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Lethal Dose 50 What it means to you,
                           and other things you need to know!

Reading Household product labels

Label Lingo

Courtesy of http://www.oxyboost.com/

Figuring out whether a cleaning product is safe for you and the environment can be difficult. Manufacturers are not required by law to disclose ingredients. To help, here are definitions of terms you're likely to encounter when shopping. Your safest bet is to buy from companies that list all ingredients on their labels.

Term	What it Means	The Bottom Line
Bio-Degradable	The product will break down over time into harmless materials.	Doesn't mean the product is safe for the environment unless the manufacturer says how long it will take it to biodegrade. The sooner, the better.
Chlorine-Free	Contains no chlorine, a toxic chemical responsible for more household poisonings annually then any other and a cause of ozone depletion.	Opt for chlorine-free versions of all cleaners and stop cleaning with chlorine bleach, for your health and the environment's.
Nontoxic	Only a very large amount will cause damage.	Use of the term isn't regulated, so choose products from manufacturers that indicate in what way products are nontoxic ("non-toxic if inhaled," for example).
Oxygenated	Helps whiten and brighten by releasing oxygen, which breaks up stains and eliminates mildew.	Safer than chlorine bleach. Oxygenated products may not work as quickly as chlorine-based products, but they are effective when you follow label directions.
Phosphate-Free	Contains no phosphates (which increase a detergent's effectiveness). When phosphates enter waterways, they spur algae to overgrow, depleting oxygen and killing fish.	A meaningless marketing term. Phosphates are banned by law in all cleaning products except automatic dishwasher detergents.
Surfactants	The active cleaning agent in detergents. Conventional products often use petroleum-based surfactants.	Opt for surfactants described as plant-based; these are a better choice for the environment.

Household Hazardous Products and Ingredients

Air Freshener and Deodorizer	Formaldehyde	Toxic; carcinogen; irritant to eyes, nose, throat, and skin; may cause nausea, headaches, nosebleeds, dizziness, memory loss, and shortness of breath.
Bleach	Sodium hypochlorite	Corrosive, irritates or burns skin, eyes, respiratory tract; may cause pulmonary edema or vomiting and coma if ingested; contact with other chemicals may cause chlorine fumes.
Disinfectant	Sodium hypochlorite	Corrosive; irritates or burns skin, eyes; may cause pulmonary edema or vomiting and coma if ingested.
	Phenols	Flammable; very toxic; respiratory, circulatory, or cardiac damage.
	Ammonia	Vapor irritating to eyes, respiratory tract, and skin; possible chronic irritation.
Drain Cleaner	Sodium or potassium hydroxide (lye)	Caustic; irritant; inhibits reflexes; burns to skin, eyes; poisonous if swallowed due to severe tissue damage.
	Hydrochloric acid	Corrosive; irritant; damage to kidney, liver, and digestive system.
	Trichloroethane	Irritant to nose and eyes; central nervous system depression; liver and kidney damage if ingested.
Flea Powder	Carbaryl	Very toxic; interferes with human nervous system; may cause skin, respiratory system, cardiovascular system damage.
	Dichlorophene	Skin irritation; may damage liver, kidney, spleen, and central nervous system.
	Chlordane and other chlorinated hydrocarbons	Very slow biodegradation; accumulates in food chain; may damage eyes, lungs, liver, kidneys, and skin.
Floor Cleaner Wax	Diethylene glycol	Toxic; causes central nervous system depression and kidney, liver lesions.
	Petroleum solvents	Highly flammable; associated with skin and lung cancer; irritant to skin, eyes, nose, throat, lungs.
	Ammonia	Vapor irritation to eyes, respiratory tract, and skin; possible chronic irritation.
Furniture Polish	Petroleum distillates or mineral spirits	Highly flammable; moderately toxic; associated with skin and lung cancer; irritant to skin, eyes, nose, throat, lungs; entry into lungs may cause pulmonary edema.
Oven Cleaner	Sodium or potassium hydroxide (lye)	Caustic; irritant; inhibits reflexes; burns to skin, eyes; poisonous if swallowed due to severe tissue damage.
Paint Thinner	Chlorinated aliphatic hydrocarbons	Slow decomposition; liver and kidney damage.
	Esters	Toxicity varies with specific chemical; causes eye, nose, and throat irritation and anesthesia.
	Alcohols	Volatile and flammable; eye, nose, and throat irritation.
	Chlorinated aromatic hydrocarbons	Flammable; toxic; accumulate in food chain.
	Ketones	Flammable; toxicity varies with specific chemical; may cause respiratory ailments.
Paint	Aromatic hydrocarbon thinners	Flammable; skin irritant; benzene is a carcinogen; possible liver and kidney damage.
	Mineral spirits	Highly flammable; skin, eye, nose, throat, lung irritant; very high air concentrations may cause unconsciousness, death.
Spot Remover	Perchlorethylene or trichloroethane	Slow decomposition; liver and kidney damage; perchlorethylene is suspected carcinogen.
	Ammonium hydroxide	Corrosive; vapor extremely irritable to skin, eyes, and respiratory passages; ingestion causes tissue burns.
	Sodium hypochlorite	Corrosive; irritates skin, eyes, respiratory tract; may cause pulmonary edema and skin burns.
Toilet Bowl Cleaner	Sodium acid sulfate or oxalate or hypochloric acid	Corrosive; burns from skin contact or inhalation; ingestion may be fatal.
	Chlorinated phenols	Flammable; very toxic; respiratory, circulatory, or cardiac damage.
Window Cleaner	Diethylene glycol	Toxic; causes central nervous system depression and degenerative lesions in liver and kidneys.
	Ammonia	Vapor irritating to eyes, respiratory tract, and skin; possible chronic irritation.
Wood Stain/Varnish	Mineral spirits, gasoline	Highly flammable; associated with skin and lung cancer; irritant to skin, eyes, nose, throat, lungs; entry into lungs may cause fatal pulmonary edema.
	Methyl and ethyl alcohol	Flammable; damage to eyes, skin, central nervous system.
	Benzene	Flammable; carcinogen; accumulates in fat, bone marrow, liver tissues.
	Lead	Damage to digestive, genitourinary, neuro-muscular and central nervous system; anemia and brain damage.
Antifreeze	Ethylene glycol	Very toxic, 3 ounces can be fatal to adult; damage to cardiovascular system, blood, skin, and kidneys.
	Methanol	Moderately toxic; ingestion may cause coma, respiratory damage.
Car Wax, Polish	Petroleum distillates	Associated with and lung cancer; irritant to skin, eyes, nose, lungs; entry into lungs may cause fatal pulmonary edema.
Motor Oil/Gasoline	Petroleum hydrocarbons (benzene)	Highly flammable; associated with skin and lung cancer; irritant to skin, eyes, nose, throat, lungs; pulmonary edema; benzene is a carcinogen.
	Lead	Damage to digestive, genitourinary, neuro-muscular, and central nervous system; anemia and brain damage.

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DISCLAIMER: The information in this web site does not in any way replace or supersede the information on the product labeling or other regulatory requirements. Please refer to the  product labeling.