HIDDEN HAZARDS FOUND IN GREEN PRODUCTS
A University of
Melbourne researcher has found that common consumer products, including those
marketed as 'green', 'all-natural', 'non-toxic', and 'organic', emit a range of
compounds that could harm human health and air quality. But most of these
ingredients are not disclosed to the public.
Dr. Anne Steinemann,
Professor of Civil Engineering, and the Chair of Sustainable Cities, from the
Department of Infrastructure Engineering, Melbourne School of Engineering, is a
world expert on environmental pollutants, air quality, and health effects.
Professor Steinemann
investigated and compared volatile organic compounds (VOCs) emitted from 37
different products, such as air fresheners, cleaning products, laundry
supplies, and personal care products, including those with certifications and
claims of 'green' and 'organic'. Both fragranced and fragrance-free products
were tested.
The study, published
in the journal Air Quality, Atmosphere & Health found 156
different VOCs emitted from the 37 products, with an average of 15 VOCs per
product. Of these 156 VOCs, 42 are classified as toxic or hazardous under US
federal laws, and each product emitted at least one of these chemicals.
Findings revealed that
emissions of carcinogenic hazardous air pollutants from 'green' fragranced
products were not significantly different from regular fragranced products.
In total, over 550
volatile ingredients were emitted from these products, but fewer than three
percent were disclosed on any product label or material safety data sheet
(MSDS).
"The paradox is
that most of our exposure to air pollutants occurs indoors and a primary source
is consumer products. But the public lacks full and accurate information on the
ingredients in these products. Our indoor air environments are essentially
unregulated and unmonitored," Professor Steinemann said.
The most common
chemicals in fragranced products were terpenes, which were not in
fragrance-free versions. Terpenes readily react with ozone in the air to
generate a range of additional pollutants, such as formaldehyde and ultrafine
particles.
At this time, consumer
products sold in Australia, the US and around the world are not required to
list all ingredients, or any ingredients in a chemical mixture called
'fragrance'.
"Given the lack
of information, consumers may choose products with claims such as green,
natural, or organic, but those claims are largely untested," Professor
Steinemann said.
Professor Steinemann
will continue to investigate how and why we're exposed to pollutants and ways
to reduce risks and improve health.
Additional
Information:
Products selected are commonly used in
Australia, the US, and other countries in a range of environments (e.g., homes,
schools, hospitals, workplaces, hotels, restaurants, stores, residential
buildings, parks, child care and aged care facilities, gyms, homeless shelters,
government buildings, airports, planes and public transport).
Gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS)
headspace analysis was used to identify VOCs emitted from 37 products,
representing air fresheners and deodorizers (sprays, gels, solids, oils, and
disks), laundry products (detergents, dryer sheets, and fabric softeners),
cleaning supplies (all-purpose cleaners, window and surface cleaners,
disinfectants, and dishwashing liquids), and personal care products (soaps,
hand sanitisers, sunscreens, lotions, baby lotions, deodorants, shampoos, and
baby shampoo).
Ingredients in consumer products and in
fragrance formulations, are exempt from full disclosure to the public.
For laundry products, cleaning supplies, and
air fresheners, labels do not need to list all ingredients, or the presence of
a fragrance in the product.
For personal care products and cosmetics,
labels need to list ingredients, except the general term "fragrance"
or "parfum" may be used instead of listing the individual ingredients
in the fragrance.
For all products, material safety data sheets
do not need to list all ingredients.
Fragrance ingredients are exempt from full
disclosure in any product, not only in Australia and the US but also
internationally.
Comments
Post a Comment