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7 Misconceptions about Plastic and Plastic Recycling
Do you think that all plastic is recyclable? Think again. Several common misconceptions about plastic's recyclability are de-bunked.

A Doctor's Viewpoint: Pesticides
Household pesticide use exposes children to toxic chemicals. Find out what the risks are and what you can do about them.

Alternatives to Antibacterials and Disinfectants: Safer Ways to Keep Germs at Bay
Tips on killing germs on hands and surfaces without resorting to harsh chemicals.

Antibacterial Ingredient Shown to Cause Health, Environmental Effects, According to Beyond Pesticides Review
New review of triclosan, a popular antibacterial ingredient in cleaners, toothpastes, deodorants and other personal care products, shows that they can cause environmental and health effects.

Antibacterial Soap Doesn't Stop Infection Any Better Than Plain Soap
March 12, 2004, Children's Health Environmental Coalition -- Antibacterial soaps are no better than plain soap in preventing infectious disease, according to a recent study from Columbia University. It's probably because antibacterial products don't stop viruses.

Antibacterials and Disinfectants: Are They Necessary?
New antibacterial products are hitting the shelves everyday, but the chemicals in them may increase antibiotic resistance and may even be harmful.

California EPA to Pass Rule on Chemical Used in Plastics Used for Toys and Hospital Products: Concern About Birth Defects
October 21, 2003, San Francisco Chronicle -- California will become the first state in the U.S. to rule that DEHP, a type of phthalates used to soften the plastic, can cause birth defects, The Chronicle has learned. Phthalates are used in hospital IV bags, medical tubing, teethers, toys, flooring, wiring, cosmetics, and many other products.

Canadian Agency Bans Some Common Insect Repellent Products, While Duke Scientist Shows Neurological Effects
May 24, 2002--The most popular insect repellents on the market contain DEET. However, the Canadian government has just banned some formulations due to the potential for overexposure that could result in damage to health. Recent studies on lab animals show that DEET may affect the brain, which could have serious consequences for children.

CHEC's Spanish Materials
List of CHEC materials in Spanish

Chemical in Personal Care Products Found in Tumors of Breast Cancer Patients
January 12, 2004, The London Independent -- Scientists have detected the preservative chemical parabens - used in some underarm products, cosmetics and foods - in samples of breast cancer tumours. This small study, coupled with earlier suggestive evidence that parabens are estrogenic, indicates that further study is necessary.

Children Exposed to Secondhand Smoke Can Have Life-Long Breathing Problems
September 2005, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences -- The largest study of its kind shows that early life exposure to second-hand smoke can produce life-long respiratory problems, including chronic cough.

Children's Blood-Lead Levels Declining, but Studies Show Exposure Causes Long-Term Risks
January 12, 2003--New national statistics show that lead levels in children are declining, but new studies emphasize that any exposure to lead can have an impact on a child's future. One study links lead exposure to delinquency and another shows that high levels of lead in adults can increase significantly the likelihood of mortality.

Clean Water Act Diluted by Obsolete Data System
May 27, 2003, USA Today -- The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) ability to monitor and control water pollution is being severely undermined by an outdated computer system, finds a new report from the agency's internal watchdog.

Could Cleaning House Give You Asthma? Women More Likely To Get Asthma Than Men
February 11, 2003, WNBC.com

Court Upholds EPA Arsenic Rule for Water
June 20, 2003, Miami Herald -- A panel of the U.S. Court of Appeals today unanimously upheld the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's 2001 arsenic in drinking water rule and ruled that the federal Safe Drinking Water Act is constitutional.

Detecting and Removing Lead Paint
Find out how to detect lead paint in your home -- and what to do to contain or remove it.

Disinfectants for Day Care: How Do I Prove a Safer Disinfectant is Effective?
We’ve maintained that disinfectants aren’t necessary for our homes, but schools and day care center must do their best to be germ-free. One parent writes: Our day care program was forced to switch from a safer, herbal disinfectant to chlorine bleach. What can we do to prove the herbal disinfectant is effective?

Don't Let Termites Eat You Out of House and Home
The discovery of termites in your home can be horrifying, but it doesn't have to mean disaster or toxic chemicals. Safe alternatives exist. Read about them here.

Drugging Our Water: We Flush It, Then We Drink It
What happens to the drugs and personal care products we discard? They may very well end up in our drinking water, according to this report from E Magazine.

Firm Agrees to Cut Lead Levels in Kaopectate by Up to 90 Percent
June 27, 2003, Sacramento Bee -- A San Francisco judge approved a settlement Thursday requiring the makers of Kaopectate to reduce the levels of lead in its popular liquid anti-diarrheal medicine by 80-to-90 percent.

Flame Retardants Raise Concern, Pressuring U.S. EPA to Consider Ban
October 27, 2003, USA Today and Science News -- Flame retardants called polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) have recently been shown to accumulate in human tissue, including breast milk. Recent widely reported studies found that US mothers had levels 10 to 20 times higher than mothers in Europe. Science News reports that these flame retardants may be the new PCBs, pointing out that they are found in many household products, including kids' pajamas and computers.

Such data is pushing the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to finally negotiate with a US chemical manufacturer to phase out two toxic chemicals used as flame retardants, according to USA Today.

Floor Coverings
Natural, untreated floor coverings like true linoleum, cork, ceramic and hardwoods are the best choices to create a healthy environment for your family.

Fragrance in Perfumes and Cosmetics
Cosmetics and perfumes make us more attractive. But mixed in with the colors and scents are a wide variety of unattractive chemicals.

Fragrances in Air Fresheners and Deodorizers
Given all the chemicals in most commercial air fresheners, they should be called air polluters. Luckily, there are healthier ways of keeping your home smelling fresh -- like nothing at all, that is.

Fragrances in Candles, Incense and Potpourri
Aromatherapy practices like burning "flavored" candles or incense release a lot more than scent into the air you breathe. Deep, relaxing breaths needn't come with a lungful of chemicals.

Showing results 1 - 22 of 22
Show All Chemical Results

Red	Orange	Yellow
Danger! Prevent Exposure	Warning Avoid Exposure	Caution Limit Exposure

1,4-dichlorobenzene
used in mothballs and deodorizers

1,4-dioxane
solvent stabilizer in paints, pesticides; also contaminant sometimes found in personal care products

alkylphenols and alkylphenol ethoxylates
surfactants and their breakdown product; used in some cleaning products, adhesives, plastics, hair care products and spermicides

ammonia
gas with sharp, irritating odor, used in some household cleaners, such as window cleaners

bisphenol-A (BPA)
building block of polycarbonate plastic

butylated hydroxyanisole
food and cosmetic preservative

chlorine
highly corrosive gas

diethanolamine
foaming agent

d-limonene
naturally occurring oil used in cleaners, foods and fragrances.

environmental tobacco smoke (ETS)
smoke produced by burning tobacco products

fluoride
Compound added to water and toothpaste to prevent tooth decay.

formaldehyde
volatile organic compound that is a common indoor air pollutant

lead
highly toxic metal once used in paints

mercury
toxic heavy metal

molds
allergenic fungi that occur throughout nature and can grow on any surface

N,N-diethyl-meta-toluamide
insect repellent

naphthalene
moth repellent

parabens
potentially allergenic preservatives used in many personal care products

permethrin
pyrethroid insecticide

phthalates
additives used in PVC plastic (vinyl), cosmetics, wood finishes and insecticides

sodium laureth sulfate
sudsing agent used in shampoos and other products

talc
powdered mineral used in baby products and cosmetics