Chemical Profiles

Our Mission: We ignite the movement that empowers parents to protect children from harmful chemicals. Donate »

(2,4-dichlorophenoxy) acetic acid

Widely used herbicide

Also Known As:

2,4-D

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

asbestos

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

aspartame

artificial sweetener

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

benfluralin

Herbicide used primarily on lawns and golf courses

Also Known As:

Benefin

Benzene

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

benzophenone

sunscreen ingredient

Also Known As:

Benzophenone; Benzoylbenzene; Diphenyl ketone; Diphenylmethanone; Methanone, diphenyl-; Benzoylbenzene; Phenyl ketone

bisphenol-A (BPA)

building block of polycarbonate plastic

bromethalin

toxic rodenticide that affects the nervous system

butylated hydroxyanisole

food and cosmetic preservative

Also Known As:

BHA, BHT

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

carbon monoxide

colorless, odorless, poisonous gas

Also Known As:

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

d-limonene

naturally occurring oil used in cleaners, foods and fragrances.

Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus, D. farinae

microscopic insects that live in house dust and bedding

Also Known As:

dust mite, household dust, dust

diazinon

An organophosphate insecticide

Also Known As:

diazinon

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

dieldrin

organochlorine insecticide

diesel exhaust

diethanolamine

foaming agent

Also Known As:

DEA

dioxins

organochlorine compounds

Also Known As:

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

diphacinone

highly toxic rodenticide

Also Known As:

diphacin, ratindan, dipazin, diphenadione, diphenacin

endosulfan

persistent bioaccumulative organochlorine insecticide

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

fluoride

Compound added to water and toothpaste to prevent tooth decay.

formaldehyde

volatile organic compound that is a common indoor air pollutant

Also Known As:

formalin, urea formaldehyde, phenol formaldehyde

glycols

Also Known As:

Ethylene glycol, propylene glycol

glyphosate

widely used herbicide

Also Known As:

Roundup

lead

highly toxic metal once used in paints

malathion

An organophosphate insecticide.

Also Known As:

malathion

mercury

toxic heavy metal

Also Known As:

elemental mercury, quicksilver, colloidal mercury, metallic mercury

methyl parathion

organophosphate pesticide

Also Known As:

metafos, parathion-methyl

methyl tert butyl ether

Also Known As:

MTBE

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

naphthalene

moth repellent

Also Known As:

mothballs, moth flakes, white tar, tar camphor

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

perchloroethylene

drycleaning fluid

Also Known As:

PCE, perc, tetrachloroethylene

perfluorinated polymers

Also Known As:

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

permethrin

pyrethroid insecticide

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

radon

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

resmethrin

pyrethroid pesticide

sodium laureth sulfate

sudsing agent used in shampoos and other products

Also Known As:

SLES

styrene

volatile organic compound (VOC) and solvent

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 bisulfi

talc

powdered mineral used in baby products and cosmetics

Also Known As:

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

toluene

industrial solvent and volatile organic compound (VOC)

Also Known As:

methylbenzene

Trichloroethylene

solvent use in spot removers, adhesives and other products

Also Known As:

TCE, 1,1,2-trichloroethene, Ethylene trichloride, Algylen, Penzinol, Chlorilen

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

Print this page | Email a friend

Get Answers

View All

Watch Closely

View All Videos

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!