May 4, 2023 – Dozens of on a regular basis consumer products contain dangerous chemicals, in response to a recent survey.
The chemicals were present in greater than 100 products commonly utilized in homes and workplaces, in response to the study, which published within the Journal Environmental science and technology. They are related to cancer in addition to reproductive and developmental disorders.
These products include nail polish, shampoo, lotion, soap, all-purpose cleaner, laundry detergent and dishwashing detergent. “The largest group of products were those that could be used in the workplace, such as in factories or on construction sites, and included adhesives, degreasers, lubricants and sealants,” The New York Times reported.
The researchers cross-checked two databases from the state of California. The first was a listing of products that contained volatile organic compounds (VOCs), chemicals that turn into gas and simply develop into airborne. The second list contained chemicals that cause cancer or reproductive and developmental disorders, identified by Proposition 65, California's Safe Drinking Water and Toxic Enforcement Act.
Researchers found 33 VOCs on the Proposition 65 list in 105 product categories.
Some products contain multiple chemicals.
“These volatile organic compounds are in almost every product we use: consumer goods, personal care products, cosmetics,” Kurunthachalam Kannan, a research professor at NYU Langone Health who was not involved within the study, tells the New York Times.
According to the researchers, 11 chemicals and 30 product categories represent “immediate targets for regulatory restrictions or design by manufacturers.”
Consumers can limit their exposure by utilizing fragrance-free products and ensuring fresh air.