Thousands of new chemicals that didn't exist hundreds of years ago are now commonly used in today's household products. Other chemicals that have long existed are being used in ways as never before. With all the daily contact that we have with chemicals, many people are concerned and have questions about how these chemicals may affect them.
While there are many products which are made from a single chemical, most products are mixtures. The amount of active ingredient(s) may be small with the rest being fillers, preservatives, coloring or perfumes.
Typical formulations commonly found in homes are:
For a chemical to affect you first it must be able to get on or in your body. Chemicals can enter the body through the lungs, the stomach, and even the skin.
Once the chemicals are on or in your body, different chemicals have different effects; they can irritate, intoxicate, or otherwise affect specific tissues and organs. What the specific effect for a product will be depends on the nature of the chemicals themselves, how they are combined, how much is encountered and even the sensitivity of the person.
It is important that you understand the hazards of the products you use.