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.
See our Shopper's
guide 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.
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 emailing
their customer support.
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.
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