Survey of Chemical Substances in Consumer Products, No. 82 2007 – Survey and health assessment of selected respiratory sensitizers in consumer products

Survey and health assessment of selected respiratory sensitizers in consumer products

5 Conclusion

The purpose of the present project was to

Make an inventory of consumer product types that may contain any of the five R42-substances.
Examine, if consumers actually are exposed to the substances when using such products.
Assess, if the exposure is large enough to cause health effects in the consumers

All in all, 19 products were sampled for inclusion in an emission analysis. The number of sampled products within each group is given in parenthesis.

The following consumer products may contain phthalic anhydride derivatives:

Nail Lacquer (6)
Two-component epoxy adhesive (2)

The following consumer products may contain glutaraldehyde:

Cosmetic products (mouth washes and creams) (0)
Disinfectants (0)
Film developers for consumers (0)
Paper handkerchiefs, kitchen roll and toilet paper (2)

The following consumer products may contain monomeric MDI:

PU-foam articles, such as mattresses (2)
One component spray foam or adhesive (2)
Boat and car repair kits (1)
Two-component adhesives and putties (0)
Liquid roof coating (0)
Hot melt adhesives (0)
Floor adhesives (1)
Polyurethane materials in clothing (1)
Spray hair fixatives and conditioner (2)

When searching the Danish market it was not possible to obtain cosmetic products, disinfectants, nor film developers with glutaraldehyde. Neither was it possible to obtain two-component adhesives and putties, liquid roof coating, nor hot melt adhesives with a content of monomeric MDI.

All purchases were carried out while pretending to be ordinary consumers, not professionals. Although some of the outlets visited are also used by professionals, we were not offered products intended only for professionals. This indicates a fairly good separation between the markets for consumers and the markets for professionals, at least pertaining to these kinds of products.

No emissions of the respiratory sensitizers from the 19 products obtained could be detected by chemical analysis. Hence, no risk of sensitisation to phthalic anhydride derivatives, MDI or glutaraldehyde can be attributed to any of the products analyzed.

Phthalic anhydride derivatives

For the phthalic anhydride derivatives the risk of respiratory sensitization from consumer products must be considered very low.

There is a slight possibility that people, who have acquired respiratory allergy to phthalic anhydride derivatives from other sources, e.g. occupationally, may react to very minute amounts in consumer products, such as nail lacquers and epoxy adhesives. However, in the literature no information was found to confirm such reactions toward consumer products.

MDI

The products that were tested for emission of MDI were: car window adhesive, mattresses, one component adhesives and sealers, polyurethane rain-coat, floor adhesive, and a hair conditioner.

No emission of MDI could be detected under the testing conditions.

We have not examined exposure scenarios involving the grinding or thermal removal of MDI containing material. Such secondary exposure is known to be a hazard in the occupational setting, but only normal, predictable consumer exposure has been the scope of this project.

With limits of detection varying from 0.3-17 μg/m³ the exposure is well below the occupational exposure limit of 50 μg/m³. Hence, the risk of inducing hypersensitivity during the use of the available consumer products made with MDI seems very low.

It is important that consumers follow instructions to avoid skin contamination, since dermal sensitization can lead to general sensitization, thus causing risk of allergic asthma upon later exposure by inhalation.

In the case of already acquired hypersensitivity towards MDI or other isocyanates, occupationally or accidentally, even small exposures by inhalation from consumer products like window sealing foams, can cause an outbreak of allergic asthma (10).

Glutaraldehyde

The products that were tested for glutaraldehyde emission was toilet paper and kitchen roll made of recycled paper. No other consumer products with a probable emission of glutaraldehyde could be obtained.

No emission of glutaraldehyde could be detected in the analyzed products.

The risk of respiratory sensitization to glutaraldehyde via consumer products must be considered very low, both because of low availability, non-detectable emissions, and absence of cases in the literature.