Household chemicals end up as pollutants if not disposed of correctly. What shouldn’t go down the drain?

From the publisher

From bleaches, disinfectants and detergents to pest sprays and paints, many kitchen cabinets and laundry shelves are stacked with bottles and tins of household chemicals. Chemicals are ubiquitous in modern life. They are readily available from supermarkets or hardware stores, but can become environmental pollutants if incorrectly stored, used and disposed of. Prof Stuart Khan, an expert in water quality and treatment at University of Sydney, says there are “thousands of different chemicals” that flow down the shower, sink or toilet and end up in the sewerage system. Wastewater contains low concentrations of all sorts, he says, including herbicides and pesticides used to grow food, detergents and chlorine bleaches used…

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