Household Chemicals | Ventilate your Home | Carbon Monoxide | Radon
Humidity & Mould | Lead | Air Cleaners
Below is a partial reprint from Health Canada’s website, for the full report please go to: http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca/ewh-semt/hazards-risques/index-eng.php.
Use Household Chemicals Safely
You probably use many chemical products in and around your home. These products include cleaning liquids and powders, polishers, drain cleaners, paint thinners and windshield washer fluids. Household chemicals should be used, stored and disposed of as recommended.
A) Read the label before you buy, and follow the instructions every time you use a household chemical product. By law, the label must include instructions on how to use and store the product safely. It must also show warnings of potential hazards.
Look for these symbols on household chemical product. If you don't already know what these symbols mean, learn them. If you follow the instructions, you could prevent an injury. You could even save a life.
Contents and Containers
The frame around the symbol is important because it tells you what is dangerous -- the contents or the container.
This triangle frame around a symbol means that the container itself is dangerous.
This eight-sided frame around a symbol means that the product inside the container is dangerous.
Recognize these warning symbols
Poison -- the contents of containers with this symbol are poisonous if swallowed, touched or inhaled.
Corrosive -- the contents of containers with this symbol will burn skin or eyes and can also burn the stomach if swallowed.
Explosive -- containers with this symbol can explode if heated or punctured.
Flammable -- the contents of containers with this symbol catch fire easily if near heat, flames or sparks.
Each warning symbol also has one of these words under it.
CAUTION -- means a temporary injury may occur from improper use of the product. Death may occur after extreme exposure.
DANGER -- means that the product may cause temporary or permanent injury, or death.
EXTREMEDANGER -- means that being exposed to even a very low quantity of the product may cause death, or temporary or permanent injury. Be very, very careful.
B) Store all chemical products in their original containers.
Try not to store products that may release harmful fumes inside your home. These items include paints, solvents, gasoline, fuels or varnishes. Store them in a separate building, if you can, or in an area that is well vented to the outside. Buy only the quantity you need for the job, and discard any leftovers as directed by your municipality or township.
C) Dispose of leftover products safely. Check municipal guidelines for instructions.
Never
- burn household chemical containers
- pour the contents down the drain
- re-use empty containers for any purposes
Choosing to Use a Pesticide?
Follow the above general guidelines for the safe use, storage and disposal of household chemical products. Buy only as much pesticide as you need and ensure that it is a Health Canada registered product by locating the PCP (Pest Control Product) number on the label.
- Lock all household chemical products out of the sight and reach of children. Household chemical containers, even if sealed or empty, can be dangerous. Never let children play with them.
- Teach children what the warning symbols on the label of a product mean so they can stay safe.
- If you suspect that your child has swallowed a household chemical, call a Poison Control Centre immediately and get medical attention.
- You can find phone numbers of the Poison Control Centre nearest you at the front of your local telephone directory or by searching Poison Control Centre + (your province or territory) on the Internet -- keep the number by your phone.
Ventilate Your Home
- Fresh air. Make sure you have sufficient fresh air in your home. The consumer publications on ventilation from Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation are a good source of advice.
- Use a fan. An exhaust fan that vents to the outside should be installed above your stove, and it should be turned on, especially when frying.
- Ventilate. Open windows when painting, varnishing or installing new carpets.
- Go low. Choose low-emission paints, varnishes, glues, wood furniture and building products. Look for an independent certification label, like the EcoLogo program that sets standards for sustainable products, to help you select low-emission products.
Wash Your Hands Often
Washing your hands often helps to prevent infection and reduce exposure to harmful substances. Washing hands is especially important before every meal.
To clean your hands thoroughly, scrub with soap and warm water for at least 20 seconds.
When it's not possible to wash with soap and water, an alcohol-based sanitizer is a good choice.
Take Off Your Shoes When You Come Inside
The soil outside your home can contain substances you don't want inside. Taking off your shoes at the door is one way to help keep harmful substances out.
Avoid Second-hand Smoke
Make your home and car smoke-free by smoking outside, or not smoking at all.
Second-hand smoke spreads from one room to another even if the door of the smoking area is closed. In addition, potentially harmful chemicals can cling to rugs, curtains, clothes, food, furniture and other materials and can remain in a room or car long after someone has smoked.
Second-hand smoke is especially dangerous to children because their lungs are still growing and developing. Second-hand smoke can even pass through a pregnant woman's placenta.
Infants and children exposed to second-hand smoke are more likely to suffer from asthma and other respiratory problems such as coughs, pneumonia, bronchitis and croup, as well as ear infections. Babies who breathe in second-hand smoke have a higher risk of dying from sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) or crib death.
What Are the Health Effects?
Second-hand smoke hurts everyone. Second-hand smoke contains the same 4,000+ chemicals that are inhaled by a smoker. At least 50 of the chemicals found in second-hand smoke are known to cause cancer. These chemicals contribute directly to diseases like asthma, heart disease and emphysema -- for smokers and non-smokers alike.
How Do I know if I Have a Problem?
If anyone is smoking in your car or home, you and your family are being exposed to second-hand smoke.
What Can I Do?
Protect your family from the health effects of second-hand smoke by making your home and car 100% smoke-free.
- No level of ventilation will eliminate the harmful effects of second-hand smoke. Opening a car or room window may cause the smoke to be blown directly back inside.
- Air fresheners only mask the smell of the smoke and do not reduce the harm in any way. Even air filters (air purifiers) cannot remove all of the cancer-causing agents.
Health Canada advises against using air purifiers that intentionally release ozone to clean the air. Ozone is a gas that can irritate your eyes, nose, throat and lungs and is itself a major air pollutant.
Keep Carbon Monoxide Out of Your Home
Carbon monoxide (CO) is a harmful gas that has no colour, smell or taste.
CO forms whenever you burn fuel such as propane, natural gas, gasoline, oil, coal and wood. It is also contained in second-hand smoke. If furnaces, fireplaces, gas stoves or water heaters are improperly installed, or if they malfunction, they can release CO into your home.
What Are the Health Effects?
CO can cause health problems before people even notice that it is present.
When you breathe in CO, it reduces your body's ability to carry oxygen in the blood.
Even at low levels of exposure, CO can cause headaches and make you feel tired. The health effects at higher levels can be much more serious and can even lead to death.
How do I know if I Have a Problem?
CO can be detected only with a carbon monoxide detector.
What Can I Do?
Maintenance is the key!
- There is no substitute for good maintenance of fuel-burning appliances because CO detectors may not detect low levels of CO that can, over time, have effects on your health.
- Make sure appliances such as furnaces, fireplaces, gas stoves and water heaters are well maintained and inspected by a professional at least once a year.
Get a CO detector!
- Put at least one carbon monoxide (CO) detector in your home. A smoke alarm helps protect against fires, but will not warn you of potentially harmful carbon monoxide in your home. It is important that you have a carbon monoxide detector in your home as well as a smoke alarm.
- Install a Canadian Standards Association (CSA) certified CO detector with an audible alarm to warn you of high CO concentrations in your home. The most important place to install a detector is in hallways, outside of sleeping areas. Make sure to follow the manufacturer's suggestions on how to install and use the detector, and when it needs to be replaced. You can use a marker to remind yourself when it was installed and when it should be replaced.
Leave it outside!
- Never use a barbecue indoors.
- Don't use kerosene or oil space heaters or lamps in enclosed areas unless they're specifically designed for indoor use.
No idling indoors!
- Don't let vehicles idle in the garage, even when the garage door is open.
- Never run gas-powered lawnmowers, trimmers, snow blowers or other machines in the garage.
- Keep the door between your house and the garage closed.
Test Your Home for Radon
Radon is a gas that is produced naturally by the breakdown of uranium in the ground and can get into your home undetected. You can't see it, smell it, or taste it. In confined spaces like a house, radon can build up to high levels and over time become a health risk.
Almost every home in Canada has some radon, but concentrations vary from one house to another, even if they are next door to each other. The amount of radon in your home will depend on factors like the amount of uranium in the ground, the pathways available into your home (such as cracks in the foundation, crawl spaces and sump holes) as well as how your home is ventilated.
What Are The Health Effects?
Radon exposure increases your risk of developing lung cancer. It is the second leading cause of lung cancer after smoking.
The risk of cancer depends on the level of radon in your house, how long you are exposed and whether you smoke. Exposure to radon and tobacco use together can significantly increase your risk of lung cancer.
How Do I Know if I Have a Problem?
The ONLY way to know if you have a radon problem is to test your home. It is simple and inexpensive. Health Canada recommends using a long-term test device for a minimum of three months. The best time to test is between September and April when your windows are mostly closed.
Radon test devices are available from some home improvement retailers or can be ordered by phone or over the Internet. Radon testing can also be performed by a trained service provider.
What Can I Do?
If the radon level in your home is above the Canadian guideline of 200 becquerels/metre3, you need to fix it. The higher the radon level in your home, the sooner it needs to be fixed.
If your home tests above the guideline, here are some ways to reduce the level of radon:
- Increase the ventilation to allow an exchange of air.
- Seal all cracks and openings in foundation walls and floors, and around pipes and drains.
- Renovate existing basement floors, particularly earth floors.
Keep Humidity Levels in Your Home Down to Reduce the Risk of Mould
Mould is a type of fungus that comes in a variety of colours and can grow in damp areas inside your home. Mould grows where there is too much humidity from water leaks, cooking, showering, flooding, etc. It can grow on wood, paper, fabrics, drywall, insulation, inside walls or above ceiling tiles. When mould finds a damp place to grow, it can contribute to poor indoor air quality.
What Are the Health Effects?
People living in homes with mould and damp conditions are more likely to experience:
- Eye, nose and throat irritation
- Coughing and mucous build-up
- Wheezing and shortness of breath
- Worsening of asthma symptoms
- Other allergic reactions
How do I Know if I Have a Problem?
Not all mould is obvious to detect, so it is important to check for the presence of mould anywhere that is damp, especially where water damage has occurred.
Inspect your home for visible signs of mould or areas with excessive moisture. Look for stains or discolouration on floors, walls, window panes, fabrics and carpets or a musty "earthy" odour. If necessary, contact an expert for help.
What Can I Do?
Prevent mould from growing by making sure you:
- Check for wet spots in your house, such as damp basements, leaking sinks, cold closets on exterior walls, etc.
- Repair any water leaks as soon as you notice them; clean up immediately after any flood.
- Use the exhaust fans when cooking or showering and check that your clothes dryer and range hood vent to the outdoors.
- Seal your tubs and sinks tightly.
- Throw out basement clutter.
- Measure humidity and keep it low, about 50% in summer and 30% in colder weather. If necessary, use a dehumidifier.
If you discover mould:
- If the contaminated surface is small: clean the mould by yourself, by using water and dish detergent. There's no need to use bleach.
- If the affected area is large: take precautions to protect your health. In such a case, consider hiring a professional to clean it up.
- Fix the underlying cause, whether due to water damage or excessive humidity.
If you suspect a mould problem that you cannot solve on your own, Health Canada recommends that you contact a trained Indoor Air Quality Investigator for advice on building-related aspects of air quality. These investigators can do a visual inspection to identify areas of concern and make recommendations for improving the situation.
If you rent your home or workspace, speak to your landlord about any mould problems. Landlord and tenants rights and obligations fall under provincial and territorial jurisdiction. Information on landlord/tenant issues, rights and responsibilities is available from your provincial/territorial government.
What are the Health Effects of Lead?
Lead can cause many harmful health effects, especially to the nervous system, blood system and kidneys.
Exposure to even low levels of lead can cause learning disabilities and other harmful effects on children's development. Pregnant women must also be careful, as lead can pass through the placenta.
One way to reduce children's exposure to lead is to reduce dust in your home. Dirt and household dust are among the main sources of lead for children under six years of age. Dusting, vacuuming and wet-mopping will all help to keep down levels of dust.
Lead in Paint
If your home was built before 1960, lead-based paint was probably used both inside and outside. For homes built between 1960 and 1990, small amounts of lead may be in some of the paint used.
How Do I Know if I Have a Problem?
If you think the paint in your home may contain lead, you can have it tested.
What Can I Do?
- If the lead-based paint is in good condition and is not on a surface that a child might chew, the risk of exposure is minimal. It's best to leave it alone or paint over it.
- If the lead-based paint is cracking, chipping, flaking or peeling or if it is on a surface that a child might chew, here is how you can remove the paint:
- Do not use sanders, heat guns or blowlamps to remove paint in older homes. This can create dust and fumes that contain lead.
- Use a chemical paint stripper, preferably one with a paste that can be applied with a brush.
- Chemical strippers contain potentially harmful substances themselves, so use them carefully. Keep children and pregnant women away from the work area and always wear goggles, gloves and a good-quality breathing mask.
- Consult Health Canada's booklet Lead in Your Home (PDF Version - 648 K) before starting any renovation project in an older home.
Lead in Plumbing
Plumbing systems in homes built before 1975 may have lead pipes (also called lead service lines) or have solder or other plumbing parts that contain lead. This lead can leach into water sitting in pipes.
How Do I Know if I Have a Problem?
You can check with your municipality or water utility to see if there are lead service lines in your area. A plumber can identify whether your service line (supply pipe) is made of lead. You can also look at the pipe entering your home, and if it is soft or easily dented when scraped with a knife, or if it is greyish-black, it is likely made of lead or contains lead.
If there are lead service lines or other lead-based materials in your plumbing system, you can look into having your tap water tested for lead content. Some municipalities have an established sampling program, while others may sample and test it if you ask them. In some cases, you may have to arrange for your own sampling and analysis by an accredited laboratory.
What Can I Do?
- Always let tap water run until it is cold before using it for drinking, cooking and especially for making baby formula. This is particularly important when water has been sitting in the pipes for long periods of time, such as first thing in the morning.
- Don't use water from the hot water tap for cooking or drinking.
- Contact your local Public Health Department if you're concerned about elevated lead levels in your home's drinking water.
Air Cleaners
The third key strategy for enhancing indoor air quality is to actually "clean the air", but this should be done along with source control and good ventilation. Some air cleaners are effective at removing particles from the air; however, most air cleaners are not very good at removing gases. For this reason, source control and ventilation are much better options for improving indoor air quality.
Main types of air cleaners available on the market are:
Mechanical filters can be installed on your furnace or as part of the ventilation system. There are also stand-alone devices designed to capture particles from the air in room-sized areas. Filters must be replaced according to the manufacturer's instructions in order to be effective.
Electronic air cleaners use an electrical field to trap particles. They can be a part of the ventilation system or a stand-alone device, and some even produce ozone as a by-product.
Ion generators use static charges to trap particles and are only available as portable units. Some ion generators also produce ozone as a by-product.
Hybrid models are air cleaners that incorporate two or more of the air cleaner types mentioned above into a single product and are becoming more and more common.
WARNING: Air cleaners designed to intentionally generate ozone (ozone generators) may be harmful to your health. Health Canada does not recommend the use of ozone generators in occupied spaces. Click here for more information on air cleaners and ozone.
Did you know?
Eliminating pollution sources is the best strategy to improve indoor air quality.