Question: Andrew, I asked you earlier what day to day substances have you found to be harmful. and you answered but you also said that they had to be used in the wrong way to be harmful, what ways could they be used harmfully and what is the most dangerous household substance you know to exist?

Andrew Maynard answered on 15 Jun 2010:

Hi spudlington1,

That’s a tricky one – I’m not sure what the *most* dangerous household substance is. But here are some that could be dangerous if you aren’t careful:

1. Petrol. It’s poisonous if you drink it or inhale it. it’s extremely flammable, and can be explosive. It can cause damage if it gets on your skin. It’s really quite nasty. But only if you drink it, inhale it, get it on your skin or set light to it!

2. Bleach. It burns if you get it on your skin is poisonous if you drink it, and can release poisonous fumes if you mix it with other chemicals (I’m not going to tell you which ones!). But if you use gloves when using it and don’t use it in a confined space, it’s reasonably safe.

3. Paracetamol. Paracetamol (the technical name for the drug is acetaminophen) is used as a pain killer – and it’s OK to take in small quantities. But take too much of it, and it destroys your liver – not so nice! People take overdoses of Paracetamol every year – either by accident or intentionally – making it very dangerous if not used correctly.

Of course, there are plenty of other nasty things you can find around the house. I remember reading about someone who poisoned their boss years ago by putting Tippex in his coffee – she thought it would be a laugh!