Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: SUNDAY, February 9, 1992 TAG: 9202060209
SECTION: EXTRA PAGE: E-9 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: DIANE MACEACHERN
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
THERE'S STILL PLENTY TO BEWARE OF IN AEROSOLS
Q: Even though they no longer contain chlorofluorocarbons, do aerosol cans still pose a hazard to the environment?A: For the most part, yes.
In 1978, chlorofluorocarbons were banned for use in most American aerosol products because they were found to be destroying the ozone layer.
But 2.5 billion aerosol cans - which use highly pressured gases to expel their contents in mist, foam or cream form - are made in the United States each year. Because they're a composite container - the body is made from thin sheets of steel welded together with lead, while the "head" is made from plastic - they're impossible to recycle in most communities. And the gas used as a propellant can be flammable and toxic. Aerosols may contain ingredients harmful to health. Some aerosols spray a fine mist that can be easily inhaled, then absorbed into the bloodstream. Many of the gases used as propellants are hydrocarbons. Released outdoors, hydrocarbons react with sunlight and other chemicals to form smog.
If you must buy a product with a spray applicator, select a spray container with a manual pump instead of an aerosol can. You may want to keep some refillable pump sprayers around your home for applying products such as furniture polish and window cleaner.
You can also try one of the new reusable aerosol sprayers, which can be recharged with a bicycle pump or air hose. LDSystems Inc. (800-950-6478) distributes the sprayers.
Indoors, use aerosols in a well-ventilated room. Because they can explode, never puncture, incinerate, or put them in trash compactors.
Q: Can you recommend a "natural" disinfectant?
A: Most homes don't require weekly use of commercial disinfectants to remain sanitary. Regular cleaning of floors, counters, sinks and other surfaces with hot water and a mild all-purpose cleaner should suffice.
If occasionally you need something stronger, mix 1/2 cup of borax in a gallon of hot water, and then scrub with a sponge. The leftover liquid can be stored and used later, but it is toxic if swallowed or inhaled, so make sure you keep it out of children's reach.
To control mold or mildew, use only as much water as you need to dissolve 1/2 cup of borax and then add 1/2 cup of vinegar. Pour any leftover liquid down the drain.
In the event someone in your house contracts a contagious disease and your physician recommends the use of a commercial disinfectant, choose a product that does not come in an aerosol can. You may want to consider a strong all-purpose cleaner containing pine oil, an ingredient that is extracted from pine trees and processed with heat. Although highly flammable, pine oil contains fewer toxic ingredients than disinfectants that contain cresol, O-phenylphenol, or other compounds derived from petroleum.
When applying commercial disinfectants, keep rooms well ventilated - you may want to wear goggles or a surgical-type mask over your nose and mouth. Store them away from flame and heat, and keep them out of reach of children. And treat leftover disinfectants like any other hazardous waste: Close the containers tightly and store in a safe place until you can deliver them to a household hazardous-waste facility.
Send questions about the environment to Tips for Planet Earth, in care of The Washington Post Writers Group, 1150 15th St. N.W., Washington, D.C. 20071-9200. Questions of general interest will be answered in the column; individual answers cannot be provided. The Washington Post