GENERAL CHEMISTRY 1

WORKSHEET # 1
How Chemistry Contributes to the Understanding of Household and Personal Care Products

Scientific Overview

Application of chemistry in various fields of knowledge is very evident. Learning chemistry is very
helpful because if one knows basic chemical principles this might lead to the discovery of new relevant
products that we can use in our everyday lives. There had been researches conducted in the past that
focus on the formulation of materials (i. e. drugs) from natural products and until now extensive
researches trials for its efficacy are being exhausted for this purpose. This unit, however, underscores
more of the chemistry of household and personal care products elucidating its active chemical
constituents. Some of the most common materials in doing household chores and in grooming are
presented in the figure below.

I. Objectives. At the end of this lesson, you are expected to:

1. Give common examples of cleaning materials for the house and for personal care;
2. Identify the active ingredient(s) of cleaning products used at home;
3. Give the use of the other ingredients in cleaning agents;
4. Give common examples of personal care products used to enhance the appearance of human
body;
5. Identify the major ingredients of cosmetics such as body lotion, skin whitener, deodorants,
shaving cream, and perfume; and
6. Explain the precautionary measures indicated in various cleaning products and cosmetics.

Building Science Understanding

Cleaning materials

There are so many cleaning materials for the house and for personal care available in the market.
Have you ever asked yourself about its active chemical components and possible dangers if not used
properly? All these materials serve for specific purpose.

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 When consumers buy commercial cleaning products, we expect them to do one thing: clean! We use
a wide array of scents, soaps, detergents, bleaching agents, softeners, polishes, and specialized cleaners
for bathrooms, glass, drains, and ovens to keep our homes sparkling and sweet-smelling. But while the
chemicals in cleaners foam, bleach, and disinfect to make our dishes, bathtubs and counter tops
gleaming and germ-free, many also contribute to indoor air pollution as well as outdoor air pollution, are
poisonous if ingested, and can be harmful if inhaled or touched. In fact based on the researchers
conducted in select parts of United States, it was reported that some cleaners are among the most toxic
products found in the home. Moreover, many of these products are contained in plastics which is also
contribute to increasing solid wastes generated by households in a day. The tables below shows the
product/s used in a particular part of the house (in the garage, in the laundry room/ utility room, in the
kitchen, in the bathroom, in the living room, in the bedroom, in the backyard, pool and garden shed), its
active chemical components as well as the possible effects of these substances on humans and other
living things.

Product Hazardous Ingredient Possible Effects

Antifreeze Ethylene glycol Poisonous if swallowed- can cause severe damage

to the heart, kidneys, brain.
Inhalation can cause dizziness.
Motor oil Heavy metals Can cause nerve and kidney damage; is thought to
cause cancer.

Hydrocarbons Some forms thought to cause cancer.

Batteries Sulfuric acid Can cause severe skin burns and blindness.
(car, boat, tractor)
Lead Can cause nerve and kidney damage; is thought to
cause cancer.

Wiendshield washer fluid Methanol Can damage the nervous system, liver, kidneys;
inhalation can lead to lung disease; ingestion can
cause blindness.

Ethylene glycol Poisonous if swallowed- can cause severe damage

to the heart, kidneys, brain. Inhalation can cause
dizziness.

Isopropanol Can irritate mucous membranes; ingestion results

in drowsiness, unconsciousness and death.

Paint Organic solvents Can irritate eyes and skin; cause cracking of the
skin. Inhaling paint fumes can result in headaches,
nausea, dizziness and fatigue.

Table 5.1 Cleaning Materials at home: In the Garage

Product Hazardous Ingredient Possible effects

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Laundry detergent Cationic, anionic, or non- If swallowed, cationic detergents can cause nausea,
ionic solutions. vomiting, shock, convulsions, and coma. Non-ionic
detergents can irritate skin and eyes.

All-purpose cleaners Ammonia Fumes can irritate eyes and lungs; can cause burns
or rashes on skin; can produce deadly chloramine
gas if mixed with chlorine contaminating products.

Ethylene glycol monobutyl Poisonous if swallowed- can cause severe damage

acetate to the heart, kidneys and brain. Inhalation can cause
dizziness.

Sodium hypochlorite Corrosive to skin and lining of nose, mouth and

throat; fumes irritating to eyes and respiratory tract.

Bleach Sodium hypochlorite Corrosive to skin and lining of nose, mouth and
solution throat; fumes irritating to eyes and respiratory tract.

Pet flea and tick treatments Organophosphates and Can cause headache, dizziness, twitching, nausea;
carbamates shown to cause cancer in animals.

Insecticides Organophosphates and Can cause headache, dizziness, twitching, nausea;

carbamates shown to cause cancer in animals.

Table 5.2 Cleaning materials at home: Laundry room/ Utility room

Product Hazardous Ingredient Possible effects

Dishwashing detergent Cationic, anionic, or non-ionic Automatic products can cause skin irritation or
solutions plus phosphates burns; hand dishwashing products are milder,
(automatic dishwasher though can cause irritation to mouth, throat and GI
detergents) tract.

Oven cleaners Lye (consisting of either Extremely corrosive, burns skin and eyes; can be
sodium hydroxide or fatal if swallowed; aerosols disperse chemicals,
potassium hydroxide) increasing inhalation dangers.

Antibacterial cleaner Ammonia, Detergents, Lye Can cause dizziness, skin irritate

Cresol Can be corrosive to tissue; damages liver, kidneys,

lungs pancreas and spleen.

Phenol Can cause central nervous system depression;

severely affect circulatory system; corrosive to skin;
suspected of causing cancer.

Pine oil Can irritate eyes and lining of nose, mouth and
throat.

Window and glass Ammonia Fumes can irritate eyes and lungs; can cause burns
cleaner or rashes on skin; can produce deadly chloramine
gas if mixed with chlorine containing products.

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 Isopropanol Can irritate mucous membranes; ingestion results in
drowsiness, unconsciousness and death.

Insect baits traps Organophosphates and Can cause headache, dizziness, twitching, nausea;
carbamates shown to cause cancer in animals.

Table 5.3 Cleaning Materials at Home: Kitchen

Product Hazardous Ingredient Possible effects

Toilet bowl cleaners Sodium bisulfate Forms sulfuric acid, which is corrosive, burns skin.

Oxalic acid Can damage kidney and liver; irritate eyes and
respiratory tract; corrodes mouth and stomach.

5-dimethyldantoin Forms hypochlorite in water, which is corrosive to

skin and mucous membranes.

Hydrochloric acid Fumes are extremely corrosive; burns skin.

Phenol Can cause central nervous system depression;

severely affect circulatory system; corrosive to skin;
suspected of causing cancer.

Mold and mildew removers Chlorine and alkyl Can cause breathing problems; if swallowed, can
ammonium chlorides burn throat.

Drain cleaners Lye and sulfuric acid Can cause burns to skin and in severe cases,
blindness if splashed in eye.

Table 5.4 Cleaning Materials at Home: Bathroom

Product Hazardous Ingredient Possible effects

Rug, carpet, upholstery Perchloroethylene Fumes cause dizziness, sleepiness, nausea, loss of
cleaners appetite and disorientation; can cause cancer with
long-term exposure.

Naphtalene Can damage liver; prolonged vapor exposure has led

to cataract formation.

Furniture polish Ammonia, naphtha, Can irritate your skin, eyes, throat, lungs and
nitrobenzene, petroleum windpipe; if swallowed, furniture polish can cause
distillates, and phenol nausea and vomiting.

Air fresheners Formaldehyde A strong irritant to the eyes, throat, akin and lungs;
thought to cause cancer.

Petroleum distillates Can irritate skin, eyes, respiratory tract; may cause
fatal pulmonary edema; flammable.

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 P- Dischlorobenzene Fumes can be irritating to skin, eyes and throat.

Aerosol propellants Fumes associated with brain damage or highly

flammable.

Household foggers Pyrethrins Can cause severe allergic dermatitis, systemic

allergic reactions. Large amounts may cause nausea,
vomiting, tinnitus, headache, and other CNS
disturbances.

Permethrin Can cause itching and burning of the skin and eyes;
irritate the upper respiratory tract.

Methoprene Can irritate skin and eyes.

Table 5.5 Cleaning Materials at home: Living Room

Product Hazardous Ingredient Possible effects

Mothballs Naphthalene, P- Can cause headaches, dizziness, and irritate the

Dichlorobenzene skin, eyes, and throat; cataract formation and liver
damage can result from prolonged exposure.

Table 5.6 Cleaning Materials at home: Bedroom

Product Hazardous Ingredient Possible effects

Swimming pool chloride Sodium (or calcium) Corrosive to skin and lining of nose, mouth and
tablets hypochlorite throat; fumes irritating to eyes and respiratory
tract.

Insect repellents Butopyronoxyl Can cause mild necrosis in liver and kidney- in
animals.

Cimethyl phthalate Can cause central nervous system depression if

swallowed.

Diethyltoluamide (DEET) Can irritate sensitive skin and respiratory tract

tissues as well as loss of coordination, anxiety,
behavioral changes, and mental confusion.

Weed killers Diquet, 2, 4-D, and Can irritate eyes and skin; can cause abdominal
glyphosphate pain, nausea, vomiting and diarrhea.

Rodent controls Warfarin Causes internal bleeding if ingested in large

amounts.

Table 5.7 Cleaning Materials at home: Backyard, Pool, Garden Shed

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 In summary, most of us consider our home to be the safest place on earth. But depending on your lifestyle,
your home may be the source of some serious chemical hazards because many of the potentially dangerous
chemical can be found in every room in our home. If not properly stored or used, these products could end up in
you or your child’s body or on you or your child’s skin and cause minor to serious and even life-threatening health
problems. What are everyday household chemicals? Listed in the table presented earlier are some of these and
there are a lot more in the market which is being sold commercially.
Keep in mind that most household cleaning products and pesticides are reasonably safe when used as directed
and that the level of toxicity of a product is dependent on the dose of the product used (never use more than the
amount listed on the label) and the length of exposure to the product. Extra caution should be considered when
dealing with these useful deadly chemicals.
Cosmetics
Like many household chemicals used in cleaning, products in grooming/ personal care are emerging and gaining
fair attention in the business world and societal needs. The following are some of the active chemical components
present in various personal care products for your perusal.

Ingredient Description/ Users

Agar Also known as algae, carageenan, laminaria, ulvalactuca and ascophyllum,

contains protein and several vitamins. It is usually added to moisturizers as an
emollient or antioxidant.

Alcohol SD-40 A high-grade cosmetic alcohol that acts as an emollient and a vehicle for the other
ingredients. Alcohols (including ethyl alcohol, methyl alcohol, and benzyl alcohol)
also help keep the product bacteria-free, but some alcohols can cause dryness
and irritation for those with sensitive skin.

Allantoin Used in skin creams and lotions and is a by-product of uric acid; it is an effective
calming agent that also reduces skin irritation

Alluminumchloralhydrate
One of the most common ingredients in antiperspirant. Technically it is a salt, and
when it reacts with enzymes in sweat, it forms a temporary “plug“ that sits in the
pore and prevents more sweat from being released. (The plug is easily washed or
sloughed away by bathing). It also acts as an astringent, causing the pores in the
underarm to constrict so they cannot release more sweat.

Cellulose Cellulose can refer to any plant-derived matter. In creams and lotions, it is used as
a thickener and allows oil ingredients to blend with water without separating.

Diethanolamine Diethanolamine, like its cousin triethanolamine, sometimes goes byits initials DEA
(to TEA, in the case of triethanolamine). It is a solvent that is added to cleansers to
make them lather and foam.

Dimethicone A form of silicone. Used often in hair products, it makes the product slippery and
spreadable. In general, any ingredients with the suffix “cone“ are forms of silicone
that perform similar functions.

Glycerin Found naturally in the skin and is added to skin creams to increase hydration.

Glycol stearate A thickener added to products like shampoos to give them a pearly or opalescent

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 look. It does not change how the product works, but it makes it look appealing.

Lanolin A protein derived from sheep’s sweat glands. It is high-quality moisturizers that’s
especially effective for people with dry or sensitive skin. Chemically, it is very
similar to oil produced by human sebaceous glands.

Lecithin A lipid found naturally in plant and in animal cells, is used in moisturizers and skin
creams as an emollient and moisturizing agent. It helps protect the outer layers of
the epidermis against dryness and irritation, keeping the layers soft and allowing
them to repair and regenerate.

Mica A reflective mineral that is used in makeup products and sometimes toothpaste. It
is reasonable for shimmer and pearlescence.

Panthenol Sometimes called pantothenic acid, is a form of vitamin b5. In hair products, it
seals the hair shaft, making strands soft and shiny. It is sometimes used in skin
ointments that treat burns or irritation because it can reduce inflammation and
speed healing.

Parabens Includes butylparaben, methylparaben, etc. Are preservatives. Used widely in up

to 70 percent of makeup, skin products, and other cosmetics, they prevent
spoilage and inhibit bacteria and fungi.

Potassium sorbate Inhibits the growth of mold and yeast, and is often used as a preservative.

Propylene glycol Like other glycols is a humectant agent used in skin creams that also helps other
ingredients be absorbed more readily. It is not dangerous, as many chain emails
or alarmist websites would have you believe. In cosmetics, it is used in very small
amounts, and the Department of Health and Human Services has determined that
it poses no threat.

Sodium hydroxide The chemical term for lye. This alkaline substance is used to modify a product’s pH
balance (I.e., to make it less acidic). Products with large amounts of sodium
hydroxide can severely irritate skin.

Sodium lauryl sulfate A surface-active substance used most often in shampoo, but is also used in skin
cleansers. It loosens dirt and oils, making it easier to wash them away. Sodium
lauryl sulfate is highly irritating to skin (its cousin sodium Laureth sulfate is milder)
but contrary to popular belief, it does not cause cancer.

Stearyl alcohol Used in emulsions to keep all the ingredients mixed together and suspended
properly. It is also an emollient.

Talc One of the primary ingredients in powdered cosmetics like eye shadow and blush.
It is an absorbent natural compound that comprises silicon and magnesium.

Titanium Dioxide Used to thicken and lighten cosmetics like foundation, blush, and eye shadow. It is
also a sunscreen, protecting against both UVA and UVB rays without causing
irritation to the skin

Tocopherol Along with its chemical cousins tocopherol acetate, tocopheryllinoleate, and
tocopheryl nicotinate, is a form of vitemin E. It is added to lipsticks and other
emollient cosmetics like concealer or cream blush as an inexpensive but powerful

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 antioxidant.

Xanthan gum A thickening agent that gives products their proper texture.

Table 5.8 Personal Care Products; Ingredients and Uses

There are literally thousands of ingredients that can be included in modern cosmetics. Most products
contain active ingredients, plant extracts, preservatives, thickeners, emollients, emulsifiers and also a few
fragrance additives and coloring agents. One way to tell the proportion of these ingredients to one
another is to see where they fall on the product’s label; the active ingredients and those exist in large
amounts are listed first, and fragrances, dyes, and ingredients that exist only in tiny amounts are listed at
the end. It should be noted that a lot of these products are used for a specific purpose, caution should be
observed to prevent any untoward incident and harmful effects to the body and this will be made possible
when you read the labels, direction of use and contraindications, background about the products and
moderation of its use.

Scientific Progress
Activity 1:
List all the home cleaning products you use at home and describe by considering the following questions:
Which product best meets my needs?
What is the best way to store it?
How do I dispose of leftovers?
How can it contaminate the environment?
How can I use it safely?
Is it dangerous to human health?
Write your answers on your lecture notes/clean sheet of paper. Get ready to present your work in blended
learning class.

Activity 2: Hazardous Household Products Inventory

Complete the information in the dummy table provided below. List at least 10 products. Make sure to specify all
the data entries in the column headings.
Product Signal Word Directions for Use Storage Location in
Home
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.

9.
10.

Note in answering the Activity 2

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Product- I.e., dishwashing liquid (brand: joy)
Signal Word- I.e., do not swallow, hazards to humans and domestic animals, avoid contact with eyes.
Directions for Use- Apply an ample amount in the sponge or as desired.
Storage Location in Home- Kitchen (lavatory)

Activity 3: Answer the following questions, based on the findings in your Household Products Inventory.
1. Based on the findings from your product inventory, which hazardous properties were most common?

2. Which signal word was most common?

3. Which products were most toxic? How did you determine this?

4. Which product(s) have signal words based on toxicity testing?

5. What did you learn from this activity?

Activity 4: Personal Care Products (PCP) Worksheet

List ALL the PCPs that you use on a regular basis (at least three times in a week).
The sample table with example is provided below:
Type of Product/ Category Brand Name and Product
Ex. Face Cream Oil of Olay- Total effects night firming cream
Ex. Toothpaste

Activity 5: How much do you know about PCPs?

Answer the TRUE or FALSE checklist adopted from the Sea Grant Pennsylvania- PCP Safety Test Your Knowledge
(FDA= Food and Drug Administration)

________1.The FDA must approve all PCPs before they are sold in stores.

________2.Chemicals used in PCPs like soaps, lotions, and shampoos can cause problems in fish, frogs
and other wildlife.

________3.The EPA has limits for a number of chemicals in PPCPs that can enter streams, rivers, lakes
and groundwater.

________4.Waste water treatment plants remove all chemicals from water.

________ 5.“Cruelty-free“ or “not tested on animals“ means that no animal testing was done on the
product and its ingredients.

________6.If a product is labeled “all-natural“ or “organic“ it’s probably safer.

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________7.Even if the product is labeled “hypoallergenic“ it may contain substances that can cause an
allergic reaction.

________8.Choosing the products with the claim “dermatologist tested“ is a way to avoid allergic reaction
or other skin irritation.

________9.PCPs are required to have an expiration date.

________10.Government and FDA regulations require companies to perform specific tests to demonstrate
the safety of individual products or ingredients and require them to share their safety information with the
FDA.

Scientific High Points

Household Cleaning Products (HCPs) and Personal Care Problems (PCPs) are very important in
our daily lives. Both are considered necessity over the last few decades because of its functionalities and
several purposes that it serves. While the products available in the market help us make our work easier
and live a life conveniently, precautionary measures should be taken into consideration in terms of its use
to avoid any untoward incidents. It should be noted that while we are looking for some cheaper products,
we should be more interested in knowing the active chemical constituents present in the products that we
are using because in the end, what really matter is our health condition and the health of people living
around us as well as the environment we are living inaround us as well as the environment we are living
in.

Extending Science Learning

 Research on the latest household cleaning and personal care products available in the market. Take
note on the advantageous features that it can offer to the consumers. Present your output in the
class next meeting.

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