Mother's Guide to Hazardous Household Substances

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Cleaners, Drain

Hydrochloric or sulfuric acid: Used to promote chemical action on organic matter.

—Hazards: Extremely corrosive. Concentrated solutions cause severe burns and eye damage. Weaker concentrations cause skin irritation and photosensitization. Inflammation and ulceration of the respiratory tract can be caused by inhaling concentrated vapors. Ingestion causes corrosion of gastrointestinal tract, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, circulatory collapse, and death.

Lye (potassium or sodium hydroxide):

Used for its chemical action on organic matter. The majority of drain cleaners contain it.

—Hazards: Extremely corrosive. Usually fatal if swallowed.

Cleaners, Household

Aerosols: Used to disperse active ingredients in a variety of household products.

—Hazards: Beyond the hazards of the active ingredients in aerosol sprays and the possibility of explosion, the propellants themselves present a danger. Today, most propellants are either nitrous oxide (which is associated with brain damage and may cause cancer) or propane (which is highly flammable). Aerosol sprays produce vapors that can easily be inhaled deep into the lungs, greatly increasing the hazards of any toxicants contained in the product or which are carried with it.

Sodium dodecylbenzenesulfonate: Used to dissolve grease and oil.

—Hazards: Causes skin irritation and, if swallowed, vomiting.

Sodium hypochlorite: Used to bleach and disinfect.

—Hazards: Ingestion causes corrosion of mucous membranes, perforation of esophagus and gastric areas, and laryngeal edema. Inhalation causes bronchial irritation and pulmonary edema. Contact causes skin irritation. Mixing bleach with ammonia produces chloramine gas, which is very toxic; mixing bleach with vinegar or some acids produces chlorine gas, which is also extremely toxic.

Sodium tripolyphosphate: Used as a cleaning agent. Common in coffeepot cleaners.

—Hazards: Is moderately irritating to the skin and mucous membranes. Ingestion causes violent vomiting.

Trisodium phosphate (TSP): Used to soften water and as a cleaning agent.

—Hazards: Irritating to skin, eyes, mucous membranes. Undiluted, it is very alkaline. Cleaners, Metal

Phosphoric acid: Dissolves oxidized metal. Also used in denture cleaners.

—Hazards: Irritating to the skin and mucous membranes.

Cleaners, Oven

Aerosols: See UTILITY ROOM: Cleaners, Household.


Lye (potassium or sodium hydroxide): Used for its chemical action on organic matter.

—Hazards: See UTILITY ROOM: Cleaners, Drain.

Ammonia: Used for its chemical action on organic matter.

—Hazards: Inhalation of concentrated vapors causes edema of respiratory tract, spasm of the glottis, and asphyxia. Mixing with chlorine bleach produces toxic chloramine gas.

Cleaners, Toilet Bowl

Hydrochloric acid: Used for its chemical action on organic matter.

—Hazards: See UTILITY ROOM: Cleaners, Drain.

Cleaners, Window

Aerosols: See UTILITY ROOM: Cleaners, Household.

Ammonia: Usually mixed with water and detergent.

—Hazards: See UTILITY ROOM: Cleaners, Oven.

Dishwasher Soap

Sodium silicate (water glass): Used to protect the machine's parts.

—Hazards: Causes irritation of the skin and mucous membranes. Ingestion causes vomiting and diarrhea.

Sodium tripolyphosphate: Used as a cleaning agent.

—Hazards: See UTILITY ROOM: Cleaners, Household.

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