Detecting toxic chemicals in fragrance products

The Washington University study of best-selling laundry products and air fresheners has found these products release dozens of different chemicals. 6 test products release at least one toxic or dangerous chemical in accordance with federal law, but none of these are listed on the product label.

University of Washington professor Anne Steinetmann of environmental engineering and civil engineering said: 'I was interested in this topic initially because people told me that air coolers in public rooms as well as incense. The aroma from laundry products escapes to the outside so they feel tired. At that time I wanted to know what was in those products that caused this phenomenon. '

She analyzed products to identify chemical components. 'I'm surprised by both the amount and the potential toxicity of the detected chemicals' . Chemical substances include acetone - the active ingredient in paint thinner and nail polish remover; limonene - molecule with a citrus-like aroma; and acetaldehyde, chloromethane and 1,4-dioxane.

' Nearly 100 volatile organic substances are released from 6 products, no substance is listed on the sticker. In addition, 5 out of 6 products release one or more of the dangerous carcinogenic air pollutants that are considered by the Environmental Protection Agency to have no safe exposure, ' Steinemann said. know.

Scientists found that the best-selling laundry products and air coolers tested released at least one toxic or dangerous chemical in accordance with federal law, but not chemicals. Any poison listed on the product label.(Photo: iStockphoto / Nicholas Homrich)

Her research was published online on July 23 in Environmental Impact Assessment Review. Steinemann did not reveal the names of the six products she tested. In a larger study with 25 cleaning products or personal care products, air fresheners and laundry products that are currently being reviewed for publication, she found that many firms contain substances. similar chemistry.

Since product manufacturers for users are not required to disclose ingredients, Steinemann analyzed products to know their composition. She studied three popular air fresheners (solid deodorant, spray and oil) along with three products used in laundries (drying sheets, fabric softeners and detergents). of the best-selling brands in the category. She bought household tools at the grocery store and took samples from the companies. In the laboratory, each product is placed in a separate place at room temperature. Ambient air is analyzed with volatile organic substances and small molecules evaporate from the product surface into the air.

The results show that 58 volatile organic compounds have concentrations above 300 micrograms per 1 cubic meter, many of which are in many of the six products mentioned above. For example, air coolers contain more than 20 different volatile organic compounds. Among them, 7 compounds are regulated to be toxic or dangerous under federal law. Product labels do not list any of them. The information on the Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS) is essential for adjusting the chemical composition of the product that lists the compounds listed above as 'aromatherapy mixtures'.

The study does not confirm the link between exposure to chemicals and health. However, two national surveys published by Steinemann and a partner in 2004 and 2005 found that about 2 % of the population reported having dangerous health consequences from air cooling products; and about 10% of people complained about the bad consequences of evaporation laundry products . People with asthma also complain twice.

Manufacturers are not required to list ingredients used in laundry products and air fresheners. Personal care products and cleaning products often contain similar aromatic chemicals. Although the US Food and Drug Administration requires cosmetic companies to list product ingredients, there are no laws that require products of any category to list chemicals fragrant.

Steinemann said: 'Aroma chemicals are of particular interest because people can accidentally approach them or used smells.'

She added: 'Be careful if you buy fragrant products because you really don't know what ingredients they have. I want product labels to be more detailed. At this time I recommend that instead of using air fresheners we should use ventilation. As for laundry products, users should choose products that are not fragrant . ' The European Union recently enacted legislation requiring products to list 26 aromatic chemicals when they have concentrations exceeding standard concentrations in beauty products and detergents. But there is no law in the United States yet.

Steinemann said: 'I hope this research will raise public awareness, while reducing the possibility of exposure to harmful chemicals'.