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Chemical Profiles

(2,4-dichlorophenoxy) acetic acid

Widely used herbicide

Also Known As:

2,4-D

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1,4-dichlorobenzene

used in mothballs and deodorizers

Also Known As:

paradichlorobenzene, p-dichlorobenzene, PDCB, paramothballs, para crystals, paracide, p-DCB

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1,4-dioxane

solvent stabilizer in paints, pesticides; also contaminant sometimes found in personal care products

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2-(2-methyl-4-chlorophenoxy)propionic acid

A widely used herbicide used on lawns and golf course

Also Known As:

mecoprop (MCPP)

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3,6-dichloro-2-methoxybenzoic acid

herbicide, sometimes combined with 2,4-D or MCPP

Also Known As:

dicamba

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3-(alpha-acetonylbenzyl)-4- hydroxycoumarin (warfarin)

highly toxic rodenticide

Also Known As:

coumafene, coumarin

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alkylphenols and alkylphenol ethoxylates

surfactants and their breakdown product; used in some cleaning products, adhesives, plastics, hair care products and spermicides

Also Known As:

APEs, nonoxynol, octoxynol, nonylphenol, octylphenol, nonylphenol ethoxylate, octylphenol ethoxylate

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ammonia

gas with sharp, irritating odor, used in some household cleaners, such as window cleaners

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arsenic

toxic heavy metal

Also Known As:

arsenic compounds, such as chromated copper arsenate (CCA), arsenic pentoxide, calcium arsenate, lead arsenate, sodium arsenate, arsenic trioxide, potassium arsenate

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asbestos

mineral fibers that are similar to fiberglass, which can cause cancer

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aspartame

artificial sweetener

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atrazine

a triazine herbicide, the most commonly used herbicide in the U.S. due to its widespread use on corn fields

Also Known As:

atrazine

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benfluralin

Herbicide used primarily on lawns and golf courses

Also Known As:

Benefin®

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benzene

volatile organic compound (VOC) that is a known human carcinogen

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benzophenone

sunscreen ingredient

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bisphenol-A (BPA)

building block of polycarbonate plastic

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bromethalin

toxic rodenticide that affects the nervous system

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butylated hydroxyanisole

food and cosmetic preservative

Also Known As:

BHA, BHT

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cadmium

heavy metal

Also Known As:

cadmium oxide, cadmium carbonate, cadmium chloride, cadmium nitrate, cadmium sulfide, cadmium sulfate, cadmium selenium sulfide, cadmium telluride

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carbaryl

neurotoxic insecticide used in anti-flea products and garden pesticides.

Also Known As:

1-naphthol N-methylcarbamate, Sevin®

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carbon monoxide

colorless, odorless, poisonous gas

Also Known As:

CO

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chlorine

highly corrosive gas

Also Known As:

chloramine, sodium hypochlorite, bleach, hydrochloric acid, trihalomethanes, disinfection byproducts

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chlorothalonil

organochlorine fungicide

Also Known As:

2,4,5,6-tetrachloroisophthalonitrile

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chlorpyrifos

Organophosphate insecticide, phased out for use in homes in 2000.

Also Known As:

Dursban® and Lorsban®

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Coal tar dyes

synthetic dye ingredients used in foods, hair dyes, cosmetics and textiles

Also Known As:

synthetic dyes, artificial colors

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creosote

coal-tar wood preservative

Also Known As:

soot

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d-limonene

naturally occurring oil used in cleaners, foods and fragrances.

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Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus, D. farinae

microscopic insects that live in house dust and bedding

Also Known As:

dust mite, household dust, dust

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diazinon

An organophosphate insecticide

Also Known As:

diazinon

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dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane (DDT)

persistent organochlorine insecticide, banned in the U.S., but used in other countries

Also Known As:

DDT, DDE

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dichloromethane

volatile organic compound used in paint strippers

Also Known As:

methylene chloride, MC, DCM, methylene bichloride, methylenedichloride

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dieldrin

organochlorine insecticide

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diesel exhaust

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diethanolamine

foaming agent

Also Known As:

DEA

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dioxins

organochlorine compounds

Also Known As:

2,3,7,8 -tetrachlorodibenzo-para-dioxin

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diphacinone

highly toxic rodenticide

Also Known As:

diphacin, ratindan, dipazin, diphenadione, diphenacin

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endosulfan

persistent bioaccumulative organochlorine insecticide

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environmental tobacco smoke (ETS)

smoke produced by burning tobacco products

Also Known As:

secondhand smoke. passive smoke

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fipronil

insecticide used to control cockroaches, ants, fleas, ticks, mites and termites

Also Known As:

fipronil

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fluoride

Compound added to water and toothpaste to prevent tooth decay.

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formaldehyde

volatile organic compound that is a common indoor air pollutant

Also Known As:

formalin, urea formaldehyde, phenol formaldehyde

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glycols

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glyphosate

widely used herbicide

Also Known As:

Roundup®

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lead

highly toxic metal once used in paints

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malathion

An organophosphate insecticide.

Also Known As:

malathion

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mercury

toxic heavy metal

Also Known As:

elemental mercury, quicksilver, colloidal mercury, metallic mercury

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methyl parathion

organophosphate pesticide

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methyl tert butyl ether

volatile organic compound (VOC)

Also Known As:

MTBE

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molds

allergenic fungi that occur throughout nature and can grow on any surface

Also Known As:

aspergillus, altenaria, stachybotrys, penicillium, cladosporium

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N,N-diethyl-meta-toluamide

insect repellent

Also Known As:

DEET, N,N-diethyl-m-toluamide, diethyltoluamide

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naphthalene

moth repellent

Also Known As:

mothballs, moth flakes, white tar, tar camphor

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nitrite, nitrate

food preservative that is also naturally occurring

Also Known As:

sodium nitrate, potassium nitrate, ammonium nitrate

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nitrogen oxides

A family of gases that contain nitrogen and oxygen; nitrogen dioxide is a corrosive, brown gas that contributes to smog (ozone).

Also Known As:

NO2, NOx, ozone, smog

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parabens

potentially allergenic preservatives used in many personal care products

Also Known As:

methylparaben, propylparaben, ethylparaben, butylparaben

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perchloroethylene

drycleaning fluid

Also Known As:

PCE, perc, tetrachloroethylene

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perfluorinated polymers

Also Known As:

Teflon®, PFOA, perfluorooctanoic acid, C8, PFOS, perfluoroctane sulfonate, fluoropolymers, perfluorochemicals, PFCs

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permethrin

pyrethroid insecticide

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phthalates

additives used in PVC plastic (vinyl), cosmetics, wood finishes and insecticides

Also Known As:

DEHP, DINP, DBP, DEP, DIP

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polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs)

Brominated flame retardants

Also Known As:

PBDEs, brominated flame retardants, deca-BDE, octa-BDE, penta-BDE

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polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs)

toxic organochlorine compounds, once used as insulators in electrical equipment, that remain in the environment years after thei

Also Known As:

PCBs

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polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs)

particles formed when coal, oil, gas, garbage, tobacco and food are burned

Also Known As:

benzo[a]pyrene, BaP, PAH, PAHs

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radon

naturally occurring radioactive gas that causes lung cancer; found in basements

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resmethrin

pyrethroid pesticide

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sodium laureth sulfate

sudsing agent used in shampoos and other products

Also Known As:

SLES

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styrene

volatile organic compound (VOC) and solvent

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sulfur dioxide

colorless, odorous gas formed when coal and oil are burned

Also Known As:

SO2, sulfurous acid anhydride, sulfurous anhydride, sulfurous oxide, sulfur oxide, sulfites, sodium bisulfite, potassium bisulfite

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talc

powdered mineral used in baby products and cosmetics

Also Known As:

talcum powder, baby powder, soapstone, French chalk, magnesium silicate

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toluene

industrial solvent and volatile organic compound (VOC)

Also Known As:

methylbenzene

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trichloroethylene

solvent use in spot removers, adhesives and other products

Also Known As:

TCE

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trihalomethanes (THMs)

Also Known As:

THMs, in drinking water reports: TTHMs, or total trihalomethanes

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turpentine

a strong-smelling, flammable solvent made from the resin and oil of pine trees, used in paint thinners

Also Known As:

turpentine, oil of turpentine, terpene

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xylenes

solvent and volatile organic compound (VOC) used in paints, ink markers, adhesives.

Also Known As:

m-xylene, o-xylene, p-xylene

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