Sustancia química prioritaria

• Cosmetics and personal care products, including some:
  • Make-up, such as mascara, eye shadow, lipstick, and foundation.
  • Facial cleansers and scrubs.
  • Moisturizers, lotions, and sunscreens.
  • Shampoos, conditioners, and shaving creams.
• Baby products, such as some lotions, baby wipes, and diaper rash ointments.
• Some over-the-counter and prescription medications.
• Some household products, such as some stain removers and pet shampoos.

Scientists are still studying how parabens might affect people’s health.  There is concern that some parabens:

• May interfere with the body’s natural hormones.
• May decrease fertility.

• Consider choosing cosmetics, personal care products, and baby products that use natural preservatives, such as vitamin C (might have words like “ascorbate” or “ascorbic” on the label).
• Try natural oils for skin and hair, such as coconut oil, olive oil, and sunflower seed oil.
• For infants, consider using plain washcloths instead of baby wipes, and wash their skin with ordinary soap and water.

• Drinking water sources in some places, such as parts of the Central Valley and some areas of Southern California.
• Some foods, such as root vegetables and leafy greens, grown in areas containing uranium in soil or water.
• Radiation-shielding equipment containing depleted uranium, used in medical and other applications.
• Specialized ammunition and other military equipment made with depleted uranium.

• Can cause kidney damage.
• Can increase cancer risk.

• If your water comes from a private well, have it tested for metals, including uranium. (If your water comes from a public water supplier, it is already tested regularly for uranium.)
• If you work with uranium, follow all occupational safety guidelines for your industry.

• Components used in electronics, such as semiconductors.
• Some drinking water sources, such as well water that has been affected by industrial or wastewater discharges. This could include discharges from some oil and gas operations.
• Air and dust near certain industrial facilities that can release thallium, such as cement plants and steel manufacturers.
• Cigarette and other tobacco smoke.

Thallium is highly toxic and can harm many important processes in the body. Thallium:

• Can harm the nervous system.
• Can damage vision.
• Can cause hair loss.

• If your water comes from a private well, have it tested for metals, including thallium.  (If your water comes from a public water supplier, it is already tested regularly for thallium.)
• If you work with materials that contain thallium or at facilities where thallium may be released into the air, follow all occupational safety guidelines for your industry. 

• Certain foods, including legumes (beans, lentils, and peanuts), nuts, rice, and liver.
• Some dietary supplements.
• Metal alloys used in a variety of applications, including:
  • Some artificial joints for the hip and knee.
  • Welding supplies and equipment.
• Flame retardants in some plastics, such as polyvinyl chloride (PVC) plastic.

• A small amount of molybdenum is needed to support many important processes in the body, such as metabolism and protecting cells from damage.

• Too much molybdenum:
  • May cause gout-like symptoms, such as joint pain.
  • Might contribute to reproductive problems.
• Molybdenum trioxide may increase cancer risk.

• If you work with molybdenum or molybdenum trioxide, or do any welding or metalworking:
  • Be sure that your work area is well ventilated, and use proper protective equipment.
  • Follow other safe work practices, including washing hands frequently, keeping work dust out of your home, and washing work clothes separately.
  • Keep children away from welding fumes and other metal vapors and dusts.
• If you have a metal hip or knee replacement, follow your doctor’s advice for monitoring metals, including molybdenum, in your blood.

• Certain foods, such as nuts, grains, beans, and leafy green vegetables.
• Some drinking water sources.
• Certain metal alloys, such as steel.
• Some welding rods.

• Some manganese is needed to support many important processes in the body, such as building bones and healing wounds.

Too much manganese:

• May be associated with learning and behavior problems in children.
• Can harm memory, thinking, mood, and balance in adults.

• Eat a well-balanced diet with adequate iron, which can help you maintain a healthy level of manganese.
• If you do any welding or metalworking, be sure that your work area is well ventilated and use proper protective equipment.
• Keep children away from welding fumes and other metal vapors and dusts.

• On-road vehicles that run on diesel fuel, such as semi-trailer trucks, light-duty trucks, and some buses and passenger cars.
• Diesel-powered freight and passenger trains, and cargo and cruise ships.
• Heavy-duty equipment, such as bulldozers and tractors, used for construction, agriculture, landscaping, mining, and similar types of work.
• Diesel-powered generators.

• Can make asthma worse and contribute to other respiratory diseases, like chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).
• May harm the lungs and lower resistance to respiratory infections.
• May make allergic reactions to dust, pollen, and other allergens worse.
• Can make existing heart conditions worse.
• Can increase cancer risk.

• When walking, riding a bike, or exercising outdoors, choose areas away from roadways whenever possible, or side streets with less traffic. Avoid busy highways and paths near train routes.
• When in heavy traffic, keep vehicle windows closed and put the air on recirculate (look for this symbol or check your manual:  ).

• Always start and operate diesel engines in a well-ventilated area.
• If you have a diesel car or truck, don’t idle inside garages, especially garages attached to your home.
• If you have a backup or portable diesel-powered generator, put it well away from your home, to make sure that exhaust does not come in through open windows or doors.
• If possible, use a high-efficiency filter in your home’s central heating and air system.
• Consider buying a portable air cleaner (or “air purifier”) that can remove small particles from the air in your home (see below).
• Because chemicals from diesel exhaust can collect in dust:
  • Wash your and your child’s hands often, especially before preparing or eating food.
  • Clean your floors regularly, using a wet mop or HEPA vacuum cleaner if possible, and use a damp cloth to dust.
• Report diesel trucks in California if they are:
  • Idling where “No idling” signs are posted, or idling for more than five minutes.
  • Not following designated truck routes.

  Call 1-800-363-7664 or fill out the form at this link: www.arb.ca.gov/enf/complaints/icv.htm

• Consumer products, including:
  • Housewares, such as cutting boards, serving utensils, storage containers, humidifiers, and vacuum cleaners.
  • Home furnishings, such as mattress and pillow covers, shower curtains, and rugs.
  • Children’s toys and sporting goods, such as exercise, playground, camping, and boating equipment.
• Some personal care products, including some toothpaste and cosmetics like blush and eyeshadow; and combs, brushes, and razors.
• Building materials, such as some countertops, caulking, concrete, tiles, flooring, and bathroom fixtures.

• May interfere with the body’s natural hormones.
• May make it harder for antibiotics to fight infections. This is because overuse of triclosan and other antibacterials may cause changes in bacteria that make them harder to kill.

• Avoid personal care products that list triclosan on the label, unless you have a medical reason for using them. For example, toothpaste with triclosan may help prevent gingivitis (inflammation of the gums).
• Avoid products labeled “antibacterial” or “antimicrobial.”
• For housewares and other consumer products, look for untreated materials, which could include wood, glass, stainless steel, and natural fabrics like wool. If you can’t tell whether a product has been treated with triclosan or other antibacterials, contact the manufacturer.

• Products made from flexible vinyl plastics, sometimes called “PVC” or labeled with the recycling symbol “3”, including:
  • • Shower curtains, flooring, and coverings on wires and cables.
    • School lunchboxes, binders, backpacks, modeling clay, and some soft plastic and inflatable toys.
    • Some plastic food packaging and some plastic containers.
    • Tubing and gloves used in food processing and medical care.
• Fragrances in some candles, air fresheners, and personal care products like lotions, perfumes, hair products, and deodorants.
• Some nail polish, paint, floor finishes, caulk, and adhesives.
• Some medications and dietary supplements.

• Can interfere with the body’s natural hormones.
• Can affect development in the fetus, infants, and children.
• Can decrease fertility.
• May contribute to allergies and asthma.

• Choose non-plastic alternatives when possible.  Otherwise, avoid flexible vinyl plastics, sometimes called “PVC” or labeled with a “3”.
• Eat more fresh food and less processed and packaged food.
• Choose products that do not list “fragrance” on the ingredient label.
• Because phthalates come out of products and collect in dust, wash your hands often, especially before eating or preparing food, clean your floors regularly, and use a damp cloth to dust.

• Polyurethane foam in furniture, pillows, motor vehicle seats, and baby products, like car seats and changing table pads, especially if manufactured before 2006.
• Some hard plastic casings for electronics, such as TVs and computers; some mattresses, upholstery fabric, draperies, wires, and cables, especially if manufactured before 2013.
• Some carpet padding made from recycled or scrap polyurethane foam.
• Dust in homes, offices, and cars that contain products made with PBDEs.
• Some high-fat foods, like sausages, high-fat cheeses, butter, and fatty fish. 

• May interfere with the body’s natural hormones.
• May harm the developing fetus and infant, possibly affecting later learning and behavior.
• May decrease fertility.

Reducing exposure to PBDEs is difficult because they have been extensively used in furniture and other products.  Actions that may help reduce exposure are listed below.

• Because PBDEs come out of products and collect in dust:
  • • Wash your hands often, especially before eating or preparing food.
    • Wash your children’s hands often.  Infants and toddlers get a lot of dust on their hands when they play or crawl on the floor.
    • Clean your floors regularly and use a damp cloth to dust.
• Replace upholstered furniture that is torn or has crumbling foam.
• Avoid using carpet padding made from recycled or scrap polyurethane foam.
• Include plenty of variety in your diet.

• Hard PES plastic in a variety of items, such as:
  • Baby bottles.
  • Microwave-safe dishes and containers.
  • Parts of electronics, like screens for mobile phones and calculators.
  • Heat-resistant parts used in automobile engines, industrial machinery, medical equipment, and other applications.
• Some clothing, including baby socks and onesies, sportswear, and raingear.
• Fabrics used for blankets, curtains, pillows, and furniture upholstery.
• Coatings in some food cans and nonstick pans.
• Some receipts printed on smooth shiny paper, such as from cash registers or gas pumps.

• May interfere with the body’s natural hormones.
• Might affect the reproductive system.
• Might harm the developing fetus and infant.

• Eat less canned food and more fresh food.
• Choose glass or stainless steel containers for storing food and drinks.
• Avoid microwaving plastic containers.
• Breastfeed your infant if you can. For bottle-feeding, use glass bottles.
• Read labels on clothing and other fabrics, and avoid items made from “polyethersulfone” or “PES” fabric.
• Choose an electronic receipt, or no receipt, when possible. If you work as a cashier or otherwise frequently handle receipts, wear nitrile gloves.
• Because BPS can come out of products and collect in dust:
  • Wash your and your child’s hands often, especially before preparing or eating food.
  • Clean your floors regularly, using a wet mop or HEPA vacuum if possible, and use a damp cloth to dust.