What Can You Do?

To Avoid Dangerous Chemicals 

Today, many products used in our homes everyday contain dangerous chemicals. Avoid Dangerous Chemicals. They are dangerous to humans, plants, animals and septic or sewage treatment systems.

The chemicals in many Holding Tank Products are generally designed to suppress or to kill bacterial growth. Masking agents are often added to chemically lock odors in or cover them up.

Read The Labels To Avoid Dangerous Chemicals

If you want to know what is in the Product you are using, READ THE LABELS. If the product contains a Dangerous Chemical it is supposed to be identified on the label.

Label Warnings

Make sure you also read the LABEL WARNINGS. The warning will give you an idea of how to Avoid Dangerous Chemicals.

If you are not sure of what the label or warnings mean, ask the sales person to explain the items on the label to you. If the sales person does not know, ask for the product MSDS.

If they can't answer the question or do not have a copy of the MSDS, leave quickly and look for another more informed retailer. You will not only become more informed, but feel much safer about the products you are using.

Remember, the primary function of First and second Generation Holding Tank Treatments is to preserve wastes by retarding bacteria or killing bacteria and masking odors with stronger deodorizer's.

Avoid Dangerous Chemicals

Read Labels of the RV Holding Tank treatment product you are using and see if it contains any Dangerous Chemicals. Active ingredients in products using Dangerous Chemicals should be avoided.

Threats to Humans and Environment

Some Active Ingredients that the EPA states are Threats to Human and Environmental Health are:

Bronopol

Bronopol whose chemical name is: bromo-nitropropane-diol is a bacterial pesticide

Dowicil

Dowicil whose chemical name is 1-(3-chlorallyl)-3,4,7-triaza-1-azoniaadamantane chloride) is a bacterial pesticide. If used in sewage, the EPA states “Do not discharge effluent containing this product to sewer systems without previously notifying the local sewage treatment plant authority.”

Formaldehyde

Also known as Formalin is a degradate of bronopol. It kills or retards bacterial growth and is recognized by EPA as probable carcinogen. it is also moderately toxic to humans.

Glutaraldehyde

Also known as embalming fluid. This chemical retards bacterial growth and covers sewage odor and is an eye and inhalation irritant.

Paraformaldehyde

Paraformaldehyde (polymerized formaldehyde) is very toxic to humans (see formaldehyde)

Para-dichlorobenzene

Para-dichlorobenzene is a common ingredient in mothball's, urinal cakes, and toilet bowl fresheners. It is also a known carcinogen and drinking water contaminant and is moderately toxic to humans. Para-dichlorobenzene is a carcinogen that causes cancer.

* lethal dose for 150 pound person is between 1 ounce to 1 pint

* lethal dose for 150 pound person is between 1 teaspoon to 1 ounce

Ammonium Compounds

These are bacterial pesticides that kill bacteria. They are often found in sprays for surface bacteria.

PPCP's Are Dangerous

These bio active chemicals have been around for decades and their effect on the environment is now recognized as an important area of research.

PPCP's include:

  * Prescription and over-the counter therapeutic drugs
  * Veterinary drugs
  * Fragrances
  * Cosmetics
  * Sun-screen products
  * Diagnostic agents
  * Nutraceuticals (e.g., vitamins)

Some Pharmaceuticals and Personal Care Products (PPCP's) are easily broken down and processed by the human body or degrade quickly in the environment.

Other PPCP's are not easily broken down and processed. Because most PPCP's dissolve easily, don't evaporate at normal temperatures or pressure, they make their way into the soil, streams, waterways and aquatic environments.

These are the drugs you hear about that generally flow right through most private or public waste water treatment systems.

Chemical Impact On Waste Water Treatment Systems

The restoration of failed Waste Water Treatment Systems ultimately costs you money. The costs to renovate a system will eventually be added to your taxes or water fees. The restoration of contaminated groundwater can be extremely time consuming and costly.

Long Term Chemical Effects

After decades of use, chemicals, pharmaceutical drugs, and other dangerous substances are commonly found in streams and ground water.

Some pesticides have not been used for 20 to 30 years, but they are still being detected in fish and streambed sediment at levels that pose a potential risk to human health, aquatic life, and fish-eating wildlife.