Safe Home Products

Products used in homes will affect indoor air quality because many of the chemicals used in these products can volatilize or migrate to become part of house dust.

Chemicals called flame retardants (FR) are bonded to plastics and foam in consumer and industrial products to confer flammability resistance, but recent research has shown these chemicals may not improve fire safety at all.  Exposure occurs because as products age, the chemicals are released. They are found in older foam furniture ( before 2013), appliances, electronics, certain children’s products, some textiles, certain building materials (insulation), and bonded carpet padding. FR chemicals are NOT found in adult mattresses. Most conventional FR are considered Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs) and so even if they have been banned, they still remain in the environment.

Highly fluorinated chemicals are also POPs and give products water, stain, or oil resistance. Teflon, now banned, is a highly fluorinated chemical. In addition to food packaging and cookware, they are found in numerous products treated for stain resistance or water repellency, and cosmetics.

Cleaning Products

Chemicals used to clean homes can be hazardous because they contain Volatile organic compounds (VOCs), bleach, ammonia, formaldehyde, solvents, or certain carcinogens. As with cosmetics, home cleaning products can be put on the market without demonstrating safety for consumers.

What you can do:

• Follow recommendations regarding Indoor Air Quality 
• Purchase FR free furniture or furniture without foam cushions
• Replace FR treated cushion foam to untreated
• Avoid baby mattresses made before December 2013
• Choose textiles and carpeting without stain and water repellency chemicals
• Choose unbonded carpet padding
• Choose insulation products that are FR free
• Use or make green cleaning products using baking soda or vinegar

ACTIVITY/RECIPE: Home-made Cleaning Recipe

Making a liquid cleaner is as simple as mixing equal parts water and white vinegar.  You can get a reusable spray bottle for spot cleaning or in a bucket for mopping.

Remember regular wet mopping cuts down on dust that can contain hazardous particles from outdoor and indoor pollutants coming in to your house.

Make it smell better: Add drops of essential oils like lavender or lemon to enhance the smell and your mood!