There are a number of products we buy everyday without having the knowledge that most of them are hazardous to our environment. What you buy, how you use it, and how you dispose of it directly effects the environment we live in.
Most home cleaning and renovation products are chemically made, which makes them harmful. These chemically prepared products have adverse effects. The most common of these household products available are flammable, corrosive, explosive, and toxic to living beings.
Some of the most common household products that cause the most damage are:
Batteries – Rechargeable or single use batteries, all cause damage to the environment if not disposed of properly. The batteries we use contain lead, mercury and nickel which are all harmful substances.
Medication – The prescribed pills and tablets that we use are also very harmful to the environment once they expire. A recent investigation showed that the water supplies of major cities have substance of mood stabilizers, antibiotics, sex hormones and anticonvulsants that cause harm. This medication when exposed into the environment may have dangerous effects. This is because most people dispose of unused medicine down the toilet.
Cleaning Products – The cleansers you use in your homes for floors, windows, rugs, shelves, and tiles are made with harmful chemicals which not only harm the environment but also affect our respiratory function. A study showed that home cleaning products pollute the air, increase smog formation, cause asthma and inhibit plant growth.
To avoid such damage you can use baking soda, lemon, vinegar, and salt for home cleaning purposes.
Paint and Thinners – Paint and paint thinners are highly flammable chemically produced liquids. They contain harmful chemicals like; toluene, turpentine, and ethyl acetate.
These chemicals cause many problems such as; irritation, depression, respiratory distress, anesthetic condition, and more.
These are declared to be the most hazardous household waste by the law in most countries. Paint cans should not be disposed of down the drain or left exposed in the air. They can evaporate in the air and cause damage to the environment, if they are added into the water stream they will cause damage to wildlife and humans.
Pesticides – 90% of US homes use pesticides, which mean that these pesticides make up a lot of waste. Disposing of these pesticides in the garbage or water streams is prohibited in many areas. It is because of the effect they have on our environment. These pesticides should be used with caution because if they are inhaled, they might cause respiratory distress.
Using and disposing of hazardous household items in an eco-friendly way is very important. There are many ways in which these products can be recycled without harming the environment. Make sure that you don’t dump these products in the sewer or landfill.
Source: www.nyp.org
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