Education Connection What's New - Household Products Database for Educators

Having trouble viewing this email? View it as a Web page.    Household Products Database Educates Students on Consumer Safety and Reducing Health Risks at Home  Did you know that your kitchen cleaner could cause short-term and long-term health effects, and may even contain carcinogens? Certain products available on the U.S. consumer market contain potentially harmful substances, including chemicals and toxins, that may lead to adverse health reactions if used improperly. It is important for consumers of all ages to understand health risks before purchasing or using household products. The National Library of Medicine's Household Products Database (HPDB) provides national consumers with brand-specific information on over 16,000 products that Americans commonly keep in their homes. Products covered by the database include personal care items, landscaping materials, pesticides, auto products, and even pet products. Pages on specific products list warnings from the manufacturer, acute and chronic health effects, carcinogenicity, proper handling and disposal methods, and ingredients contained in the product. As an environmental health sciences educator, you can use this database as a powerful tool to introduce students to the world of environmental toxicology, connecting in-class concepts to real-world applications. Students of all ages will be familiar with products contained within this database, including shampoo, hand soap, and arts and crafts materials. Equipping students with the knowledge and tools to become safe consumers will last far beyond your class period! For more information, visit: About Household Products Database and HPDB Factsheet Teacher Talk: Introduce the concept of household product safety by bringing a few commonly-used household items to class (shampoos, cleaners, or even craft paint). Show students the product warnings and how to look for harmful ingredients on the label. Introduce the website and its features before letting them explore the site. Challenge students to find a health risk and a method to prevent that health risk for three different products they use regularly. Other Resources: Hazardous Substances Data Bank ToxTown: For Educators     Update your subscriptions, modify your password or email address, or stop subscriptions at any time on your Subscriber Preferences Page. You will need to use your email address to log in. If you have questions or problems with the subscription service, please visit subscriberhelp.govdelivery.com. This service is provided to you at no charge by K-12 Science and Health Education. This email was sent to solanabeachmassage.sbhc@blogger.com using GovDelivery Communications Cloud on behalf of: K-12 Science and Health Education · Two Democracy Plaza, Suite 440 and Suite 510 · 6707 Democracy Blvd., MSC 5467 · Bethesda, MD 20892-5467