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"As a Florida Child Injuries Attorney, it is important to me and my firm that everyone is aware of the chemical hazards in the home which can cause injury not only to children, but also to the entire family. Many of these accidents can be prevented.  We are providing the following information from not only environmental action groups but also WebMD in an effort to provide helpful information to avoid tragedies," says Randall Spivey of Spivey Law Firm, Personal Injury Attorneys, P.A.

Most people automatically associate chemicals with scientists in laboratories, but chemicals are also found in many of the products we use at work and at home. While they have a variety of beneficial uses, chemicals can also be extremely harmful if they are misused. Some of these chemicals found in the home include:

• Mold and Mildew Cleaners
• Bleach
• Air Fresheners
• Oven Cleaners
• Pesticides

Environmental action groups such as the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC) and Global Healing Center (GHC) say:

Mold and mildew cleaners: These cleaners contain sodium hypochlorite which can be corrosive, irritate or burn skin and eyes, and in some cases cause fluid in the lungs which can lead to coma or death.

What you can do: Use in well ventilated areas according to directions on the label.

Bleach: Bleach is a strong corrosive. It will irritate or burn the skin, eyes and respiratory tract. It may cause pulmonary edema or vomiting and coma if ingested. Bleach should never be mixed  with ammonia as it may cause fumes that are deadly.

What you can do: Use bleach-free cleaning products.

Air fresheners: Many air fresheners interfere with the ability to smell by coating the nasal passages with an oil film, or by releasing a nerve deadening agent. Known toxic chemicals found in an air freshener are: Formaldehyde which is highly toxic and a known carcinogen and phenol. When phenol touches your skin it can cause it to swell, burn, peel, and break out in hives. It can also cause cold sweats, convulsions, circulatory collapse, coma and even death.

What you can do: Read the label and avoid air fresheners that contain “formaldehyde” or “phenol” in the ingredients.

Oven cleaners: Oven cleaners contain very strong, corrosive chemicals known as sodium hydroxide. If oven cleaning products come into contact with skin, eyes and breathing passages, they can cause burns. If swallowed, it can cause severe tissue damage. Aerosol sprays transform these caustic oven cleaners into a fine mist that may penetrate into and damage lung tissue when breathed in.

What you can do: Look for non-chemical or natural oven cleaners containing baking soda.

Pesticides: Pesticides used to control weeds and insects in and around our homes can be significant health hazards. Exposure to certain pesticides is associated with health problems ranging from skin rashes to nervous system disorders and cancer. Children are at the greatest risk of harm because of their hand-to-mouth habits and still-developing nervous systems. Also, the places they play are often the type of area that is treated with pesticides. In recent years, a number of the most dangerous pesticides have been pulled off the market.

What you can do: Keep your home and its surroundings clean and well-maintained. Only use pesticides when necessary. Read labels carefully before purchasing and before each use in the home.  Follow all the instructions on the label.

In addition to these, some products used in the home are made with phthalates.

Phthalates:  Phthalates is a class of chemicals widely employed to make plastics more malleable and help lotions penetrate skin. Phthalates are used in an enormous range of products, including air fresheners, plastic toys, flooring tiles, medical devices, cosmetic and personal-care products (including fragrances and nail polish), vinyl, inks and adhesives. Phthalates are also used as food additives and as inert ingredients in pesticides. Because phthalates are not chemically bound to products, they easily migrate or off-gas, especially with heat. People can be exposed to phthalates by inhaling or ingesting contaminated dust particles, eating contaminated food, or applying products which contain phthalates to the skin. A number of phthalates are known to cause birth defects or reproductive harm in test animals.

What you can do: Buy phthalate-free cosmetics, personal care products, cleaning products, detergents Avoid buying plastics treated with phthalate .Look out for "PVC," "V" or the"3" recycling code on the item or its packaging.

WebMD in "How to Purge Chemicals From Your Home" by Margie Kelly suggests:

1.  Make or buy green cleaners.

2.  Cleaning is not disinfecting.

3.  Eat healthy and shop smart.

4.  Skip cans.

5.  Stay beautiful without chemicals.

6.  Just say no to PVC.

7.  Ban pesticides from your home and yard.

8.  Commit to buying and using less stuff.

What to do if there is a household chemical emergency?

Ready.gov which was launched in February 2003 is a national public service advertising (PSA) campaign designed to educate and empower Americans to prepare for and respond to emergencies. They recommend that during a household chemical emergency that you:

Get out of the residence immediately if there is a danger of fire or explosion. Do not waste time collecting items or calling the fire department when you are in danger. Call the fire department from outside (a cellular phone or a neighbor’s phone) once you are safely away from danger.

• Stay upwind and away from the residence to avoid breathing toxic fumes.
• Recognize and respond to symptoms of toxic poisoning including:
  • Difficulty breathing
  • Irritation of the eyes, skin, throat, or respiratory tract
  • Changes in skin color
  • Headache or blurred vision
  • Dizziness
  • Clumsiness or lack of coordination
  • Cramps or diarrhea
• If someone is experiencing toxic poisoning symptoms or has been exposed to a household chemical, call the national poison control center at 1.800.222.1222 and find any containers of the substance that are readily available in order to provide requested information.
• Follow the emergency operator or dispatcher’s first aid instructions carefully. The first aid advice found on containers may be out of date or inappropriate. Do not give anything by mouth unless advised to do so by a medical professional.

Florida Child Injuries Attorney, Randall L. Spivey is a Board Certified Trial Attorney – the highest recognition for competence bestowed by the Florida Bar and a distinction earned by just one (1%) percent of Florida attorneys.  He has handled over 2,000 personal injury and wrongful death cases throughout Florida.  For a free and confidential consultation to discuss your legal rights, contact the Spivey Law Firm, Personal Injury Attorneys, P.A., in Lee County at 239.337.7483 or toll free at 1.888.477.4839,or by email to Randall@SpiveyLaw.com.  Visit SpiveyLaw.com for more information.  You can contact Spivey Law Firm, Personal Injury Attorneys, P.A.in Charlotte County at 941.764.7748 and in Collier County 239.793.7748.