swallowed.
Cosmetic Products: The American Academy of Pediatrics warns that many cosmetic products do not have to be tested by the FDA, so it's up to you to spot dangerous ingredients. These dangerous ingredients include heavy metals like arsenic, mercury and lead, which can all be toxic in large amounts. Also look out for latex, cobalt and nickel, which have been shown to cause allergic reactions.
Pesticides: Chemicals you may spray in your home or even outside to protect against pests may be harmful, especially to your pets or small children. If you're using pesticides inside, make sure you check the label and confirm it's safe for indoor use. When using pesticides outside, make sure you use them in a contained area that children or pets can't access. If you have any questions about choosing the right pesticide, call 1-800-858-7378 to contact the National Pesticide Information Center.
Hydrogen Peroxide and Vinegar: When mixed, these two chemicals create Peracetic acid, which can harm your eyes, skin, nose, throat and damage your lungs.
Ammonia and Bleach: When mixed, these chemicals form what is called chloramine. Chloramine can also be formed by mixing ammonia and chlorine and are normally used in very precise amounts to treat drinking water. However, in unsafe concentrations these can cause irritation to your eyes and lead to shortness of breath or even chest pain.
Bleach and Vinegar: When mixed, these chemicals from chlorine gas, which can lead to coughing, breathing issues and severely irritate your eyes. Chlorine gas also can combine with water to form hydrochloric and hypochlorous acid, which can irritate your nose, throat and lungs.
Bleach and Rubbing Alcohol: When mixed, these form a very toxic compound called chloroform. When inhaled, chloroform can cause dizziness, nausea, loss of consciousness and even death in extreme cases. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention warn that chloroform can harm your eyes, skin, liver, kidneys and your nervous system and may also cause cancer.
It is difficult, especially with small children or pets, to be aware of all of the possible poisons that are harmful. That's why proper labeling and storing any chemicals and cleaning products out of reach is key to ensuring everyone's safety.
If you suspect you or a loved one has in any way been affected by a poison, call Poison Control immediately at 800-222-1222.
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Make an appointment with your primary care doctor to learn what chemicals or substances you may be sensitive to.
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