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Toxics in Everyday Products

Some Toxic Release Inventory (TRI) Chemicals That May Be Found in Products,and Their Potential Health Effects

TRI chemical	Potential Health Effects*	Some of the Products It May Be Found In

Acetaldehyde	A,C,E	Adhesives
Acetone	Ch, E	Varnishes, lacquers, paint thinners, furniture strippers, adhesives, nail polish remover, art supplies, metal polish
Acrylonitrile	A,C,D,E,R	Fabrics, apparel
Ammonia	A, Ch, E	All-purpose cleaners, glass cleaners, hair dyes
1,3-Butadiene	C, Ch, D, R	Carpets
Carbaryl	A, Ch, E, N, R	Pesticides, pet flea and tick treatments
Cadmium	A, C, Ch, D, E, R	Nickel-cadmium batteries
Chlorine	A, Ch, E	Chlorine bleach, disinfectants
Chlorothalonil	C, E	Lawn care chemicals
Cresol	A, Ch, E	Art supplies, disinfectants
2, 4-D	A, C, D, E, R	Lawn care chemicals
Dibutyl phthalate	Ch, D, E, R	Paint, adhesives
1,2-Dichlorobenzene	E	Carpets
1,4-Dichlorobenzene	(see paradichlorobenzene)
Dichloromethane	(see methylene chlordide)
Di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP)	C, Ch, D, E, M, R	Pliable plastics, fabrics, apparel, hair spray
Diethyl phthalate	A, E	Paint, adhesives
2-Ethoxyethanol	Ch, D, R	Polyurethane wood finish
Ethylbenzene	Ch, D, E, R	Carpets, paint
Ethylene glycol	Ch	Deodorants/antiperspirants, paint
Formaldehyde	C, Ch, E, M, R	Plywood, particle board, clothing, adhesives, upholstery fabric, fingernail polish
Hydrochloric acid	A, Ch	Toilet cleaners
Lead	D, N, R	Batteries, stain/varnish/sealant, hair dyes
Mercury	Ch, E, N, R	Batteries
Methanol	N	Paint Thinners, strippers, adhesives
Methyl chloroform	(see 1,1,1-trichlorethane)
Methylene chloride (dichloromethane)	C	Spray pain, rust paints, paint strippers, adhesive removers, pesticides
Methyl ethyl ketone	C, D, N, R	Paint thinner, adhesives, cleaners, waxes
Methyl isobutyl ketone	Ch, N	Paint thinner, pesticides
Naphthalene	E	Mothballs, adhesives, pesticides
Nickel	C, Ch, D, R	Batteries
n-Butyl alcohol	Ch	Paint strippers, perfume, aftershave lotion
Paradichlorobenzene (p-dichlorobenzene or 1,4-dichlorobenzene)	C, Ch, E	Mothballs/crystals, certain air freshners, toilet deodorizers
Pentachlorophenol	A, D, E, R	Varnish/stain/sealant
Perchloroethylene (tetrachloroethylene)	C, Ch, D, E, R	Dry cleaning, rug/upholstery cleaners, spot removers
Phenol	A, D, E	Art supplies, adhesives
Phosphoric acid	No health effects listed	Metal polish
Styrene	C, Ch, E, M	Carpets, building materials
Sulfuric acid	A, Ch, E	Batteries
Tetrachloroethylene	(see perchloroethylene)
Toulene	D, E, M, R	Paint, nail polish, furniture strippers, adhesives, art supplies, carpets, paint strippers and thinners
1,1,1-Trichloroethane (methy chloroform)	D, E, R	Carpets, dry cleaning, spot removers, fabrics, typewriter correction fluid, adhesives/glues
Vinyl chloride	C, Ch, D, M, R	A variety of household plastics, including furnishings and apparel
Xylenes	Ch, D, E, R	Paints, adhesives, pesticides, art supplies, furniture strippers
Zinc	E	Batteries

* Information on potential health effects comes fromthe US EPA's toxicity matrix of chemicals (published by several environmental organizations) which the EPA developed from a preliminary survey of existing scientific databases. If a particular health effect is not shown after a chemical, it may mean that this health effect is not a concern for that chemical, or that the effect was not reported, or that the chemical has not been tested.

Key to Abbreviations:

A = Acute toxin (may cause harn through short exposure; e.g., burns, breathing problems)
C = Carcinogen (may cause cancer)
Ch = Chronic toxin (may cause damage over a period of years)
D = Development effects (may cause miscarriages or birth defects)
E = Environmental toxin (may harm wildlife)
M = Mutagen (may affect genes and chromosones)
N= Neurotoxin (may harm the nervous system - brain, nerves, spinal chord)
R = Reproductive effects (may affect male or female fertility)

For more information contact Carol Westinghouse, 802-626-8643, westies@ecoisp.com