Banner image, 'KidsWeb: King County's
web site for kids!'

Natural Resources Kids Page
Household Hazardous Waste
Hazardous Household Product Quiz

Many of the products used around your house, like paints or cleaners, are hazardous. These materials can be harmful to you or to the environment. How well do you know these household hazards and how to safely dispose of them? drawing of a can of paint

1. Name two hazardous products often found in our homes.

2. How are the solvents (chemicals like tolulene that dissolve paint and other coatings) used in household products different from industrial and commercial solvents?

3. Name one popular cosmetic that is mostly composed of solvents.

4. Name three words you might find on a product label that tell you that product is hazardous.

5. It is your turn to clean the stubborn stain in the bathtub. Why should you never add ammonia to strengthen the power of the chlorine-based scouring powder you are using?

6. Why are consumers often uncertain about the ingredients contained in the products they buy and use?

7. Define "toxic."

8. How long does it take an acutely toxic substance to produce adverse health effects?
immediately about a week over a year many years

9. What is chronic exposure to a toxic substance?

10. Name three ways toxic substances can enter into your body.

11. While you are baby-sitting, the child swallows a toxic substance. What should you do?

12. Why are aerosol sprays (like spray paint) potentially harmful to your health?

13. You helped change the motor oil in the family car. What should you do with the used motor oil?

14. Name one household hazardous product that can be recycled.

15. When is a product hazardous?

(taken from Thurston County's Waste Reduction and Recycling Integrated Waste Management Guide 7-12 Curriculum).

Updated: Jan. 1, 1999

Natural Resources Kids Page - Kids Web home


Click below to link to the main King County site.

Natural Resources and Parks | King County | News | Services | Comments | Search

Links to external sites do not constitute endorsements by King County.
By visiting this and other King County web pages,
you expressly agree to be bound by terms and conditions of the site.
The details.