There are many chemicals that can be hazardous
to your health. Listed below is a hazardous material classification
chart that you should become familiar with.
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Fact Sheets:
Respiratory Hazards and Janitorial Cleaners.
This fact sheet talks about what
kind of cleaning products pose respiratory hazards. It pays particular
attention to disinfectants that contain ammonium quaternary compounds.
Toxics in Everyday
Products.
This fact sheet talks
about Toxic Release Inventory (TRI) Chemicals that may be found in
products and their potential health effects.
Environmental Health Threats to Children: A look at the facts.
This fact sheet talks about the dangers of children's exposures to
chemical toxins.
Western Regional Pollution Prevention Network
This web site has a lot of information and fact sheets
on how to clean bathrooms, floors, etc. They break down the possible
hazards of everyday cleaning chemicals that are used by janitorial
workers.
What
cleaning products are the most risk to you?
Source: The Janitor
Safety Project.
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Product |
Hazardous Ingredients |
How These Can Harm You |
Glass Cleaner
General Purpose Cleaner
Carpet Spot Remover |
A Solvent called "Butoxyethanol" |
Butoxyethanol absorbs through your
skin and poisons your blood, liver, and kidneys
Wear gloves when you use cleaners
with this ingredient |
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Toilet Cleaner |
Hydrochloric Acid
Phosphoric Acid |
These acids are very good for
removing hard water rings, but they can also blind you in seconds.
Wear your gloves and goggles or
better yet change to a milder product (one with Citric Acid -
strong lemon juice. |
Oven Cleaner
Heavy Duty Degreaser |
Sodium Hydroxide |
Oven cleaner in a spray can - very
convenient, but also very dangerous. Sodium hydroxide can blind
you, and the vapors can harm your lungs.
Use it with care - wear gloves and
goggles, and provide lots of fresh air. |
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