The Hazards in Your Home (Part II)

SOMETHING SMELLS

NEGROS DAILY BULLETIN

By Lourdes Ledesma

To recap the first part of this article, we described the kinds of household hazardous wastes materials that we keep in our homes, which we shouldn’t just throw out with the garbage, but dispose of properly; and these include kitchen and bathroom cleaners, paints and solvents, pesticides and fertilizer, car care products, oils and bleach, used batteries, and home medical drugs and supplies. These dangerous chemicals, if just thrown or dumped into the garbage, in the backyard or open field, or poured down the toilet or sink will contaminate the soil, air and ground water, and eventually end up in our lakes and streams. They pose a threat to wildlife and humans alike, and if ingested by fish, they may enter the food chain, and eventually end up on our dinner plate.

To keep such dangerous materials safely in your home, follow these storage recommendations:

1. Store containers on high shelves or in locked cabinets away from children.

2. Keep the hazardous household products in their original container, tightly closed.

3. Protect the label so that they do not come off or get erased.

4. Keep containers in a dry place to prevent corrosion.

5. Store hazardous products in a well-ventilated area.

6. Store similar products together to reduce any danger from reactions if containers should leak or contents should spill.

Here are some disposal recommendations for hazardous household wastes:

1. If your city has a special place for disposal of hazardous household wastes,

bring them to the collection center, or return them to the manufacturer for correct disposal (e.g. batteries)

2. Follow the instructions for disposal in the label.

3. Don’t overbuy if your need is small. (e.g. paint- buy a quart, not a gallon) 

And use it up.

4. Donate leftover paint, cleaners, or other products to a charity organization 

that needs these household materials. 

5. Recycle empty containers. Rinse them before putting in the trash. Used paint thinners can be reused after allowing the solids to settle in the bottom of the container for a few days. Used motor oil can be reused. Old car batteries can be rebuilt as new.

6. Wear gloves and goggles to protect the hands and the eyes.

7. Do not dispose of chemical wastes in the kitchen or food preparation area.

For the homemaker, I recommend using these common and less-harmful substitutes:

1. Brass or Metal Polish - make a paste of equal parts vinegar, salt, and flour.

Rinse well afterwards to prevent corrosion. 

2. Drain Cleaner - Try a plunger first. Then pour = cup baking soda down, then = cup of vinegar. Wait a few minutes, then follow with 2 qts. boiling water.

Repeat if needed. If this fails, buy a drain snake.

3. Fertilizer - use compost and organic fertilizers.

4. Furniture Polish - Use olive or almond oil.

5. Oven Cleaner - As a preventive measure, line oven bottom and burners with aluminum foil. To clean, use baking soda, soap, and water with a metal scrubber and a lot of elbow grease.

6. Scouring powder (e.g. ajax cleanser) - use baking soda instead.

7. Silver Cleaner - Rub gently with baking soda and a damp sponge. 

Toothpaste also works. For small objects, place in a pot of boiling water with a small piece of aluminum foil. Add 1 tsp. baking soda and 1 tsp. salt. Boil 2-3 minutes, then cool and dry.

8. Window cleaner - use = cup vinegar and one quart warm water.

9. Air Freshener - find source of odor and eliminate it. Ventilate area. To scent air, use herbal bouquets, pure vanilla on a cotton ball, or simmer cinnamon and cloves.

It behooves us, parents, to be aware of the household chemicals we take for granted and use in our homes. It is our moral responsibility to care for our family and our environment, in its judicious use, storage and disposal. But it is likewise the city government’s obligation to provide for the proper disposal facility and the education for its use. Need I say more?*