Toxic products

Toxic products: what are they?

A product is considered toxic if it releases harmful gases (volatile organic compounds, or VOCs) into the air. Most household cleaning and finishing products, which are petrochemical in origin, give off these gases.

The list of these compounds includes butane, ethanol, acetone, formaldehyde, and glycol ethers, plus benzene, toluene and xylenes. They are found mainly in:

• air fresheners;

• furniture and floor polish;

• laundry and dishwashing detergent and fabric softeners; 

• fertilizers and pesticides;

• caulk and adhesives;

• paints, stains, varnish, solvents, and paint strippers;

• household cleansers and drain unclogging products; and

• mechanical maintenance products.

If you can’t find toxicity information for a product, call the phone number on the label. The product’s material safety data sheet can also be obtained from the retailer or on the manufacturer’s website. This mandatory document describes the safety procedures and dangers related to use of any chemical-based product sold in Canada. 

Toxic products: where are they found?

Some of our everyday chores, like cleaning the bathroom or polishing a piece of furniture, release a certain amount of toxic materials into the air. This means there will be traces of toxic products: 

• Near surfaces that you clean regularly: floors, countertops, furniture, the kitchen sink, toilet bowls, windows, mirrors, etc.;

• Where hygiene and air-freshening products are used (bathrooms);

• In areas used for arts and crafts activities, plant care or mechanical maintenance (e.g., kitchen, garage, workshop, studio);

• In storage areas: kitchen and bathroom cupboards, laundry room, closets, basement, etc.

How can toxic products affect my health?

Exposure to harmful household products occurs by skin contact, ingestion or inhalation. Health impacts and symptoms vary depending on length of exposure:

• Short-term exposure to COVs occurs when a product is applied, and may result in nausea, dizziness, allergic reactions, and irritation of the eyes, skin, and respiratory tract.

• Long-term exposure to several products, meanwhile, can lead to environmental hypersensitivity and even cancer. Certain VOCs are especially dangerous:

• Benzene can cause medullary aplasia (progressive bone marrow depletion), leukemia, and central nervous system depression;

• Toluene is linked to headaches, nausea, and dizziness, but also central nervous system depression;

• Xylenes cause nausea, tiredness, dizziness and, in extreme cases, kidney and liver disorders.

Beware other chemical products 

• Be careful with medications, pesticides, dry-cell batteries, and bulbs containing mercury, such as compact fluorescents. End-of-life electronic devices (e.g., TV sets, radios, computers, printers) contain substances of concern. If not disposed of properly, they can have adverse environmental, health and safety effects.

• Chlorine bleach and ammonia-based household cleansers (e.g., window cleaner) irritate the eyes and respiratory tract. Bleach can also burn mucous membranes.

What should I do about toxic products?

The real question is, can we reduce the number of toxic products in our homes and, in turn, reduce the risk to our health? The answer is yes.

1. Precautions to take when applying paint, varnish and similar products 

• Read the instructions and specific safety messages on the label;

• Wear gloves, safety glasses and/or a mask as required;

• Never mix any chemicals, unless manufacturer instructions say so;

• Work in a well-ventilated area;

• Likewise, open a window or use a fan to disperse fumes;

• Keep children away from the work area for as long as the smell of the product persists.

2. Storing toxic products

• Tightly seal all containers so that pollutants aren’t released into the air;

• Keep products in their original containers; if you need to switch containers (e.g., because of a hole or tear), also transfer the original label to the new container; 

• Keep toxic products, especially those that are poisonous if swallowed, well out of the reach of children and pets; 

• Store them well away from the main living areas of the house, in a well-ventilated spot, away from heat sources. Some products are flammable, while others could contaminate room air (e.g., if spilled accidentally).

3. Making greener choices

The best way to avoid issues with toxic products is to not use any! This isn’t always easy, but when it comes to cleaning products, for example, more natural and/or low-toxicity alternatives do exist on the market.

Look for products with official eco-labels, like these:

Otherwise, “home-brew” cleansers are always a wise choice. White vinegar, lemon juice, baking soda (sodium bicarbonate), borax and soda ash (sodium carbonate) can be very effective. Recipes for homemade cleansers are easily found in magazines and online.

How do I properly dispose of toxic products?

Drop them off on designated hazardous household waste collection days.

Outside of collection periods, take them to your local Ecocentre or to a hardware retailer that is part of a collection program. 

Note that some repair shops will take automotive maintenance products for proper disposal. Medications should be returned to your pharmacist. For other items, contact organizations specialized in recovery and recycling:

• Recyc-Québec

• RecycFluo (fluorescent lighting containing mercury)

• Serpuariens électroniques (electronics disposal)

Where can I learn more about toxic products?

Government of Canada: Exposure and health effects of chemicals