Awareness of hazardous substances at home

Abstract

In my long essay I will do my best to persuade the readers, to check the information of the chemicals they are using at home. With thousands of chemicals readily found on the local market and with hundreds more corning in each year, our right for information increases. We need to be made aware, e.g. today nobody would think of using asbestos nor would one find it for sale because now it is widely known that it is carcinogenic. Its carcinogenic properties only became known after countless research. Have you ever wondered what the total amount of chemicals used locally is? Do you really know what a chemical is? Are you aware that all home cleaning agents are made up of chemicals and that they all have side effects and that some are suspected to be carcinogenic as well? Do you know if you are being harmed by toxic chemicals especially at home? Do you really know what toxic means? Are you taking the necessary precautions at home, so as to be free from the harmful effects of chemicals, or do you use cleaning products, for e.g. without wearing suitable rubber gloves or spray insecticides without giving second thought to the fact that you are breathing in the same poisons (as long as one kills that cockroach on the kitchen cupboard, who cares!!!)? There is an increased risk of leukaemia in children whose parents have used pesticides in the home or garden before the child's birth. Are your children or your pets protected from these chemicals? [...]