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HAZARDS IN OUR HOMES

HAZARDS IN OUR HOMES. What makes a product/material hazardous?. Flammable: can easily be set on fire or ignited Explosive/reactive: can detonate or explode through exposure to heat, sudden shock or pressure Corrosive/caustic: can burn and destroy living tissue

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HAZARDS IN OUR HOMES

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  1. HAZARDS IN OUR HOMES

  2. What makes a product/material hazardous? • Flammable: can easily be set on fire or ignited • Explosive/reactive: can detonate or explode through exposure to heat, sudden shock or pressure • Corrosive/caustic: can burn and destroy living tissue • Toxic/poisonous : capable of causing injury or death • Radioactive: can damage or destroy cells and chromosomal material

  3. Types of hazardous products in our houses: • Batteries • Pesticides • Home medical waste • Paints and solvents • Automotive products • Mercury and other heavy materials: thermometers, thermostats, fluorescent lamps, some batteries • Miscellaneous: glue, aerosols, inks, photographic supplies • Polishes and waxes • Household cleaners

  4. Batteries Alkaline (AA, AAA, C, D, and 9 volt) can be disposed of in the trash, but nickel-cadmium rechargeable batteries, button batteries, Lithium batteries (AA, C, 9 volt and button batteries) DO NOT DISPOSE OF IN TRASH Interstate Batteries takes most batteries for recycling Pesticides Use up or give to a friend/neighbor, rinse out the container three times (DO NOT POUR DOWN THE SINK but use according to label instructions) Home medical waste Prescription drugs = wrap well and place in the trash, DO NOT FLUSH DOWN THE TOILET Any other soiled bandages , gloves, etc. should be placed in a sealed bag before being placed in the trash

  5. Paints and Solvents Latex or water-based paint is preferable to oil-based paints (flammable) -Latex paint is recyclable but there needs to be a local collection event -If latex paint freezes, it is no longer reusable Automotive products Motor oil is picked up curbside in a clean one gallon sealed container SEPARATE FROM OTHER RECYCLABLES (Don’t put in the trash) Antifreeze and Gasoline= DO NOT DISPOSE OF IN THE TRASH OR DOWN THE DRAIN, use it up or wait until a Hazardous Waste Collection Event Mercury containing materials DO NOT DISPOSE OF IN THE TRASH = Highly toxic, wait until Hazardous Waste Collection Event Arts and crafts supplies Read the label, is it toxic? Dried paints and non-toxic aerosol products can be disposed of in the trash.

  6. Chemicals in Typical Household Cleaners Disinfectants: ammonia, detergents, cresol, lye, phenol, pine oil Furniture polish: ammonia, naphtha, nitrobenzene, petroleum distillates, and phenol Glass cleaner: ammonia, isopropanol

  7. When in doubt… 1) Put some muscle in it! Physical alternatives are ALWAYS better than chemical alternatives Vacuuming, scrubbing, pulling weeds by hand instead of herbicide. 2) Use fabric cloths or newspaper instead of paper towels

  8. A Green, Mean Cleaner Mix ½ cup vinegar + ¼ cup baking soda + 2 gallons of water = all purpose cleaner Pour into an old spray bottle *Can be made more concentrated by adding less water

  9. Natural ingredients can make your life easier Baking soda Soap Lemon Borax White Vinegar Washing Soda Cornstarch Citrus Solvent Vegetable oil Salt

  10. Save Money! Average cost of store-bought cleaners Bathroom/wood/all purpose cleaners (32 oz): $5-7 Windex (32 oz): $5-7 Oven cleaner (32 oz): $10-14 Say you buy 5 different types of cleaners 4 times a year averaging $6 = $120/year *You can buy natural cleaners for about these prices.

  11. Homemade Cleaners • Baking soda = $16 for a 13.5 POUND bag • Soap =$32 Dr. Bronners for 1 GALLON • Lemon = $2 for 32 oz. • White Vinegar = $4 for 0.5 GALLON • Vegetable oil = $3 for 48 oz. • Salt = $8 for 50 POUNDS This supply could last you 10 years ((or more) for $65. Total savings = $835.

  12. ELECTRONICS • What electronics are now banned from landfills in Oregon? • What is “e-waste”? • Why is it hazardous and a problem? http://www.cbsnews.com/video/watch/?id=5274959n&tag=related;photovideo

  13. What’s in ‘em? Lead PVC Retardants Chromium Mercury Beryllium Cadmium

  14. Consumer Reports • E-waste is the fastest growing category of solid waste • About 3 in 10 consumers replaced their computer last year • 2 in 10 consumers replaced their TV • 4 in 10 consumers replaced their cell phones Most of their reason for replacement was a desire for newer, better, faster technology

  15. Not enough are recycled… 2007 Statistics from EPA’s Electronic Waste Report (July 2008)

  16. Waste Audit Discussion • Did anyone generate more than 6 pounds? Less than 6 pounds, less than 5 pounds, 4 pounds, 3 pounds, 2 pounds, 1 pound? • Did anything surprise you about your individual or family’s waste generation? • Did you notice a particular material that comprised most of your waste? • What is one thing you can change about your home’s waste generation?

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