YOU would be surprised how many toxic products you can find in your kitchen cupboard, hidden in everything from oven and drain cleaners to personal care products.
They are a hazard, not only to you and your family when they are used or misused, but to the environment when they are first manufactured and finally disposed of.
Millions of dollars are spent each year on advertising by the manufacturers to convince us that household chemicals are necessary and will make our lives more convenient, when in fact they are harmful.
Even ordinary household cleaners, which are not usually poisonous to humans, are harmful to the environment - most households use far more of these than they need.
Never think you don't make a difference. Each small amount of detergent or bleach poured down the drain all adds up. Multiply a small amount of chemicals in your sewage by six million people and you find that household detergents are a significant source of toxic substances in sewage.
In addition to sewage, a study in the US found that nickel-cadmium batteries, the kind used in small appliances and electronic devices, were the largest source of cadmium (a heavy metal that may cause lung damage) in the waste stream. Don't think only industry causes pollution! There are many cheap and convenient natural alternatives that you can use instead if you are in the know - so take a careful look at what poisons are lurking in your cupboards and see if you can find a better substitute.
First read the labels to see what chemicals are contained in the product - it should have a warning label if the product is hazardous.
