Family & Consumer Science News
What's in Your Cleaning Products?
By Terri Black County Extension Agent

Have you ever wondered what is in the products you buy?

You can go on line to the Household Products Database and learn more about many of the prod- ucts you use in and around your home.

The United States National Institutes of Health National Library of Medicine Specialized Informational Services created a database filled with useful information on a multitude of household products, including cleaners, home maintenance products and pesticides. Users have access to comprehensive fact sheets which include information on the manufacturer, similar products, how to dispose of it and health effects.

Users can search for information in the following ways:

(1) Type of product. For example, if you are looking for a product to remove bathroom mildew. The database will list the names of several brand name products that remove mildew. The information provided includes the manufacturer, any known health effects, how to handle and dispose of the product and the primary ingredients.

(2) By ingredient. You could also look for a product with a specific ingredient. For example, if you wanted a cleaner with vinegar (acetic acid), the database provides a list of products that contain vinegar.

(3) By health effect. You can also search by symptoms, such as a headache or eye irritation. The database provides a listing of products where that is a known potential health effect.

This is a great resource. Check it out at: http:// householdproducts.nlm.nih.gov. For more information on household products, please contact the Burke County Extension Office at (706) 554-2119.