[Pharmwaste] Study finds worrisome chemicals in wide range of consumer products

Tue Mar 13 16:37:49 EDT 2012

http://news.consumerreports.org/health/2012/03/study-finds-worrisome-che
micals-in-wide-range-of-consumer-products.html

Study finds worrisome chemicals in wide range of consumer products 

Mar 9, 2012 5:00 PM

A new study has found potentially harmful chemicals, such as
asthma-related compounds and endocrine disruptors, in common consumer
products including cosmetics, household cleaners, and personal care
products, and many of the detected chemicals are not listed on product
labels. 

The study, which tested 213 commercial products representing 50 product
types, was conducted by the Silent Spring Institute and published this
week in the journal Environmental Health Perspectives. 

The tested products included diapers, cat litter, dryer sheets, hand
soap, laundry detergent, lipstick, perfume, shampoo, shaving cream, and
sunscreen, among many others. 

For testing purposes, many of conventional products were combined into
composite samples, therefore results cannot be linked to a specific
product, while "alternative products" in the same categories but labeled
"natural," "green," or "non-toxic," and the like-all unverified claims
with little to no meaning-were tested individually.

The study authors detected 55 compounds, indicating a wide range of
exposures from common products, both conventional and alternative.
According to the study, "Vinyl products contained >10 percent DEHP, a
phthalate used to make PVC pliable," which could be a source of DEHP in
homes. In other products, the highest concentrations of the tested
compounds were in fragranced products such as perfume, air fresheners,
and dryer sheets, as well as in sunscreens. Alternative products that
didn't contain the better-known endocrine-disrupting phthalates (e.g.
DEHP, DEP, BBP) contained other other lesser-known phthalates that are
as strong or weaker endocrine-disrupting activity. 

The Silent Spring Institute states that the study represents only a
fraction of consumer products and a small number of the chemicals used
in products, and that since manufacturers are continually reformulating
products and products, tests results may not apply to products currently
for sale.

Last year, the Consumer Product Safety Commission voted to require
manufacturers to perform third-party testing for phthalates
<http://news.consumerreports.org/safety/2011/08/cpsc-phthalate-tests-now
-required-for-kids-toys-and-products.html>  in children's toys and care
articles, to make sure they meet phthalate limits set by the federal
government. Around that same time we also reported on an authors
concerns about pervasive plastics and children's development
<http://news.consumerreports.org/baby/2011/05/author-raises-concerns-abo
ut-pervasive-plastics-and-childrens-development.html> . Back in 2008,
the CPSC banned three types of phthalates (DEHP, DEP, and BBP) in
children's bedding, toys and care articles and, in addition, banned
three other phthalates (DINP, DIDP, DnOP) in teethers, toys and care
articles that can be put into a baby's mouth. For more on phthalates and
when the ban became law in 2009 see New ban on plastic chemical
<http://www.consumerreports.org/cro/magazine-archive/march-2009/recalls-
and-safety-alerts/new-ban-on-plastic-chemical/recalls-new-ban-on-plastic
-chemical.htm> . The EU banned these same phthalates
<http://europa.eu/rapid/pressReleasesAction.do?reference=IP/05/838>
back in 2005.

We also found that consumers are being exposed to worrisome
concentrations of arsenic in foods and beverages in our Consumer
Reports' investigation
<http://www.consumerreports.org/cro/consumer-reports-magazine-january-20
12/arsenic-in-your-juice/index.htm> , which found elevated levels of
arsenic in apple and grape juices. 

Endocrine Disruptors and Asthma-Associated Chemicals in Consumer
Products
<http://ehp03.niehs.nih.gov/article/fetchArticle.action;jsessionid=C9411
292BD60FBE4410ABA8BFB2FA550?articleURI=info%3Adoi%2F10.1289%2Fehp.110405
2>  [Environmental Health Perspectives]
Table: Consumer products tested for endocrine disruptors and
asthma-associated chemicals
<http://www.silentspring.org/table-consumer-products-tested-endocrine-di
sruptors-and-asthma-associated-chemicals>  [Silent Spring Institute]

Deborah L. DeBiasi
Email:   Deborah.DeBiasi at deq.virginia.gov
WEB site address:  www.deq.virginia.gov <http://www.deq.virginia.gov/> 
Virginia Department of Environmental Quality
Office of Water Permit and Compliance Assistance Programs
Industrial Pretreatment/Whole Effluent Toxicity (WET) Program
PPCPs, EDCs, and Microconstituents 
http://www.deq.virginia.gov/vpdes/Microconstituents.html

4th National DEA Drug Collection 04/28/12, 10-2 pm 
Go to www.dea.gov for site locations

Mail:          P.O. Box 1105, Richmond, VA  23218
Location:  629 E. Main Street, Richmond, VA  23219
PH:         804-698-4028      FAX:      804-698-4032

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