Overall, chlorine is a dangerous chemical to keep in your home. In 1993, 40,000 exposures to chlorine were reported to poison control centers which is more than any other chemical. Fragranced chlorine bleaches are especially dangerous because odor is disguised and actually makes experience of inhaling chlorines bleach pleasant.

Mixing household products containing chlorine with other cleaning agents is another danger due to fact that these mixtures can create chlorine gas and chloramines, toxic gases that can injure deep tissues of lungs.

Whenever chlorine is used, organochlorides are formed which are forerunners to dioxins, a deadly class of compounds that cause toxic health effects. A new EPA draft report on dangers of dioxins warns for first time that even trace amounts can cause serious health problems including birth defects, genetic mutations, threats to immune and reproductive systems, damage to liver, kidneys and skin and even cancer.

WHAT TO LOOK FOR

- Read labels on cleaning supplies and look for those which contain chlorine.

HEALTHY TIPS

- Avoid using cleaners which contain chlorine. - Find safer, more natural and environmentally responsible products to clean your home. - Never mix bleach with acids such as vinegar, ammonia, toilet bow cleaners, drain cleaners or chlorinated scouring powder as it produces deadly chloramines gas which may result in burning of mucous membranes and chemical pneumonia.

Brought to you by http://www.SmartLivingNews.com

Disinfectants may contain one or more of following hazardous substances: ammonia, cationic detergents, cresol, lye, and phenol and pine oil. Air fresheners have been found to contain formaldehyde which is highly toxic and a known carcinogen (cancer causing). Air fresheners may also contain phenol which upon contact with skin may cause swelling, burning, peeling and breaking out in hives. Phenol can also cause cold sweats, convulsions, circulatory collapse, coma and even death.

Some mold and mildew cleaners contain sodium hypochlorite which is corrosive, may irritate or burn skin and eyes, and may cause fluid in lungs which can lead to coma or death. Formaldehyde is another ingredient in mold and mildew cleaners which is a highly toxic carcinogen causing nausea, headaches, nosebleeds, dizziness, memory loss and shortness of breath.

Did you know that manufacturers are not required by law to list exact ingredients on a label but rather can use other names to describe ingredients which may appear less threatening to your health? Alarmingly, manufacturers are no longer required to place skull and cross bone symbol on poisonous products.

WHAT TO LOOK FOR

- Become an avid reader of labels on household cleaners you purchase and look for ingredients that appear caustic or toxic.

HELPFUL AND HEALTHY TIPS TO AVOID FOOD CONTAMINATION:

- Educate yourself to characteristics of various ingredients to ensure that you are not exposing your family to toxic chemicals - Stop using those products which contain toxic materials - Look for alternative products which are non-toxic, natural, and environmentally conscious and replace your toxic cleaners with these.

Brought to you by http://www.SmartLivingNews.com