Fourth Edition.
How many chemicals do you have in your home? You may not have given it much consideration until now, but Australian homes are full of chemicals. In the garden shed, the kitchen, the laundry and the bathroom a wide range of chemical substances can be found. Used wisely, they can be a great asset. Without care, however, some are potentially dangerous. Many householders are unaware of their impact on health and the environment.
This book offers information about many of the chemicals encountered in daily life, explaining their action and some of their possible effects on our health and the environment. Only by understanding more about the chemicals we use can we recognise those which have the least harmful effects and make an informed choice.
Chemical products serve many purposes in our daily lives. They can help us to beautify our homes and ourselves, and can make tedious cleaning jobs easier. We use them to help control insects and in home maintenance. When we have finished using these products many chemicals remain in our surroundings - in the air, the soil and the waterways.
Some accumulate in our bodies and can remain there for many years. Others break down more quickly but in the process damage living things and pollute the environment. Due to their small size, children are particularly vulnerable to the toxicity of some chemicals. Pregnant women and nursing mothers also need to take particular care concerning chemical exposure.
