Underestimated danger: cleaning detergents are not harmless press release in Turkish: Küçümsenen tehlike: Temizlik maddeleri zararsız de ildir | Umweltbundesamt

Underestimated danger: cleaning detergents are not harmless

In principle, all detergents are potentially hazardous. They contain surfactants which could cause poisoning if swallowed. Since 1 August 1990, the date that marks the start of the obligation to report cases of poisoning, nearly 10,000 cases caused by detergents have been registered. These cases were largely related to occupational incidents; in fact, about 90 percent. The remaining 10 or so percent occurred in private households, of which only a small proportion (about one tenth) had medium to severe health effects. However, these cases often involve children.

About a year ago UBA and the Federal Institute for Risk Assessment (BfR) were forced to ban the trade and sale of a certain cleaning agent, as its high percentage of nitric acid posed a significant consumer risk. The product was only available in a few shops, however. Products that are labelled “corrosive” are especially problematic. These include drain cleaners and oven and sanitary detergents whose improper use can lead to skin irritations, chemical burns or cause damage to the respiratory tract and lungs. “These products can easily be avoided in the household. Alternatives are widely available on the market,” says Jochen Flasbarth.

More advice is available in the new UBA pamphlet on environmentally conscious cleaning (Umweltbewusst reinigen - nachhaltig und hygienisch). UBA advice is to look for the EU flower, the European eco-label, as products bearing this label must meet strict environmental and health standards. In addition, producers must provide proof of cleaning performance with these products. The pamphlet on environmentally conscious cleaning is also available in Turkish.

14 October 2011