Have you ever wondered what is in the products you buy? You can go online to the Household Products Database at www.household products.nlm.nih.gov and learn more about many of the products you use in and around your home.

The United States National Institutes of Health National Library of Medicine Specialized Informational Services created a database filled with useful information on a multitude of household products, including cleaners, home maintenance products and pesticides. Users have access to comprehensive fact sheets which include information on the manufacturer, similar products, how to dispose of it and health effects.

Users can search for information in the following ways:

.. Type of Product. For example, if you are looking for a product to remove bathroom mildew, the database will list several products that do just that. The information provided includes manufacturer, any known health effects, how to dispose of it and the primary ingredients.

.. By Ingredient. You could also look for a product with a specific ingredient. For example, if you wanted a cleaner with vinegar, the database provides a list.

.. By Health Effect. You can also search by symptoms, such as headache and eye irritation. The database provides a list of products that could produce that health effect.