Materials That May Be Hazardous to Your Health

The following materials may be hazardous to your health and the environment:

• Ammonia is a chemical compound consisting of nitrogen and hydrogen.  Its household form (ammonium hydroxide) is a solution of ammonia in water.  Ammonium hydroxide affects the eyes, skin, respiratory system and may cause headaches, nausea, coughing.  A component of window cleaners, stain removers and detergents.



• Bisphenol A (BPA) is an organic (i.e., carbon-based) compound used in polycarbonate plastic bottles and in the plastic lining of canned food.  It is deemed generally safe by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and the European Commission, but the FDA issued a statement in January 2010 that raises concern about the safety of BPA and the effect of BPA exposure to fetuses and children ("Update on Bisphenol A for Use in Food Contact Applications: January 2010". U.S. Food and Drug Administration. 15 January 2010. http://www.fda.gov/NewsEvents/PublicHealthFocus/ucm197739.htm. Retrieved 15 January 2010.) .  However, various agencies, groups and scientists believe that the use of BPA is hazardous because it is an endocrine disruptor (Pure Appl. Chem. 75 (11-12): 2099-2123, at www.iupac.com), may induce chronic toxicity (Environ. Health Perspect. 113 (8): 926-33, at www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/9074884) and it may have neural and behavioral effects in fetuses and infants (National Toxicology Program, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (2007-11-26). "CERHR Expert Panel Report for Bisphenol A", at http://cerhr.niehs.nih.gov/chemicals/bisphenol/BPAFinalEPVF112607.pdf).



• Chlorine bleach is a common household chemical compound.  If mixed with other liquids such as vinegar, lemon juice or chemicals contained in drain cleaners, it releases chlorine gas, which is highly toxic.  It is often used in cleaners, detergents, laundry bleach, clothing, paper products etc. There is evidence that chlorine bleach and other chemicals contained in most household cleaning products react to generate toxic chlorinated volatile organic compounds that are emitted during cleaning.  A majority of these VOCs are probable human carcinogens. (Odabasi, M., “Halogenated Volatile Organic Compounds from the Use of Chlorine-Bleach- Containing Household Products”, Environmental Science & Technology 42, 1445-1451, (2008). http://pubs.acs.org/journals/esthag/).



• PBDE (Polybrominated Diphenyl Ether) is a chemical compound that is widely used as a flame retardant in many household items and PBDE has even been found in food. Exposure to PBDEs impairs development of nervous system and can cause hormone disruption.  (http://children.webmd.com/news/20080904/fire-retardant-toxins-in-your-kids-blood).



• PFOA (Perfluorooctanoic acid) is a synthetic acid that is used in stain resistant carpets and sofas, electronic products, personal care products, building construction and in Teflon and other nonstick cookware.  PFOA is a global contaminant that is suspected of causing biological effects in humans such as liver, developmental and immune system toxicity.  High blood levels of PFOA have also been linked to lower fetal growth factors such as birth weight, birth length, abdominal circumference, and head circumference.  (Apelberg BJ, Witter FR, Herbstman JB, Calafat AM, Halden RU, Needham LL, Goldman LR.: "Cord serum concentrations of perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) and perfluorooctanoate (PFOA) in relation to weight and size at birth" Environ Health Perspect. 2007 Nov;115(11):1670-6.)  It is also a likely carcinogen. ("Perfluorooctanoic acid human health risk assessment review panel". Environmental Protection Agency. Retrieved on 2005-05-20).



• Phthalates (in the form of DINP, DIDP, DnOP, DEHP, DBP, and BBP) are plasticizers used to make vinyl/PVC flexible.   Various forms of phthalates are used in toys, medical devices and personal care products.  It is deemed generally safe by the U.S. Center for the Evaluation of Risks to Human Reproduction (CERHR), the CDC and the European Union, but the CERHR and the EU recognize it may cause serious concern for neonates and infants.  www.phthalates.org/pdfs/risk-assessment-chart.pdf.  The use of phthalates is banned in children’s toys in the EU (Directive 2005/84/EC, at http://ec.europa.eu/enterprise/chemicals/legislation/markrestr/amendments_en.htm



• Polyurethane is a polymer consisting of organic elements and urethane.  Polyurethane is flammable and is a skin, eye and respiratory system irritant when heated or burning.  It is widely used in foam mattresses, sofa cushions, carpets, laminated panels, floor coatings, textiles, paints and shoes etc.)



• PTFE (polytetrafluoroethylene) is a synthetic polymer that is used mainly as a non-stick coating for pans and other cookware.  While PTFE itself is non-toxic, it deteriorates at high temperatures and may cause flu-like symptoms in humans. Also, PTFE cannot be produced without the use of PFOA.  (Juliet Eilperin (2006-01-26). "Harmful PTFE chemical to be eliminated by 2015", Washington Post. Retrieved on 2006-09-10).



• PVC (Polyvinyl chloride) is a thermoplastic polymer.  In its unplasticised (rigid) form it is widely used in building materials, siding, magnetic cards, blinds, and similar application.  Emissions from manufacturing and disposal of PVC cause environmental concerns. See www.greenpeace.org.   In its plasticized (flexible) form, achieved generally with the addition of phthalates, it is widely used in toys, fixtures, clothing, upholstery, tubing, and similar applications. See links above for phthalates.



• Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) are vapors emitted by various solids or liquids. A VOC is an organic (i.e., carbon-based) chemical compound the vapor pressure of which is high enough under normal conditions to vaporize and enter the atmosphere. Examples of VOCs include methane, gasoline, formaldehyde and toluene. See "ESPERE Climate Encyclopedia." www.atmosphere.mpg.de. Atmospheric Chemistry Department, Max Planck Institute for Chemistry. "Industry" section. Retrieved on 2007-09-26.  VOC can have long-term and short-term health effects. See http://www.epa.gov/iaq/voc.html.