These profiles provide information about substances that may be hazardous to children. We have included information on the possible health effects, common exposure routes, how to detect and minimize these chemicals in your home, and possible alternatives.
Remember, the health effects noted in these profiles assume exposure to the pure form of the substance. The risk you face is affected by how much of the substance you are exposed to, its concentration, its form, the timing of the exposure (when and how long exposure occurs), other substances your child is exposed to, and his or her own individual sensitivity, which in turn can be influenced by age, sex, health status, and genetic make-up.
Scientific Name Also known as...
(2,4-dichlorophenoxy) acetic acid
Widely used herbicide 2,4-D
1,4-dichlorobenzene
used in mothballs and deodorizers paradichlorobenzene, p-dichlorobenzene, PDCB, paramothballs, para crystals, paracide, p-DCB
1,4-dioxane
solvent stabilizer in paints, pesticides; also contaminant sometimes found in personal care products
2-(2-methyl-4-chlorophenoxy)propionic acid
A widely used herbicide used on lawns and golf course mecoprop (MCPP)
3-(alpha-acetonylbenzyl)-4- hydroxycoumarin (warfarin)
highly toxic rodenticide coumafene, coumarin
alkylphenols and alkylphenol ethoxylates
surfactants and their breakdown product; used in some cleaning products, adhesives, plastics, hair care products and spermicides APEs, nonoxynol, octoxynol, nonylphenol, octylphenol, nonylphenol ethoxylate, octylphenol ethoxylate
ammonia
gas with sharp, irritating odor, used in some household cleaners, such as window cleaners
arsenic
toxic heavy metal arsenic compounds, such as chromated copper arsenate (CCA), arsenic pentoxide, calcium arsenate, lead arsenate, sodium arsenate, arsenic trioxide, potassium arsenate
asbestos
mineral fibers that are similar to fiberglass, which can cause cancer
aspartame
artificial sweetener
atrazine
a triazine herbicide, the most commonly used herbicide in the U.S. due to its widespread use on corn fields atrazine
benfluralin
Herbicide used primarily on lawns and golf courses Benefin®
benzene
volatile organic compound (VOC) that is a known human carcinogen
bisphenol-A (BPA)
building block of polycarbonate plastic
bromethalin
toxic rodenticide that affects the nervous system
butylated hydroxyanisole
food and cosmetic preservative BHA, BHT
cadmium
heavy metal cadmium oxide, cadmium carbonate, cadmium chloride, cadmium nitrate, cadmium sulfide, cadmium sulfate, cadmium selenium sulfide, cadmium telluride
carbaryl
neurotoxic insecticide used in anti-flea products and garden pesticides. 1-naphthol N-methylcarbamate, Sevin®
chlorine
highly corrosive gas chloramine, sodium hypochlorite, bleach, hydrochloric acid, trihalomethanes, disinfection byproducts
Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus, D. farinae
microscopic insects that live in house dust and bedding dust mite, household dust, dust
diazinon
An organophosphate insecticide diazinon
dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane (DDT)
persistent organochlorine insecticide, banned in the U.S., but used in other countries DDT, DDE
dichloromethane
volatile organic compound used in paint strippers methylene chloride, MC, DCM, methylene bichloride, methylenedichloride
dieldrin
organochlorine insecticide
diethanolamine
foaming agent DEA
d-limonene
naturally occurring oil used in cleaners, foods and fragrances.
environmental tobacco smoke (ETS)
smoke produced by burning tobacco products secondhand smoke. passive smoke
fipronil
insecticide used to control cockroaches, ants, fleas, ticks, mites and termites fipronil
fluoride
Compound added to water and toothpaste to prevent tooth decay.
formaldehyde
volatile organic compound that is a common indoor air pollutant formalin, urea formaldehyde, phenol formaldehyde
glyphosate
widely used herbicide Roundup®
lead
highly toxic metal once used in paints
mercury
toxic heavy metal elemental mercury, quicksilver, colloidal mercury, metallic mercury
molds
allergenic fungi that occur throughout nature and can grow on any surface aspergillus, altenaria, stachybotrys, penicillium, cladosporium
N,N-diethyl-meta-toluamide
insect repellent DEET, N,N-diethyl-m-toluamide, diethyltoluamide
naphthalene
moth repellent mothballs, moth flakes, white tar, tar camphor
nitrite, nitrate
food preservative that is also naturally occurring sodium nitrate, potassium nitrate, ammonium nitrate
parabens
potentially allergenic preservatives used in many personal care products methylparaben, propylparaben, ethylparaben, butylparaben
perchloroethylene
drycleaning fluid PCE, perc, tetrachloroethylene
phthalates
additives used in PVC plastic (vinyl), cosmetics, wood finishes and insecticides DEHP, DINP, DBP, DEP, DIP
polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs)
Brominated flame retardants PBDEs, brominated flame retardants, deca-BDE, octa-BDE, penta-BDE
polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs)
toxic organochlorine compounds, once used as insulators in electrical equipment, that remain in the environment years after their use was banned in 1977 PCBs
polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs)
particles formed when coal, oil, gas, garbage, tobacco and food are burned benzo[a]pyrene, BaP, PAH, PAHs
radon
naturally occurring radioactive gas that causes lung cancer; found in basements
sodium laureth sulfate
sudsing agent used in shampoos and other products SLES
talc
powdered mineral used in baby products and cosmetics talcum powder, baby powder, soapstone, French chalk, magnesium silicon
trichloroethylene
solvent use in spot removers, adhesives and other products TCE
turpentine
a strong-smelling, flammable solvent made from the resin and oil of pine trees, used in paint thinners turpentine, oil of turpentine, terpene
xylenes
solvent and volatile organic compound (VOC) used in paints, ink markers, adhesives. m-xylene, o-xylene, p-xylene
Just a list to keep you informed of your surroundings. Have a great day.
Angie P
www.dahodreams.fourpointwellness.com
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