Survey of Chemical Substances in Consumer Products, 52. – Mapping and health assessment of chemical substances in shoe care products

Mapping and health assessment of chemical substances in shoe care products

Summary

The purpose of the project has been to obtain an overview of which problematic ingredients are found in shoe care products on the Danish market as well as to identify any health risks when using the products and on this basis to establish guidelines for safe use of the products.

The mapping was based on investigative work in the retail trade including supermarkets, shoe stores, sporting goods stores and heel bars. In addition, suppliers and manufacturers have been contacted for further information on the products through safety data sheets, technical data sheets and sold amounts in 2003.

9 suppliers of shoe care products for the Danish market were identified. In addition, a number of sale products were found for which it was not possible to identify the supplier.

The following brands were found on the market: Woly, TiT, Coxy, Gold Quality, Collonil, Punch, Boston. KIWI, Nikwax as well as other smaller brands, often sale products purchased outside Europe.

A total of 189 products have been identified of which some are found in several colour nuances. The products can be divided into different product categories. The identified products are distributed as follows: 22 % impregnation products, 22 % shoe polish, 17 % care agents, 11 % cleaning agents, 7 % colours, 6 % liquid shoe polish, 5 % fresheners, 4 % other speciality products for shoes, 3 % leather grease, oil and wax, 3 % odour removers.

The products are marketed as paste (27 %), liquids (33 %) and aerosols (35 %). Shoe polish is most often a paste, the care agents are usually liquid and the impregnation products are usually aerosol products. The remaining 5% of the products are marketed as foam in the shape of a sponge impregnated with a liquid or as a powder.

The most common ingredients are: 2-propanol (46 products), propane (34 products), butane (34 products), naphtha (raw oil), hydrogen treated heavy (26 products), naphtha (raw oil), hydrogen treated light (18 products), heptane/heptane-mixture (19 products), white spirit (free from aromatics) (19 products)

Based on the mapping of the ingredients it can be concluded that in all product categories except for leather grease, oil and wax, products can be found that contain organic solvents.

Only 4 of the 9 suppliers agreed to inform us of sales numbers for 2003. The number from the 4 suppliers show that approximately 50 tonnes of shoe care products were sold, distributed on 29.5 t (58%) impregnation products for shoes, 20.5 t (41%) shoe polishes and 0.5 t (1%) other shoe care agents. The real numbers are assumed to be higher, but the distribution on product types is expected to be accurate.

13 products were selected for various analyses.

No preservatives or azo-dyes were found in concentrations above the respective detection limit in any of the analysed samples.

Very small amounts of PFOS-compounds were found (1.1 and 0.36 mg/kg, respectively) in 1 of 4 of the analysed samples. The found amounts of PFOS-compounds are probably present as impurities in a flourcarbonpolymer that has been added due to its water and dirt repelling properties.

In addition, very small amounts of octamethylcyclotetrasiloxan (from 0.79 to 3.4 mg/kg) were found in 5 of the 8 analysed products. 3 of the 5 products are known to contain silicone. It is assumed that octamethylcyclotetrasiloxan is found as an impurity in the silicone oil which is added to the product due to its impregnating and tending properties.

X-ray screening of 3 products found no metals, including heavy metals, in 2 of the products in concentrations above 1000 mg/kg (corresponding to 0.1 %) and for a majority of the substances, the content was below the detection limit (either10 or 20 mg/kg).

In the third sample, a content of silicium and titane was found of between 10,000 and 100,000 mg/kg corresponding to 1 to 10 %. These elements probably come from silicium dioxide (SiO₂) and titane dioxide (TiO₂) as these substances are used as a filler and as a colour pigment, respectively. In addition, the sample contained Na, Al, S, Cl, Mn and Ba in concentrations between 1,000 and 10,000 mg/kg corresponding to 0.1-1 %. These elements are assumed to come from colour pigments as the product in question is a coloured shoe polish.

Many of the proudcts contain organic solvents aimed at dissolving dirt on the footwear or to dissolve the tending oils and waxes in the products.

The screening for solvents of 6 products found mineral turpentine in 3 of the products (all shoe polishes) in concentrations of 72, 88 and 85 %, respectively. In one impregnation product, 93 % isopropanol was found and in a cleaning agent, 30 % ethanol was found. In the final sample, only small amounts of methylethylketon (0.02 %) and xylene (0.004 %) were found which were probably impurities in the product.

Of the 3 samples selected for specific analysis for the solvent C₉-C₁₂ isoalkanes, 265,000 mg/kg was found corresponding to 26.5 % in one of the samples.

2 products were analysed for content of chlorparaffins but these substances could not be established in the products.

Based on a comparison of the occurrence (how many products the substance is found in), the amount of the substances in the products and the health qualities of the products, the substances: turpentine oil, mineral turpentine, C_9-12 isoalkanes, heptane and propane-3-ol were selected for exposure evaluation.

The exposure scenarios show that there is a potential health risk in the form of irritation of the respiratory tract and effects on the nervous system when using products that contain large amounts of mineral turpentine.

Furthermore, it cannot be ruled out that there may be effects in the form of irritation to the respiratory tract and effects on the central nervous system when using products that contain other solvents.

When using shoe care products in the home, you should therefore:

Shine or impregnate outdoors whenever possible. When this is not possible due to the weather you should instead ensure that there is adequate ventilation in the room by opening a window and/or a door.
Make sure to spray away from the body if the product is a spray.
Avoid getting shoe polish on the hands, possilbly by using disposable gloves.