Warm weather cleanup and fix-up projects may be good for the soul, but they can also be hazardous to your health without a few precautions, experts say.

        Chemicals in cleansers and solvents, dust, mold and particles of wood, plaster and other building materials are among the dangers that may pop up on your “to do” list.

Jeff Bradley, a technician at the UC Center for Occulational Health, wears a respirator while Dr. Roy McKay monitors a test. (Michael E. Keating photo) | ZOOM |

        “One of the issues is that people like to start mixing things,” says Gaylene Tsipis, co-director of the Drug and Poison Information Center at Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center. “If one product is good, mixing two things together is going to be better.”

        Most household cleaning products contain fairly strong chemical compounds aimed at reducing the amount of elbow grease needed to get the tub or oven or kitchen floor clean.

        But when you mix two strong chemicals — say, ammonia and chlorine, both commonly found in household cleansers — the results can be even stronger and sometimes dangerous. Chlorine plus ammonia equals chloramine, and the fumes are toxic, Ms. Tsipis says, resulting in irritation of the skin, eyes, lungs and respiratory tract.

        Chlorine mixed with several types of chemicals, including various acids, can be dangerous, especially in poorly ventilated areas, such as a bathroom or attic, she says.

        The easiest way to avoid poisoning yourself, your loved ones or your pets is to understand the risks of the products you're using, experts say.

        Translated: Read the label.

        “It's not glamorous but probably the best message we can get out is people need to read the labels and follow the cautionary message that's on the label,” Ms. Tsipis says.

        Information on the label includes the ingredients (chlorine, ammonia, borax, etc.), the possible side effects if the product is ingested, inhaled or absorbed into the skin, safety precautions (such as wearing gloves or eye protection) and first aid procedures.

        Many everyday household products have the potential to do harm, Ms. Tsipis says.

        Cleansers formulated for ovens and grills “are extremely caustic. They're formulated in a way to make them adhere to the surface to make them loosen up the dirt. That same principle would make it adhere to your skin. If you get it onto the skin, you need to do extensive rinsing,” she says. Gloves are also a good idea.

        Many disinfectants contain ingredients that are very alkaline and can be very irritating to the skin.

        Many cleaning products contain lye, a strong corrosive that can be deadly if ingested.

        “Don't leave containers out and open when you've got children around,” Ms. Tsipis says. The child could swallow the product, and a very young child could fall into a bucket or washtub and drown, she says.

        Products used outdoors, such as rust removers and some cleansers formulated for cars, are extremely caustic and can do damage to the eyes, skin and respiratory tract.

        Dr. Roy McKay, the director of respiratory protection services at the University of Cincinnati's Center for Occupational Health, says home repair and remodeling projects can also be hazardous.

        It's important for do-it-yourselfers to know exactly what kinds of chemicals and materials they're working with. Some solvents, varnishes, paints and paint removers may give off hazardous fumes. Some paints or varnishes may produce particles that can be dangerous if inhaled or ingested.

        Dust and particles from wood, plaster, Sheetrock, insulation and other building materials can be hazardous. And working in a poorly ventilated attic, garage or basement is asking for trouble because dangerous fumes can't be dispersed by natural airflow.

        He recommends reading product labels carefully and following instructions regarding protective equipment, particularly respirators, to cut down on exposures to hazardous materials. Look for respirators that are approved by the National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH).

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