Many consumers patronize products that are being marketed as green and natural with the thought that they are helping the environment with their conscientious purchase. A new study, however, has found that many of the common "green" household products have dangerous chemicals that pose threats not just to the environment but also to human health.
In a new study published in the journal Air Quality, Atmosphere & Health, Anne Steinemann from department of engineering of Melbourne University, tested 37 everyday cleaning products, which included laundry powders, air fresheners, and skin care products with volatile organic compounds, or VOCs, in their ingredients.
Tests have showed that the products included a total of 156 different VOCs albeit they are not disclosed in the packaging. Of these, 42 are classified under U.S. laws as toxic or hazardous.
Steinemann likewise pointed out that some products that were labeled natural or green contained as many of these harmful ingredients as the products that did not have the labels. The researcher said that seven of these green products had the same amount of the volatile compounds as those that are found in regular products.
Steinemann said that consumers need full and accurate information on the products that they consume. However, makers of household products are not required by Australian law to list all of the ingredients.
Although makers of personal care products such as cosmetics are required to list all of the ingredients, the ingredients in a "fragrance," which can be a combination of different chemicals ranging from a few dozen to up to several hundreds, do not have to be disclosed.
One of the ingredients found in fragranced products is terpenes, which is known to create other pollutants such as formaldehyde, an organic compound associated with cancer, and ultrafine particles. Formaldehyde is considered safe in low doses but exposure to high levels are linked with allergies, breathing difficulties and irritation.
The researcher did not release the names of the products that she has tested in her study but she hinted that they were commonly used in hospitals, hotels, schools and homes. She likewise said that the consumers who are buying products labeled as natural may be misled or they may be buying untested products.
"The public lacks full and accurate information on the ingredients in these products. Our indoor air environments are essentially unregulated and unmonitored," Steinemann said.
Photo: Akira Ohgaki | Flickr
