Hazardous Chemicals to Avoid[1]

Alkylphenols and their derivatives

Alkylphenol Ethoxylates are found in some laundry detergents, disinfecting cleaners, all-purpose cleaners, spot removers, hair colors and other hair-care products, and spermicides. (Source: Washington Toxics Coalition)
Alkylphenol Ethoxylates form Alkylphenols during their environmental breakdown. These phenols are slow to bio-degrade and have been shown to disrupt the endocrine systems of fish, birds, and mammals. (Source: Washington Toxics Coalition)

Ammonia

Eye irritant, can cause headaches and lung irritation. If mixed with chorine, it releases toxic chloramine gas. Short-term exposure to chloramine gas may cause mild asthmatic symptoms or more serious respiratory problems. (Source: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency)

Chlorine (Sodium hypochlorite)

· In paper products, like toilet paper and paper towels, chlorine bleach causes the formation of dioxin, an extremely toxic and persistent chemical known to cause cancer and disrupt the endocrine system. Customers can find chlorine-free paper products from virtually any natural food stores.

· In cleaning products, chlorine bleach, or sodium hypochlorite, is a lung and eye irritant and if mixed with ammonia or acid-based cleaners (including vinegar), chlorine bleach releases toxic chloramine gas. Short-term exposure to this gas may cause mild asthmatic symptoms or more serious respiratory problems. (Source: Washington Toxics Coalition)

· DO NOT mix chlorine bleach with anything- or even better avoid chlorine bleach altogether. The EPA recommends using non-chlorine bleaches such as hydrogen peroxide to bleach clothes.

Formaldehyde (a preservative in many products):

Suspected human carcinogen; strong irritant to eyes, throat, skin, and lungs. (Source: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency)

Hydrochloric Acid or Sodium Acid Sulfate (found in toilet bowl cleaners)

Either can burn the skin or cause vomiting diarrhea and stomach burns if swallowed; also can cause blindness if inadvertently splashed in the eyes. (Source: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency)

Naphthalene or paradichlorobenzene (found in mothballs)

Naphthalene is a suspected human carcinogen that may damage eyes, blood, liver, kidneys, skin, and the central nervous system; paradichlorobenzene can harm the central nervous system, liver, and kidneys. (Source: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency)

Nitrobenzene (found in furniture and floor polishes):

causes skin discoloration, shallow breathing, vomiting, and death; associated with cancer and birth defects.

Perchloroethylene or 1-1-1 trichloroethane solvents (found in spot removers and carpet cleaners)

Can cause liver and kidney damage if ingested; perchloroethylene is an animal carcinogen and suspected human carcinogen. (Source: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency)

Petroleum distillates (found in metal polishes):

Short-term exposure can cause temporary eye clouding; longer exposure can damage the nervous system, skin, kidneys, and eyes.

Phenol[jeb1] and Cresol (found in disinfectants):

A corrosive that can cause diarrhea, fainting, dizziness, and kidney and liver damage.

Phosphates

[sts2]

Phosphates are minerals that act as water softeners. However, they also act as fertilizers which is why when phosphates are discharged into rivers, lakes, estuaries, and oceans they can cause a rapid growth of algae [sts3] , resulting in pollution of the water.

Some phosphate-free alternatives are available and hand dishwashing liquids do not contain phosphates. (Source: Washington Toxics Coalition)

Volatile organic compounds [sts4]

Some of the hazardous volatile organic compounds (VOCs) that frequently pollute indoor air, such as toluene, styrene, xylenes, and trichloroethylene, may be emitted from aerosol products, dry-cleaned clothing, cleaners and air fresheners. (Source: Washington Toxics Coalition)

High levels of toluene can put pregnant woman at risk of having babies with neurological problems, retarded growth, and developmental problems.
(Source: Washington Toxics Coalition)

Other VOCs, such as xylene, ketones, and aldehydes, are found in many aerosol products and air fresheners. Recent research found that babies less than six months old in homes where air fresheners are used on most days had 30 percent more ear infections than those exposed less than once a week.
(Source: Washington Toxics Coalition)

Babies frequently exposed to aerosols had a 22 percent increase in diarrhea, and pregnant women frequently exposed to these products had 25 percent more headaches and a 19 percent increase in postnatal depression compared to those less frequently exposed.

Paints, cleaners, and other products with no or very low levels of VOCs and other hazardous ingredients are available. (Source: Washington Toxics Coalition)

[1] This list is recreated from information found at: http://www.ems.org/household_cleaners/four.html