What is a toxic substance?
A toxic substance is any
chemical or mixture that is harmful to the environment, animals, or
to human health if inhaled, swallowed, or absorbed through the
skin. A poison is another name for a toxic substance that kills,
injures or impairs a living organism.
Toxic substances can be found in many of the common products
used around the home, including oven and drain cleaners, laundry
detergents, floor and furniture polish, paints, and pesticides.
Caffeine, tobacco, and alcohol are other examples of toxic
substances. Depending on the individual, exposure to a toxic
substance may result in no ill effects, effects that are
reversible, or effects that have permanent consequences. At high to
extremely high doses (much higher than the average person can
consume on a regular basis), a toxic substance might be able to
cause birth defects or other serious outcomes including brain
damage, coma, or death.
What is a pesticide?
Pesticides are chemicals used
to prevent, repel, or kill pests such as termites, fleas and mice.
Pesticides also can kill microorganisms such as bacteria and
viruses. Most pesticides contain chemicals that can be harmful to
people, animals, or the environment. Examples of products that
contain pesticides include insect repellents, insect bait traps,
and pet flea and tick products. Some common household cleaning
products also are considered pesticides. These products include
disinfectants, mildew and mold removers, some swimming pool
chemicals, and some lawn and garden products that kill weeds and
insects.
How can I tell if the products used to clean or maintain my
home are harmful or dangerous?
The product label will
indicate how toxic or hazardous a product might be. Look for the
words "caution," "warning," and "danger." Each of these words
represents an elevated level of concern. For example, "caution"
means that a product could hurt you. It could bother your skin,
make you sick if you breathe the fumes, or hurt your eyes if
contact occurs. "Warning" is more serious than "caution" and
indicates that you could become sick or seriously hurt with
improper handling of the product. "Warning" is also used to
identify products that can easily catch on fire. "Danger" indicates
serious concern. Be extremely careful when handling products that
contain the word "danger" on the label. If used incorrectly, you
could become very sick, be hurt for a long time, go blind, or even
die. "Danger" is also used on products to indicate that they could
explode if they get hot.