Every year, Canadians spend millions of dollars on household cleaning chemicals. Although common in homes and property, most household cleaners and chemical products are toxic. To avoid serious accidents, any chemical products should be used and stored safely by the manufacturer's instructions, especially if there are children or pets at home. Here are some household chemical products you need to know that can cause serious health problems:

1. Antifreeze

Swallowing antifreeze (ethylene glycol) may cause damage to the heart, brain, kidneys, and other internal organs. Inhaling antifreeze is not so dangerous, but it may cause dizziness.

2. Bleach

Bleach is a strong corrosive substance, which will affect the respiratory system after inhalation. Bleach can also irritate or burn skin and eyes. Ingestion of bleach can cause pulmonary edema, vomiting, and coma. It is strongly recommended to wear rubber gloves and dust masks when using bleach.

3. Sewer cleaner

These hazardous substances contain lye and other chemicals, which are known to cause skin and eye burns and even blindness in severe cases. Swallowing a small amount of drain cleaner can seriously affect the throat and stomach and may even lead to death.

4. Carpet or interior decoration cleaner

Carpet cleaners contain naphthalene, which can cause cataracts and liver damage if exposed for a long time. Perchloroethylene in a carpet cleaner is a carcinogen. Short-term exposure may lead to dizziness, headache, renal dysfunction, nerve injury, and other problems.

5. Ammonia

Smoke from ammonia can irritate the eyes, nose, throat, and lungs. People with asthma or cardiopulmonary disease should avoid using ammonia. Mixing ammonia with chlorine-containing products (such as bleach) will produce more dangerous gases, which can be fatal.

6. Air freshener

Air fresheners are known to contain formaldehyde, a strong (possibly carcinogenic) substance that can irritate the skin, eyes, or throat. They contain other dangerous chemicals that may cause nervous system damage or pulmonary edema in sensitive people. Here are tips to keep the indoor air fresh safely.

These are just some of the more harmful household chemicals common in the family. Many other cleaners contain potentially dangerous chemicals. For the sake of safety, homeowners should avoid buying products labeled dangerous or toxic. More family hidden dangers can be found in this article. The purr clean team is ready to provide professional repair services for any property affected by fire, water, or mold damage.