http://www.care2.com/greenliving/10037.html
The Value of Reading a Label’s Signal Words
posted by Annie B. Bond Apr 17, 2007 12:00 am
Sally, NM asks:
What should I look for on labels, say for cleaning products, so that I can protect my family’s health?
Annie:
One of the best ways to protect yourself from toxic products is to read labels and pay particular attention to “signal words.” They are placed on products by order of the federal government, with the primary purpose of protecting you, but sometimes to tell you about the products’ potential impact on the environment. POISON/DANGER means something very toxic; only a few drops could kill you. WARNING means moderately toxic; as little as a teaspoonful can kill. CAUTION denotes a product that is less toxic; two tablespoons to a cup could kill you. There are a few others, such as STRONG SENSITIZER, which means the product can cause multiple allergies.
The Environmental Health Foundation, in its book Toxic Turnaround, compiled a list of the top four chemical groups we should reject and eliminate. These four are pesticides, toxic gases (such as chlorine and ammonia), heavy metals (such as lead and mercury), and volatile organic compounds (such as formaldehyde and solvents). The guideline are an excellent starting point. If we eliminate these chemicals, we will go a long way toward solving our environmental and health problems. I add plastics as a fifth category because of the increasing evidence that many plastic component are endocrine disrupters, synthetic chemicals that our bodies receive as if they were natural hormones.
Robyn
Melissa
Deepak
Eric
Dave
Dr. Brent
Isha
Susan
Delia
Michelle
Wendy
Megan
Hilary
Ann
Judi
Ronnie
Kelly
Lily
Terri
Betsy
Cait
Andrew
Jana
Annie B.
Veronica
15 comments
add your comment »vegan stuff for sale on care2 shop http://my.care2.com/veganstuff
send green star | flag as inappropriate
why is this inappropriate?
Instant grits work pretty good on ants. They take it down and munch for a few days then when they drink water they blow up. A nice alternative that works.
send green star | flag as inappropriate
why is this inappropriate?
Instant grits work pretty good on ants. They take it down and munch for a few days then when they drink water they blow up. A nice alternative that works.
send green star | flag as inappropriate
why is this inappropriate?
Carol a. , check out this website for some alternative fire ant control methods:
http://askville.amazon.com/safe-non-pesticide-fire-ants-garden-midwest/AnswerViewer.do?requestId=8435307
send green star | flag as inappropriate
why is this inappropriate?
Recent studies have revealed that most households/offices contain over 63 hazardous products that together contain hundreds of chemicals. These chemicals have the potential to greatly harm or even kill your children, your pets and you, should they accidentally not be used with the utmost caution. . . We Only Use: https://www.moreinfo247.com/9436002/Department.vstore?id=32 OMG IF I DON’T READ A LABEL I’LL GO CRAZY THINKING THERE ARE DEAD PIECES OF ANIMALS IN THE PRODUCT, OR THAT IT’S BEEN TESTED ON ANIMALS, OR THAT IT’S FROM A COMPANY THAT HAS PRODUCTS WITH ANIMALS IN THEM OR TESTED ON ANIMALS. Everyone must read the labels, it’s the only way to keep everyone alive… Not to mention toxic chemicals inside chemical toxic cleaners, DON’T BUY TOXIC CLEANERS THERE ARE ULTERNATIVES. Read the labels everyone, you’ll be amazed at what’s in stuff these awful days. Muawww.
send green star | flag as inappropriate
why is this inappropriate?
i recommend Sun & Earth cleaning products. All natural non toxic cleaning products. go to http://www.sunandearth.com
send green star | flag as inappropriate
why is this inappropriate?
I just bought Raid ant killer and Greenlight Fire Ant Killer yesterday. I live in an area that has alot of insects, fire ants are especially harmful to me as I am allergic to their very painful bites. Sometimes we are between the devil and the deep blue sea!
send green star | flag as inappropriate
why is this inappropriate?
Thank you Annie,
I always check the labels of everything I buy; my shopping takes me much longer now but it's well worth the time spent.
send green star | flag as inappropriate
why is this inappropriate?
Thank you, Annie! We really do need to pay attention to those labels and make wiser choices!
send green star | flag as inappropriate
why is this inappropriate?
Great info and attitude !
send green star | flag as inappropriate
why is this inappropriate?
Facebook account: