Survey of chemical substances in consumer products no. 69, 2006

Survey of liquid hand soaps, including health and environmental assessments

Abstract
A selection of hand soaps was purchased and the content of allergene sunstances were identified 15 products were chemical analysed for among others 26 particularly sensitizing fragrance chemicals. The results showed discrepancies between the lists of ingredients and the actual content in some of the products. A health evaluation of 6 fragrances and an environmental evaluation of 8 other substances were conducted. The health evaluations showed a very low daily exposure and a fully acceptable safety margin (MoS) for fragrance chemicals for both adults and children alike. However, because of the sensitizing risk of perfumery materials, it may be concluded that particularly sensitive persons might have a risk of developing allergy when using products.The environmental evaluations showed that the use of liquid hand soaps may cause harmful effects in the aquatic environment by discharge of wastewater to areas characterised by a limited exchange of water, such as the inner part of an inlet. There is no predicted risk of effects in open waters with a regular water flow.

Abstract in Danish

Only available online.

Read the publication in HTML: Contents
The whole publication in HTML [248 kB]
Publication description (readable colophon)

Read the publication in PDF-format [928 kB]
In order to read PDF-files you must have Adobe Acrobat Reader installed on your computer.

Citing from the publication is allowed if the source is stated

The Danish Environmental Protection Agency will, when opportunity offers, publish reports and contributions relating to environmental research and development projects financed via the Danish EPA.

Please note that publication does not signify that the contents of the reports necessarily reflect the views of the Danish EPA.

The reports are, however, published because the Danish EPA finds that the studies represent a valuable contribution to the debate on environmental policy in Denmark.

| Contents | | Top |