Household Chemistry: Identifying, Structuring, & Assessing Hazards

This assignment explores the types of chemicals found in common household products. It identifies six different products from the kitchen, cleaning supplies, and outdoors, providing a picture of each product, the chemical name of one compound within it, the chemical formula, and the structure. The assignment then ranks these chemicals from most to least toxic based on hazard symbols, primary hazards, disposal instructions, and first aid procedures, using resources like the MSDS database and information on lab safety, WHMIS, and hazard symbols. The student uses a table to organize information about Methylene Chloride, Sodium Hydroxide, Acetic Acid, Butane, Potassium Bicarbonate, and Silicon Dioxide, including their hazards and safety measures. This assignment is available on Desklib, where students can find similar solved assignments and study resources.

CH11U03P02 – Rev. Jul, 2018
Inquiry Question
What types of chemicals are found in common products
and materials within your immediate vicinity right now?
What are their formulas, structures, and what do they look
like on the molecular level? Also how hazardous are some
of the chemicals found in household items?
By English: Lance Cpl. Matthew K. Hacker [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons
Your neighbours across the street heard that you are taking chemistry and are all excited! They have a
small 3 year old girl who likes to get into things she’s not supposed to. Can you help them find out what
types of chemicals are in they home and what compounds they contain? They are a very keen family
and they’d like to know as much as possible about the chemicals, including the chemical structure.
When we actually take the time to look, it’s incredible how many common household items around us
contain all sorts of chemical compounds (many you likely have never heard of). In this project you will
spend some time exploring the different types of chemicals found within your house. You might be
surprised by what you’ll find.
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CH11U03P02 – Rev. Jul, 2018
Instructions
Sometimes when studying chemistry it helps to be reminded that chemicals are not simply odd
collections of letters and numbers or strange names. They are also not all dangerous or only found in
a laboratory. Everything around you (even you) is made of chemicals.
Instructions:
First you will need to find 6 different household products broken down as follows:
2 “kitchen” products (edible or non edible)
2 cleaning products (personal hygiene or household)
2 “outdoor” products (found in your garage, shed etc)
(**You should consider Part 2 of this assignment when you are choosing your products)
If you are unsure of your choices, ASK NARESH for feedback.
Some may have their ingredients on the label. If the ingredients are not there you can use the internet.
For each product you pick ONE chemical and provide each of the following: A picture of the product,
the name of the chemical, the formula of the chemical and the structure of the chemical. See an
example below.
PLEASE TAKE ACTUAL PICTURES of items from around your home / work. DO NOT USE pictures
from the internet.
Example:
Part 1:
Product Example: Coca-Cola Chemical Name: Phosphoric Acid
Chemical Structure: H3PO4
Picture: Structure:
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CH11U03P02 – Rev. Jul, 2018
Food products tend to be the easiest to find ingredient lists for but there are many other choices you can
make such as shampoo, soap, bleach and other cleaning products, oil and gas, insulation, paper,
medicines, and many more. Please ensure that no more than 3 of your products are food products.
Fill in the tables on the next 3 pages and submit this document.
You can also attach the image of your product as an additional file in the dropbox.
Name: Chiara Biagi
Product One: Neutrogena body wash Chemical Name: Sodium Hydroxide
Chemical Structure: NaOH
Picture: Structure:
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Product Two: Olaplex Shampoo Chemical Name: Acetic Acid
Chemical Structure: CH3COOH
Picture: Structure:
Product Three: Club Soda
Picture:
Chemical Name: Potassium bicarbonate
Chemical Structure: KHCO3
Structure:
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Product Four: Annies pasta Chemical Name: Silicon dioxide
Chemical Structure: SiO2
Picture: Structure:
Product Five: Paint stripper Chemical Name: methylene chloride
Chemical Structure: CH2Cl2
Picture: Structure:
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CH11U03P02 – Rev. Jul, 2018
Product Six: Butane fuel refill Chemical Name: Butane
Chemical Structure: C4H10
Picture: Structure:
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Part 2: Hazardous Chemicals In Everyday Products
Explore the information found in these two link:
https://www.cbc.ca/news/technology/toxins-in-everyday-products-1.1080797
https://www.cnn.com/2016/07/01/health/everyday-chemicals-we-need-to-reduce-exposure-to/index.html
Design a ranking system to order your chemical examples from above for MOST TOXIC to LEAST TOXIC.
Use a table to organize the information and some resources to consider:
 Information found in Unit 1 (Lab Safety / WHMIS / Hazard Symbols)
 MSDS Database (https://chemicalsafety.com/sds-search/)
 Disposal instructions
 First Aid procedures
All of your information should be organized into a neatly drawn LARGE table (could take up 2 pages if
necessary).
The criteria you used to determine your ranking should be clearly explained.
RANK CHEMICAL HAZARD
SYMBOL
PRIMARY
HAZARD
DISPOSAL
INSTRUCTIONS
FIRST AID
PROCEDURES
1 Methylene Chloride Skull and
Crossbones
(Can cause
death or
toxicity with
short
exposure to
small
amounts)
Highly toxic,
carcinogenic,
irritant,
sensitizer, and
potential
reproductive
and
developmental
toxin.
Do not pour
down the drain
or throw in the
trash. Dispose
of in a
hazardous
waste facility.
In case of
inhalation,
move the
person to
fresh air
immediately.
In case of skin
or eye contact,
remove
contaminated
clothing and
flush the
affected area
with water for
at least 15
minutes. If
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CH11U03P02 – Rev. Jul, 2018
ingested, do
not induce
vomiting, and
seek medical
attention
immediately.
2 Sodium Hydroxide Corrosion
(Corrosive
damage to
metals as well
as skin and
eyes)
Corrosive,
causes severe
skin and eye
burns, and is
highly reactive
Do not pour
down the
drain.
Neutralize with
acid, then
dispose of as
hazardous
waste.
In case of
contact, flush
the affected
area with
water for at
least 15
minutes. If
ingested, do
not induce
vomiting, and
seek medical
attention
immediately.
3 Acetic Acid Corrosion
(Corrosive
damage to
metals as well
as skin and
eyes)
Corrosive,
causes severe
skin and eye
burns
Do not pour
down the
drain.
Neutralize with
soda ash or
sodium
bicarbonate,
then dispose
of as
hazardous
waste.
In case of
contact, flush
the affected
area with
water for at
least 15
minutes. If
ingested, drink
water or milk
and seek
medical
attention
immediately.
4 Butane Flame (for fire
hazards)
Flammable,
explosive, and
asphyxiant in
high
concentrations
Recycle or
dispose of in
accordance
with local
regulations.
In case of
inhalation,
move the
person to
fresh air
immediately.
In case of eye
or skin
contact, flush
the affected
area with
water. If
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ingested, seek
medical
attention.
5 Potassium
Bicarbonate
N/A Recognized as
safe
Dispose of in
accordance
with local
regulations
In case of
contact, flush
the affected
area with
water for at
least 15
minutes. If
ingested, seek
medical
attention if
necessary.
6 Silicon Dioxide N/A Recognized as
safe
Dispose of in
accordance
with local
regulations
In case of
contact, flush
the affected
area with
water for at
least 15
minutes. If
ingested, seek
medical
attention if
necessary.
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