Publication - 19 October, 2003
That hazardous chemicals are present in our environment is confirmed by several studies and is becoming increasingly well documented. However, only few people are aware that a number of these chemicals are used as additives in consumer goods we buy and use in our home everyday. In this study 33 consumer products, including body care products, toys, textiles, deodorizers and cleaners, have been tested for the presence of bisphenol-A, alkylphenols and ethoxylates, phthalates, musks and organotin compounds. Additionally a selected number of samples were analysed to identify other than the target compounds.
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Executive summary: The results show that most polymer products, or products containing polymer parts, do contain nonylphenol and nonylphenol ethoxylates, phthalates or both. Especially the pyjamas with polymer prints contain high concentrations of DINP and DIDP up to 54,000 mg/kg. The concentrations of nonylphenol and nonylphenol ethoxylates in this samples averaged respectively 10 mg/kg and 1,000 mg/kg. A soft plastic baby toy contained, apart from nonylphenol and a number of target phthalates, high amounts of the plasticizer di-isooctyl adipate. Bisphenol-A was quantified in a polycarbonate baby bottle at 14 mg/kg while it was not found in canned food samples. Perfumes also contained phthalates, especially di-ethyl phthalate, and musks, mainly the polycyclic musk HHCB and in one case the nitro-musk MK. With one exception only low amounts of phthalates and musks were found in shampoos, deodorizers and cleaning products. Organotin compounds were quantified in one pyjama sample while others showed traces of these compounds.
Num. pages: 28