FOE Briefing: Risky chemicals in the home and how to avoid them

Risky chemicals in the home and how to avoid them

Risky chemicals in the home and how to avoid them

Getting good information about the thousands of chemicals used in everyday products can be difficult. Outrageously, most companies won't say what chemicals they use. Of most concern are bioaccumulative chemicals which can build up inside our bodies, persistent chemicals which are slow to break down in the environment and hormone disrupting chemicals which can interfere with our bodies' hormone systems. For more details on what these terms mean, see our fact sheet Chemicals and your health.

In this fact sheet you'll find a list of chemicals of particular concern and the sorts of places they turn up. You can also read our handy tips on how you can cut down your exposure. In the end, though, it's retailers and the Government who should be protecting us against risky chemicals. See below for how you can help our campaign by demanding that retailers clean up their act. You can also help us fight for new regulations to make chemicals safer - see our enclosed fact sheet, Chemical laws - towards a safer future.

Tips for avoiding risky chemicals

*    Avoid goods made from PVC plastic as these can contain phthalates (though by law, new teething toys should now be free from phthalates). Ask in the shop if the product you are buying contains PVC. If it does, or you are not told, try switching to another brand.

*    Many perfumes and scented products like air fresheners and cosmetics contain artificial musks. Most manufacturers keep ingredients secret, writing “parfum” on the label instead. Why not cut down on scented products? Open a window instead of spraying air freshener.

*    Many household paints give off dangerous fumes as they dry. Water-based paints are not as bad for you, so try to use these where possible. Most paints are now marked to tell you how many VOCs (fumes) they give off - look for those marked 'low' or 'minimal'. The Association for Environment Conscious Building can provide you with information on non-toxic paints. Tel: 01559 370908, web: www.aecb.net

*    Avoid 'anti-bacterial' products, which often contain risky chemicals such as alkyltins (see over).

*    Organic food is produced without using synthetic chemical pesticides. Organic food sales are booming and prices are coming down, so why not explore organic food options? Friends of the Earth's 'Real Food Book' and 'Organic Wine Guide' are available from us (contact details below). The Soil Association can give you information about local organic food delivery schemes. Tel: 0117 929 0661, web: www.soilassociation.org.uk

Fighting for your right to know

Friends of the Earth is fighting for your right to know what chemicals are in the products you buy. We quizzed the larger retailers and manufacturers on chemicals our experts have listed as particularly risky. We assessed each company on what action they are taking to remove these risky chemicals from their products.

Enclosed with this fact sheet is our latest Shoppers' update which will help you choose products from companies that are acting responsibly. If you would like to be kept informed about our product research as our campaign develops, please register for future updates using the tear-off slip on the enclosed covering letter.

Help us make retailers 'come clean'

One company, Boots the chemist, came out particularly badly in our research. They admit they use risky artificial musk perfumes (see below), but they won't tell us which products they are used in, or take action to use safer alternatives. Help us make Boots come clean by filling in the Come Clean postcard enclosed and handing it in at your local branch of Boots next time you go shopping. Please copy any responses that you receive to us (contact details below).

Specific chemicals of concern:

* Alkyltin
Alkyltin compounds are persistent and bioaccumulative chemicals which are also known to be hormone disrupters - they have made female dog whelks grow penises. They are used as anti-bacterial agents and catalysts in the production of some plastics.

* Bisphenol A
Bisphenol A is used in the manufacture of linings for food cans and lids, and is the main ingredient in polycarbonate plastic bottles. It is also a hormone disrupter. Some cans have linings containing bisphenol A, and some don't. There is currently no way consumers can tell.

* Brominated flame retardants
Brominated flame retardants are a group of chemicals which are used in fabrics and plastics to counteract the spread of fires. Most brominated flame retardants are persistent and bioaccumulative, and several have been identified as hormone disrupters. Happily, alternatives are available for the majority of uses. IKEA, for example, has already phased out their use.

* Phthalates
Phthalates are a group of chemicals used in many PVC products (e.g. vinyl floor tiles), glues and inks and as solvents in cosmetics and toiletries. Many of them are hormone disrupters.

* Alkylphenols and their derivatives
Alkylphenol ethoxylates are used as industrial detergents and in some paints. In addition, derivatives of these chemicals are used in some plastics. Alkylphenols are hormone disrupters. There are safer alternatives available for manufacturers to use.

* Artificial musks
Artificial musks are fragrances added to many products like perfumes, cosmetics and laundry detergents. They are persistent and bioaccumulative. Some artificial musks are also hormone disrupters. Friends of the Earth believes that musks are not essential and should be removed from products; we also don't support the use of natural musks, which are extracted from dead musk deer.

For further information on our Safer Chemicals Campaign please contact:

Friends of the Earth
26-28 Underwood Street
London
N1 7JQ
Freephone:     0808 800 1111
Email:     info@foe.co.uk
Web:         www.foe.co.uk/campaigns/safer_chemicals/