Chemical homes

Aus report on household dust reveals harmful chemicals leach from everyday products assumed innocuous. Young children are particularly at risk, yet the chemicals are legal. The industry

seems to be fobbing off these chemicals on people only for profits, alleges the report released recently. Called _Sick of Dust: Chemicals in Common Products -- A Needless Health Risk in Our

Homes_ , the report is based on a study conducted by Clean Production Action (cpa), a us -based non-governmental organisation (ngo) along with other ngos. Dust samples were collected from

vacuum bags in 10 homes in each of the seven states studied -- California, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, New York, Oregon and Washington. One composite sample was made from the 10 samples

collected for each state. Each sample was then tested for the presence of 44 toxic chemicals belonging to six categories and found in common household products such as detergents, cosmetics

and toys (see table: _Living with poisons_). The results showed that 35 of the 44 chemicals were present in at least one sample. "The study is a reliable evaluation of what is in the

dust. But it does not tell us how much of these materials are inhaled," comments Peter Orris, director, Occupational Health Services Institute, University of Illinois at Chicago, usa.

However, even small amounts of these chemicals inhaled or ingested may prove harmful. Lack of rules The adverse effects of several commonly used chemicals have been documented decades ago.

For example, it was known as early as 1975 that fumes from hot pans coated with Teflon can kill pet birds. Why are these toxic substances still in circulation? Because of lack of

legislation, says the report. As per the us Toxics Substance Control Act, the chemicals that have been marketed prior to 1979 are considered safe until proven otherwise. But these make up

more than 99 per cent of the commonly used chemicals. "Manufacturers and retailers need to stop using toxic chemicals which are building up in our bodies and switch to safer

alternatives which are readily available," says Beverley Thorpe, international director of cpa. Safer alternatives are available for most, if not all, chemicals. But the Consumer

Product Safety Commission that regulates products "has a dismal record of considering chronic long-term health effects resulting from exposure to chemicals from products. They are more

focused on injuries and acute poisonings," says Ted Schettler, science director of the us -based ngo, Science and Environmental Health Network. cpa suggests an overhaul of regulations

on chemicals using Europe as an example. Europe's new draft chemicals management programme, entitled Registration, Evaluation and Authorisation of Chemicals (reach), is set for

enactment in a year or two. reach would require industry to publicly provide basic health, safety and environmental impact data on all chemicals, both new and old. Industry also will partly

pay for reach through registration fees. According to the European Commission, reach would save an estimated 50 billion Euros in health benefits over the next 30 years and prevent as many as

4,300 cases of cancer. However, instead of endorsing reach, the American Chemistry Council (acc) and the Bush Administration are lobbying against it, alleges the report. Because of reach,

acc predicts billions of dollars will be lost in us sales of these chemicals to Europe . O bviously, for the us government, monetary profits seem to be a bigger concern than health. Living

with poisons Chemicals (and their per cent contribution) found in house-dust samples Alkylphenols (5.6 per cent) Detergents, hair colours, paints, agricultural chemicals, stain removers, 

adhesives, all-purpose cleaners Can affect sperm production in mammals; may disrupt the  human immune system Organotins (0.13 per cent) Additive in vinyl products, wood coatings, diaper

covers, cellophane wraps, dishwashing sponges Hormone disruptors. Animal studies show exposure affects brain development Perfluorinated Organics (0.10 per cent) Used to make Teflon, water

and stain resistant materials for nonstick frying pan s, utensils, stove hoods,  stain-proof carpets, shampoos Known to damage organ function and sexual development in lab animals;

potentially carcinogenic Pesticides (2.6 per cent) Applied to textiles, added to soap and household cleaning products, paints, wallpapers, insecticides Associated with cancer, reproductive

and birth defects; several are neurotoxic Phthalates (89.6 per cent) Used in vinyl products such as shower curtains, raincoats, toys, personal  care products (perfume, nail polish) enteric

coatings of some medications Disrupt reproductive systems in animal studies; can contribute to male infertility; linked to respiratory problems in children Polybrominated Diphenyl Ethers

(1.9 per cent) Applied to textiles, plastics and  electrical goods such as TVs to slow down the spread of fire Mimic thyroid hormones; can retard the nervous and behavioural systems in

animals SOURCE: Sick of Dust: Chemicals in Common Products — A Needless Risk in Our Homes, Clean Production Action, New