(2,4-dichlorophenoxy) acetic acid
Widely used herbicide
Also Known As:2,4-D
Our Mission: We ignite the movement that empowers parents to protect children from harmful chemicals. Donate »
Charity Navigator 4 Star Charity
Chemical Profiles
1,4-dichlorobenzene
used in mothballs and deodorizers
Also Known As:paradichlorobenzene, p-dichlorobenzene, PDCB, paramothballs, para crystals, paracide, p-DCB
1,4-dioxane
solvent stabilizer in paints, pesticides; also contaminant sometimes found in personal care products
Also Known As:1,4-Diethyleneoxide
2-(2-methyl-4-chlorophenoxy)propionic acid
A widely used herbicide used on lawns and golf course
Also Known As:mecoprop (MCPP)
3,6-dichloro-2-methoxybenzoic acid
herbicide, sometimes combined with 2,4-D or MCPP
Also Known As:dicamba
3-(alpha-acetonylbenzyl)-4- hydroxycoumarin (warfarin)
highly toxic rodenticide
Also Known As:coumafene, coumarin
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
ammonia
gas with sharp, irritating odor, used in some household cleaners, such as window cleaners
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
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
benzophenone
sunscreen ingredient
Also Known As:Benzophenone; Benzoylbenzene; Diphenyl ketone; Diphenylmethanone; Methanone, diphenyl-; Benzoylbenzene; Phenyl ketone
cadmium
heavy metal
Also Known As:cadmium oxide, cadmium carbonate, cadmium chloride, cadmium nitrate, cadmium sulfide, cadmium sulfate, cadmium selenium sulfide, cadmium telluride
carbaryl
neurotoxic insecticide used in anti-flea products and garden pesticides.
Also Known As:1-naphthol N-methylcarbamate, Sevin
chlorine
highly corrosive gas
Also Known As:chloramine, sodium hypochlorite, bleach, hydrochloric acid, trihalomethanes, disinfection byproducts
chlorothalonil
organochlorine fungicide
Also Known As:meta-Tetrachlorophthalodinitrile; Tetrachloroisophthalonitrile; Chlorothalonil; 2,4,5,6-Tetrachloro-3-cyanobenzonitrile
chlorpyrifos
Organophosphate insecticide, phased out for use in homes in 2000.
Also Known As:Dursban and Lorsban
Coal tar dyes
synthetic dye ingredients used in foods, hair dyes, cosmetics and textiles
Also Known As:synthetic dyes, artificial colors
creosote
coal-tar wood preservative
Also Known As:wood creosote, coal tar creosote, coal tar, coal tar pitch, coal tar pitch volatiles
Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus, D. farinae
microscopic insects that live in house dust and bedding
Also Known As:dust mite, household dust, dust
dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane (DDT)
persistent organochlorine insecticide, banned in the U.S., but used in other countries
Also Known As:DDT, DDE
dichloromethane
volatile organic compound used in paint strippers
Also Known As:methylene chloride, MC, DCM, methylene bichloride, methylenedichloride
diphacinone
highly toxic rodenticide
Also Known As:diphacin, ratindan, dipazin, diphenadione, diphenacin
environmental tobacco smoke (ETS)
smoke produced by burning tobacco products
Also Known As:secondhand smoke. passive smoke
fipronil
insecticide used to control cockroaches, ants, fleas, ticks, mites and termites
Also Known As:fipronil
formaldehyde
volatile organic compound that is a common indoor air pollutant
Also Known As:formalin, urea formaldehyde, phenol formaldehyde
mercury
toxic heavy metal
Also Known As:elemental mercury, quicksilver, colloidal mercury, metallic mercury
molds
allergenic fungi that occur throughout nature and can grow on any surface
Also Known As:aspergillus, altenaria, stachybotrys, penicillium, cladosporium
N,N-diethyl-meta-toluamide
insect repellent
Also Known As:DEET, N,N-diethyl-m-toluamide, diethyltoluamide
nitrite, nitrate
food preservative that is also naturally occurring
Also Known As:sodium nitrate, potassium nitrate, ammonium nitrate
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
parabens
potentially allergenic preservatives used in many personal care products
Also Known As:methylparaben, propylparaben, ethylparaben, butylparaben
perfluorinated polymers
Also Known As:Teflon, PFOA, perfluorooctanoic acid, C8, PFOS, perfluoroctane sulfonate, fluoropolymers, perfluorochemicals, PFCs
phthalates
additives used in PVC plastic (vinyl), cosmetics, wood finishes and insecticides
Also Known As:DEHP, DINP, DBP, DEP, DIP
polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs)
Brominated flame retardants
Also Known As:PBDEs, brominated flame retardants, deca-BDE, octa-BDE, penta-BDE
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
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
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
talc
powdered mineral used in baby products and cosmetics
Also Known As:talcum powder, baby powder, soapstone, French chalk, magnesium silicate
trihalomethanes (THMs)
Also Known As:THMs, in drinking water reports: TTHMs, or total trihalomethanes
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
xylenes
solvent and volatile organic compound (VOC) used in paints, ink markers, adhesives.
Also Known As:m-xylene, o-xylene, p-xylene
Get Answers
View AllI am pregnant and my new carpet has a chemical odor. Is it possible that the chemicals in the new carpet can be dangerous to the fetus and my young son? If, so what should I do?
Do you have any ideas on how to begin addressing the issue of pesticide use on a policy level? What organizations might help us not only by sending their literature but with technical assistance?
How can we control pests without Pesticides?
Read and Learn
It's the trusted guidebook for the Next Generation of Parenting "...that every single parent needs to read..."
PICK UP A COPY
Now In Paperback!
