Learn the Basics

The Spring 2011 issue of the educational magazine The Change Agent has a number of articles focusing on the use of toxic chemicals in the home and workplace. See pages 3-8 and 36-39.

Gather Data

Find the products you and your family or co-workers regularly touch or breathe. What chemicals are in them? Make a list.

Explore Strategies

How toxic are these chemicals? Look them up on the CDC’s ToxFAQs on our Public Data page. The ToxFAQs will also list any relevant workplace requirements from OSHA. You can learn a little more about OSHA Permissible Exposure Limits with a fact sheet from Limits and Levels.

To be dangerous, the chemicals need to be toxic and you need to be exposed to them somehow. The SfA activities mentioned in Pieces of the Risk Puzzle can help you think about potential exposures and outcomes.

The Toxic Use Reduction Institute has a number of tip sheets with advice for replacing toxic chemicals with safer ones.

Make Your Case

If your concern is at home, see if there are non-toxic alternatives you can use. If at work, raise the concern with a supervisor, or with the person who purchases supplies.