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GARAGE & BACKYARD |
| Product Types
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Potential Health Hazards
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Safer Alternatives
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Batteries- Household
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Corrosive. Contain mercury,
cadmium, lithium, silver, lead
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- Use rechargeable batteries.
- Avoid purchasing battery-operated products.
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Car battery corrosion removal
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Degreasers (Automotive/Garage)
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Contain: Flammable,
toxic. Contain: carbon
tetrachloride, toluene. Keep tightly sealed and away from
children.
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- Recycle degreaser at gas stations; do not mix with
crankcase oil, makes unrecycleable.
- Select citrus-based degreasers over solvents.
- Garage floor: Sprinkle kitty litter or cornmeal; let sit
for hours, then sweep up and dispose of.
- Battery terminals: baking soda and water paste to wipe;
replace; prevent with petroleum jelly.
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Fertilizers
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Contains: ammonium nitrate, lime, pesticides. Single ingredient
fertilizers are corrosive to
skin, eyes and mucous
membranes.
Both organic and chemical fertilizers contaminate
ground nutrients and water as well as the health of humans and
animals.
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- Compost and vermicompost to add nutrients.
- Be aware of water paths (slopes) and avoid using
fertilizers if heavy rains are expected.
- Use slow release fertilizers that contain at least 50%
insoluble nitrogen.
- Fertilizers with pesticides kill plants and trees.
- Chemical (synthetic) fertilizers are water soluble and
overused so end up in waterways.
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Grease cleaners
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- Wear nitrile or other gloves to keep clean.
- Try nontoxic lanolin and glycerin-based soap.
- Use baby or cooking oil or margarine to cut, then wash
thoroughly with dish soap and water;
- Coat hands with hand lotion prior to work.
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Ingredients in oil-based paints may cause flu-like symptoms when
inhaled.
Flammable.
**May take weeks for fumes to go away!
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- Use water-based paints whenever possible.
- Keep stored in cool, dry place away from children.
- Seal all cans with tight-fitting lids.
- Oil-Based: USE LATEX paints—AVOID
AEROSOL paints.
- Leftover paint: let evaporate outdoors away from children
or use for an extra/base coat.
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Paint thinner/stripper (Also: varnish lacquer,
turpentine, glues, auto body repair compounds)
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Flammable.
Solvents in furniture
refinishing may cause headaches, drowsiness, blurred vision,
impaired motor response, and/or chemical intoxication. Heart
conditions and contact lenses are especially dangerous around these
compounds. Methanol, and other chemicals, stress the heart as well
as are readily absorbed
through contact lenses and held against the eyes causing
irritation or damage.
**DO NOT POUR Down Drain!
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- USE OUTDOORS or
well ventilated
areas.
- Wear paper mask when sanding or grinding.
- Use a scraper, heat gun, or sandpaper to remove old paint.
- Use thinners with less toxic ingredients.
- Use whitewash (hydrated lime, water, and salt) for outdoor
jobs (fences, basements, barns, etc.).
- Brushes: Do not soak in
solvents; clean
immediately, soak in water or soapy water; to soften soak in
hot vinegar.
- Always wear goggles, gloves and apron.
- DO NOT use near open flame.
- Avoid thinners by using water based paints.
- Let settle, skim top for clear, reusable thinner.
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Septic system cleaners
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Poisonous. Contain methylene
chloride, aggravates heart disease and suspected of causing
cancer.
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- Get professionally cleaned every 2 to 3 years.
- DO NOT CHEMICALLY TREAT your sewer; it can actually harm
your system.
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Swimming Pool Cleaning Chemicals
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Contain: bromine, calcium chloride, hypochlorites.
Flammable,
corrosive,
reactive, burns on contact
with skin and eyes. Mixing chlorine can explode.
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- Wear splash goggles and gloves for protection.
- DO NOT smoke when using these products.
- Keep tightly stored, but do not stack.
- Do not put in trash; dispose of through the YMCA or pool
or use up yourself.
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