5 Health and environmental assessment of ingredients

Survey of chemical substances in cleaning products for ovens, cookers and ceramic cooktops

5.1 Health and environmental assessment of ingredients identified by the survey

5.1 Health and environmental assessment of ingredients identified by the survey

Below, the various types of ingredients identified by the survey were screened with respect to their health and environmental hazard. The screening was made on e.g. the basis of the general rules for labelling and classification of chemical substances and the Danish EPA’s guidance on self classification of dangerous substances /3, 9/. When mentioned below that a substance is not classified in the List of dangerous substances (LODS), it is important to realize that it cannot necessarily be concluded that the substance cannot have dangerous properties. The reason for the lack of classification may be that the substance has not been evaluated by the authorities.

5.1.1 Surface-active substances (surfactants)

At least 10 of the 21 products contained non-ionic surfactants and at least 12 products contained anionic surfactants. One product contained amphoteric surfactants. The surfactants form part of the products in concentrations of 1 - 5 %. However, fatty acid soaps (anionic surfactants) occurred in concentrations of 10 - 20 % in a single product. The non-ionic surfactants mainly consist of alcohol ethoxylates with varying numbers of ethoxylate(EO)groups. The anionic surfactants consist of secondary alkane sulfate and fatty acid soaps.

Surfactants are irritating to skin and eyes, and often they have a degreasing effect on the skin. In general, the anionic surfactants are the most irritating; the amphoteric surfactants are less irritating. According to CESIO (Comité Européen des agents de Surface et de leurs Intermédiaires Organiques), it is recommended to classify alcohol ethoxylates as Harmful (Xn) with R22 (Harmful if swallowed) (5 -15 EO) and Irritant (Xi) with R41 (Risk of serious damage to eyes). The potential for irritation depends on the degree of ethoxylation and the length of the alkyl chain. It is recommended to classify the anionic surfactants as Irritant (Xi) with R38-41 (Irritating to skin - Risk of serious damage to eyes) and to classify the amphoteric surfactants as Irritant (Xi) with R36 (Irritating to eyes).

As regards the environmental properties, all of the identified surfactants are considered readily degradable. Only a very small part is thus expected to be discharged into the environment with treated waste water after retention in a waste water treatment plant. Several of the non-ionic surfactants have high acute toxicity. For alcohol ethoxylates, the lowest EC/LC₅₀ values are < 1 mg/L in standard tests with algae, crustaceans and fish /10/. The identified surfactants are not considered bioaccumable. The toxicity varies with the chemical structure of the substances, but most of the alcohol ethoxylates will be classified as Hazardous to the environment (N) with R50 (Very toxic to aquatic organisms). Generally, the anionic surfactants are less toxic than the non-ionic surfactants (EC/LC₅₀ > 1 mg L^-1) /10/, and they are not considered environmentally hazardous as the substances are readily biodegradable. No data are available on the toxicity of the amphoteric surfactant to aquatic organisms.

Surfactants form part of the vast majority of the cleaning products. The surfactants identified in cleaning products for ovens, cookers and ceramic cooktops do not differ from those used in other types of cleaning products.

5.1.2 Solvents

The following solvents are identified in the products:

ethanol/isopropanol
ethyl acetate
dipropylene glycol monomethyl ether
tripropylene glycolmonomethyl ether
N-methyl-2-pyrrolidone
butyl diglycol
petroleum
alkylated furandione
organic acids (including acetic acid, citric acid)
naphtha (petroleum), hydrodesulfurized, heavy (white spirit, type 1)
naphtha (petroleum), hydrotreated, heavy (white spirit, type 3)

In general, organic solvents have irritating and degreasing effects on skin. Irritating effects on eyes and respiratory system have also been observed. Inhalation of high concentrations of vapours has irritating effects on the respiratory system and may cause headache, dizziness and malaise. Prolonged or repeated exposure to high concentrations may cause damages to the nervous system.

Petroleum distillates are identified in 5 of the 21 purchased products (products nos. 3, 13, 18, 19 and 20). Petroleum distillates have only been officially assessed as regards carcinogenic effect (Carc2;R45) and their ability to cause chemically induced pneumonia. Other effects must be self-assessed. The classification with Carc2;R45 is only relevant if the petroleum distillate contains > 0.1 % of benzene, which is very rare. Petroleum distillates also comprise products better known as white spirit.

The health hazardous effects of the petroleum distillates depend on the method and degree of refining. In general, distillates with a high content of aromatic compounds are more irritating to skin and eyes than types with a low content of aromatic compounds. Petroleum distillates have a degreasing effect on skin, and repeated or prolonged exposure may cause dryness and cracking of the skin.

As mentioned, certain types of white spirit are classified with Xn;R48/20 (Harmful: danger of serious damage to health by prolonged exposure through inhalation) and R65 (Harmful: may cause lung damage if swallowed), see subsection 2.5.1. Ingestion of white spirit causes stomach trouble and symptoms as if inhaled. If white spirit enters the lungs due to vomiting after ingestion, it may provoke chemically induced pneumonia.

Of the 14 products analysed for contents of solvents, 3 products contained glycol ethers. The glycol ethers found are di- and tripropylene glycol monomethyl ether. Most glycol ethers have low acute toxicity and a relatively low irritating effect on skin and eyes /11/. Specifically, propylene glycol ethers have low volatility and low acute toxicity when inhaled. The glycol ethers found by analysis are not classified according to LODS.

None of the solvents found are classified as environmentally hazardous in LODS. Petroleum distillates and white spirit are, however, not readily degradable and they are toxic to aquatic organisms with lowest EC/LC₅₀ values in the interval of 1 - 10 mg/L /12, 13/. Both substances consist of complex mixtures of hydrocarbons with different chain lengths, and the physico-chemical and environmental properties of the substances will depend on the mixture ratio and chemical structures (chain lengths and branching) of the hydrocarbons. The estimated log P_OW values of the substances are stated as intervals with log P_OW 3.3 - 8.7 for petroleum distillates and log P_OW 2.1 - 6 for white spirit /12/. Based on the estimated log P_OW values, both petroleum distillates and white spirit are considered potentially bioaccumulable. The substances could thus be classified as Hazardous to the environment (N) with R51/53 (Toxic to aquatic organisms, may cause long-term adverse effects in the aquatic environment). The other identified solvents are assessed to be of little hazard to the environment.

5.1.3 Preservatives

According to the listings of ingredients of the products, preservatives form part of 5 of the 21 products in concentrations < 5 %. It was not possible to identify the applied preservatives. Many of the preservatives used in cleaning products are allergenic to humans and toxic to aquatic organisms.

5.1.4 Acids/bases

The following acids and bases are identified in the products:

Acids:

citric acid
glycolic acid

Bases:

sodium hydroxide

Generally, acids and bases are irritating or corrosive depending on the concentration. At the same time, bases have a degreasing effect on skin, which may mean that other substances with irreversible effects may more easily be absorbed through the skin, e.g. allergenic substances. Sodium hydroxide is classified as corrosive at concentrations as low as 2 %. Below 2 % and down to 0.5 %, sodium hydroxide is classified as irritating.

Citric acid has low acute toxicity, but may cause irritation to eyes /36/. Neither glycolic acid nor citric acid is found in LODS.

The identified acids and bases are not considered to constitute any environmental risk.

5.1.5 Abrasives

The following abrasives were identified in the products:

aluminium oxide
potassium carbonate (potash)

These substances are not considered hazardous to health in the concentrations used in the products. As a 100 % powder, the substances cause irritation/corrosion of skin, eyes and mucosa.

The abrasives are not considered hazardous to the environment.

5.1.6 Silicone compounds

The following silicone compounds were identified in the products:

silicone
silicone oil
polydimethyl siloxane (silicone polymers)

Polydimethyl siloxanes (silicone) are synthetic polymers manufactured by polymerising silanes. The polydimethyl siloxanes are not classifiable according the Danish EPA regulations and are not considered hazardous to health.

None of the silicone substances are classified as environmentally hazardous. The substances are considered not readily degradable, but they have low acute toxicity to aquatic organisms. The silicone substances are thus considered not to cause adverse long-term effects in the environment.

5.1.7 Fragrance

Fragrance forms part of at least 6 of the 21 products. Many fragrance substances may provoke allergy. The EU has listed 26 allergenic fragrances, which, from the adoption of the statutory order on detergents in October 2005, must be stated in the listing of ingredients of detergents and cleaning products if they form part of the product in concentrations above 0.01 %.

None of the products contained any information on concentration of fragrance substances or on which fragrances that formed part of the product. The risk of allergy could thus not be assessed.

The environmental properties of the fragrances are inadequately elucidated. Furthermore, the composition of fragrance mixtures is rarely known, which is also the case for the products in this project. As some fragrances are environmentally hazardous, the low concentrations (< 1 %) of fragrance in the examined cleaning products do not provide a certain proof for acquitting the fragrances as potentially hazardous substances in the aquatic environment.

5.1.8 Propellants

The following propellants were identified in the products:

butane
propane

Butane and propane are classified as Extremely flammable (Fx;R12). This applies to butane containing < 0.1 % of butadiene. Butane containing more than 0.1 % of butadiene is extremely rare and must be further classified as carcinogenic (Carc1;R45 (May cause cancer)) and mutagenic (Mut2;R46 (May cause heritable genetic damage)).

Butane and propane are not classified as environmentally hazardous.

5.1.9 Other substances

The other substances identified in the products belong to the following groups:

Complex binders:

polycarboxylates
trisodium citrate
iminodisuccinate

Thickening agents:

xanthane rubber
polysaccharides

Surface-active agent:

unspecified

Wax and lubricating oils:

mineral oil
ozokerite wax

None of the complex binders found are classified according to LODS. Polycarboxylates have shown low acute toxicity if ingested and vaguely irritating effects on skin and eyes. Data on the health hazardous properties of the identified complex binders are limited.

Mineral oils may form irritating oil mist when heated and cause indisposition if ingested. Furthermore, prolonged contact with used oils may cause skin irritation, e.g. itching, flushing, eczema and oil acne.

None of the other substances are considered hazardous to health.

None of the substances are considered hazardous to the environment.