Hey there, curious folks of Santa Barbara! Have you ever wondered about the sneaky risks lingering in the air you breathe at home? Well, recent studies have some groundbreaking discoveries about everyday products and the not-so-friendly ingredients they contain. These findings are changing the way we think about health, air quality, and the need for safer alternatives.

Live Healthier: Discover Safe Alternatives

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Are the products we use every day really safe? A recent study, conducted by experts from the Silent Spring Institute and the University of California, Berkeley, sheds light on the not-so-pleasant truth about toxic ingredients in household and workplace products.

You won't believe it, but lots of common items like shampoos, body lotions, cleaners, mothballs, and paint removers contain something called toxic volatile organic compounds (VOCs). These sneaky chemicals evaporate into the air, hanging around in your indoor spaces and causing all sorts of health issues, including cancer. Shockingly, most companies aren't required to tell us what's inside these products or how much of these chemicals are in them. (By the way, if you're worried, you can get your home tested for VOC levels by the expert team at Advanced Clean Air Solutions.)

Kristin Knox, the lead scientist at Silent Spring Institute, says, "This study shows just how common these harmful VOCs are in everyday products and how they can seriously affect our health. If we spread this information, it might push companies to use safer ingredients."

The study used data from the California Air Resources Board (CARB), focusing on 33 chemicals known to cause cancer, birth defects, or other harm, as required by California law. However, it looked only at VOCs and not other dangerous stuff like lead, also listed under California's Prop 65.

The study found that over 30 products, including personal care items, could be risky due to the harmful chemicals they contain, raising big concerns about our health. It also pointed out that workers in different industries might face dangers from using various products on the job.

Meg Schwarzman, an environmental health scientist at UC Berkeley and one of the study's authors, says, "Workers should know what they're exposed to. This study isn't just about knowing; it's about making products safer to protect their health."

Here are some eye-opening details from the study:

- Nail polish, shampoo, and makeup often contain a lot of formaldehyde, a common Prop 65 VOC.

- Cleaning products, art supplies, and laundry detergents also carry some harmful Prop 65 VOCs.

- Adhesives can have more than a dozen different Prop 65 VOCs, meaning one product could expose you to many chemicals.

The study estimated that in 2020 alone, more than 5,000 tons of dangerous Prop 65 chemicals were released from products in California. Mothballs alone contributed nearly 300 tons of 1,4-dichlorobenzene.

Claudia Polsky from UC Berkeley School of Law highlights, "Prop 65 has helped reduce our exposure to harmful chemicals, but we need more nationwide efforts from both manufacturers and regulators."

This study doesn't just point out problems; it offers solutions too! It suggests changing products to use safer ingredients instead of harmful VOCs and expanding regulations to cover five more chemicals under the Toxic Substances Control Act.

If you're interested in diving deeper into this study, you can read the full article titled "Identifying toxic consumer products: Novel data set reveals air emissions of potent carcinogens, reproductive toxicants, and developmental toxicants" published in Environmental Science & Technology (2023). DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.2c07247.

Remember, knowledge is power! Stay informed, stay safe, and let's all push for healthier products to keep ourselves and our loved ones well!