If you are trying to save the planet by going “organic”, you should stop wasting the extra money on “green” consumer products because they also harm human health and air quality. According to a new study, these products contain ingredients that are not disclosed to the public and are similar to those from regular products when it comes to emissions of carcinogenic pollutants.
Dr. Anne Steinemann from the University of Melbourne looked at 37 different products, such as air fresheners, cleaning products, laundry supplies, and personal care products, including those with certifications and claims of “green”, “organic”, “all-natural” or “non-toxic”. After comparing volatile organic compounds, the findings revealed that emissions of hazardous air pollutants from “green” fragranced products were not significantly different from regular fragranced products.
Actually, over 550 volatile ingredients were emitted from these products, but fewer than three percent were disclosed on any product label or material safety data sheet. This happens because consumer products sold in Australia, the US and around the world are not required to list all ingredients, or any ingredients in a chemical mixture called “fragrance”.
“The paradox is that most of our exposure to air pollutants occurs indoors and a primary source is consumer products. But the public lacks full and accurate information on the ingredients in these products. Our indoor air environments are essentially unregulated and unmonitored,” Professor Steinemann said.
She explained that the most common chemicals in fragranced products were terpenes, which react with ozone in the air to generate a range of additional pollutants, such as formaldehyde and ultrafine particles.
“Given the lack of information, consumers may choose products with claims such as green, natural, or organic, but those claims are largely untested,” Professor Steinemann said.
The study also found that the personal care products and cosmetics need to list ingredients, but the general term “fragrance” or “perfume” may be used instead of listing the individual ingredients in the fragrance.