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The chemical make-up of the product you are
using determines if it is hazardous. The easiest way to determine if
something is hazardous is read the Label. Look for these words:
Poison, Danger, Warning or Caution
-
Poison and Danger
indicate the highest hazard levels. Poison means that a product is highly
toxic, and can cause injury or death if ingested, inhaled, or absorbed
through the skin.
-
Danger
means that a product is either highly toxic, flammable, or corrosive. Look
for the word "danger" on cleaners, polishes, paint strippers and pesticides.
"Danger" means the product could poison you, cause serious damage to your
skin or eyes, or easily cause a fire.
-
Warning
and Caution both indicate that a product is toxic, corrosive,
reactive or flammable
-
Products that don't have any of these words on the label are
least hazardous.
The
EPA has specific guidelines that manufactures most follow when determining
if a product is hazardous. The product must exhibit one of these
characteristics.
-
Toxic
Poisonous or causes long-term illness (such as cancer). Pesticides, paint
thinners, many auto products and some cleaners are toxic. Look for words on
the product label like:
- "Harmful or fatal if swallowed."
- "Use only in a well-ventilated area" (this means product fumes are
toxic).
-
Flammable
Burns easily. Paint, thinners and other solvents, and auto products are the
most flammable home products. Look for words on the product label like:
- "Do not use near heat or flame."
- "Combustible."
- "Do not smoke while using this product."
-
Corrosive
Eats through materials (acid, for example). Oven cleaners, drain cleaners,
toilet bowl cleaners and auto batteries are common corrosive products. Look
for words on the product label like:
- "Causes severe burns on contact."
- "Can burn eyes, skin, throat."
-
Reactive
Can spontaneously ignite or create poisonous vapors when mixed with other
products (therefore NEVER mix household products), or can explode when
exposed to heat, air, water or shock. Fortunately, there are few consumer
products still on the market that are explosive (except for fireworks). Some
older explosive products might still be stored in homes
For more information contact
(480) 858-2223 or email Raymond Hagen.
Friday 7:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. Saturday 7:00
a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
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