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This is a FAST ACCESS VERSION of a RUTGERS COOPERATIVE
EXTENSION FACT SHEET. Because of the mode of transmission it
is possible that certain graphics intended to be included with
the original FACT SHEET have been deleted. You can obtain the
complete FACT SHEET from any county office of RUTGERS
COOPERATIVE EXTENSION.
HAZARDOUS CHEMICALS IN YOUR HOME:
PROPER USE AND DISPOSAL
Theodore B. Shelton, Ph.D.
Specialist in Water Resources Management
Michael T. Olohan
Public Information Coordinator
Navesink River Watershed Project
WHAT IS A HAZARDOUS HOUSEHOLD PRODUCT?
The United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
considers a substance hazardous if it can catch fire, if it
can react or explode when mixed with other substances, if it
is corrosive, or if it is toxic. Each of these categories is
explained in its regulations. EPA has designated 400 specific
substances to be hazardous.
EPA estimates that the average household contains between
3 and 10 gallons of hazardous chemicals. Even improper
disposal of such small amounts of hazardous wastes can make an
underground water source unusable for decades if the
contamination is not prevented.
HOW SHOULD YOU HANDLE HOUSEHOLD CHEMICALS?
Generally, most household products should never be
disposed of by dumping into a sink, toilet, street drain, or
roadway. Your household plumbing system usually leads to a
municipal wastewater treatment plant or a septic tank
wastewater disposal system. However, neither is designed to
remove hazardous chemicals completely from wastewater. You
should also be aware that storm sewers (street drains) usually
flow directly into nearby streams or rivers without treatment,
leading to direct pollution of the waterways. Homeowners
should reduce the purchase of products containing hazardous
chemicals and consider nontoxic alternatives to prevent
potential disposal, poisoning, and water pollution problems.
WHAT DISPOSAL OPTIONS DO YOU HAVE?
The following list offers advice for using and disposing
of most hazardous products in your home and, where possible,
it proposes alternatives. The recommendations listed apply to
quantities less than 1 quart. Your local health department,
county health department, or State Department of Environmental
Protection (NJDEP) Hazardous Waste Advisement Program should
be consulted for larger quantities. In all cases, proper
disposal at a local hazardous waste collection center or
program or recycling, is preferred.
(T)=TRASH - This symbol identifies products that should never
be poured down a drain, but can be safely disposed of by
placing in the garbage. Make sure products are sealed or
capped to prevent leakage.
(H)=HOLD - This symbol identifies hazardous products that must
be held for disposal at a local collection center or program
or given to a hazardous waste disposal contractor. (Even
empty containers of these products should be handled in these
ways.) For more information, contact NJDEP Hazardous Waste
Advisement Program at 609-292-8341.
(R)=RECYCLE - This symbol identifies products that can or
should be recycled. Take these products to the recycling
program in your area. If no recycling program exists,
encourage local officials to start one. For more information,
contact the NJDEP Office of Recycling at 609-292-0331.
HAZARDOUS HOUSEHOLD PRODUCTS
(H) OVEN, DRAIN, AND TOILET CLEANERS - Most of these
products are corrosive and poisonous. Follow directions
carefully, exchange unused portions to neighbors and friends
to use instead of discarding. An alternative to oven cleaners
is baking soda and water. Instead of chemical drain cleaners,
you might use a metal snake to clear pipes. Instead of toilet
cleaners, use a toilet brush and baking soda or a mild
detergent.
(H) FURNITURE POLISH, FLOOR POLISH - Certain brands are
flammable. Offer unused quantities to friends and neighbors.
Do not pour down drains. Do not dispose of these substances
in normal trash.
(T) OLD MEDICINES - Many products are hazardous. Some
medicines can be disposed of with regular trash. Contact your
local health department or New Jersey Department of
Environmental Protection Hazardous Waste Advisement Program at
609-292-8341 for more information.
(T) DISINFECTANTS - These products are usually corrosive
and toxic. Do not dispose of down drains. Fully use these
products or recycle unused portions by exchanging them with
friends or neighbors.
(H) RUG AND UPHOLSTERY CLEANERS - These products are
irritants, and are corrosive and toxic. Do not dispose of
these substances with regular garbage. These products might
be exchanged with a neighbor.
(H) BLEACH CLEANERS - Products containing bleach are
strong oxidizers and are corrosive. Fully use these products
or exchange them with neighbors or friends. Do not dispose of
with regular trash.
GARAGE AND WORKSHOP CHEMICALS
(H)(R) USED MOTOR OIL, BATTERY ACID, DIESEL FUEL, FUEL
OIL, GASOLINE, KEROSENE, PAINT BRUSH CLEANER WITH SOLVENT,
PAINT THINNER, TURPENTINE - These products are toxic,
flammable, and corrosive. Do not dispose of these substances
in the sink, toilet, street drain, or roadway. In New Jersey,
service stations, retail outlets, and reinspection stations
that sell motor oil must accept up to 5 gallons of used motor
oil for recycling. Other products should be saved for
disposal at local collection centers.
(S) ANTIFREEZE, AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION FLUID, BRAKE
FLUID, CAR WAX WITH SOLVENT, OTHER OILS, GLUE, OIL-BASED
PAINT, PAINT STRIPPER, PRIMER, RUST REMOVER, VARNISH, WOOD
PRESERVATIVE - These products are toxic, corrosive, and/or
flammable. Do not dispose of these substances in the sink,
toilet, street drain, or roadway. If possible, exchange or
save for local collection centers.
(T)(R) METAL POLISH WITH SOLVENT, PAINT BRUSH CLEANER
WITH TSP (TRISODIUM PHOSPHATE), WATER-BASED GLUE, LATEX PAINT,
PAINT STRIPPER (lye base) - These products are toxic.
Exchange with neighbors. Recycle is possible or seal tightly
and discard with regular trash.
CHEMICALS USED OUTDOORS
(H) PESTICIDES, HERBICIDES, INSECTICIDES, FUNGICIDES -
Toxic. Pesticide is usually a catch-all term for all types of
lawn, garden, and agricultural chemicals. Use only according
to label or recommendations of an agricultural agent in the
Rutgers Cooperative Extension office in your county.
Triple-rinse containers and reuse rinse water as a
full-strength pesticide. Garden pesticide alternatives
include keeping your garden weed-free by handpulling,
importing predators, or using insecticidal soap. Consult the
Rutgers Cooperative Extension office in your county for
specific agricultural and garden pesticide recommendations.
(H) POOL CHEMICALS - In addition to being corrosive and
toxic, these products are strong oxidizers and pose a fire and
explosive hazard. NEVER DISPOSE of pool chemicals with
household trash. Store safely until they can be fully used or
exchanged with neighbors.
OTHER HAZARDOUS HOME PRODUCTS
(H)(R) HOBBY CHEMICALS (CRAFTS, PHOTOGRAPHY, LABS) -
These can be irritants, and are often corrosive, toxic, and
flammable. Do not dispose of these substances. These
chemicals should be safely stored in original containers.
NEVER pour down drains.
(H) ARTISTS' PAINTS, MEDIUMS, ADHESIVES - These can be
irritants, and are often toxic and flammable. Work area
should be well ventilated. Store these containers until they
can be safely disposed of.
For more information on hazardous household chemicals:
1) Household Hazardous Waste: Solving the Disposal Dilemma.
Gina Purin, Golden Health Empire Health Planning Center, 2100
21st Street, Sacramento, CA 95818.
2) Nontoxic and Natural: How to Avoid Dangerous Everyday
Products and Buy or Make Safe Ones. Debra Lynn Dadd.
Nontoxic Lifestyles Inc., Box 210019, San Francisco, CA 94121.