Fabric Softeners = Health Risks

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Fabric Softeners = Health Risks

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(from Dryer Exhaust and Treated Fabrics)

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Compiled by Julia Kendall (1935 - 1997); distributed by Environmental

Health Network

 

Chemicals found in fabric softeners by U.S. Environmental Protection

Agency (EPA)

 

" Identification of Polar Volatile Organic Compounds in Consumer Products

and Common Microenvironments " , 1991

 

Reference: Lance Wallace, EPA. Phone (703) 648-4287

 

Symptoms of exposure are taken from industry-generated Material Safety

Data Sheets (MSDS)

 

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Chemicals Found in Fabric Softeners/Dryer Sheets

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Alpha-Terpineol

 

Causes CNS (central nervous system) disorders... " highly irritating to

mucous membranes " ... " Aspiration into the lungs can produce pneumonitis

or even fatal edema. " Can also cause " excitement, ataxia (loss of

muscular coordination), hypothermia, CNS and respiratory depression, and

headache. " " Prevent repeated or prolonged skin contact. "

 

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Benzyl Acetate

 

Carconigenic (linked to pancreatic cancer). " From vapors: irritating to

eyes and respiratory passages, exciting cough. " " In mice: hyperanemia of

the lungs. " " Can be absorbed through the skin causing systemic effects. "

" Do not flush to sewer. "

 

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Benzyl Alcohol

 

Causes CNS disorders ... " irritating to the upper respiratory tract "

.... " headache, nausea, vomiting, dizziness, drop in blood pressure, CNS

depression, and death in severe cases due to respiratory failure. "

 

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Camphor

 

Causes CNS disorders. On EPA's Hazardous Waste list. Symptoms: " local

irritant and CNS stimulant " ... " readily absorbed through body tissues "

.... " irritation of eyes, nose, and throat " ... " dizziness, confusion,

nausea, twitching muscles and convulsions " . " Avoid inhalation of vapors. "

 

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Chloroform

 

Neurotoxic. Anesthetic. Carcinogenic. on EPA's Hazardous Waste list.

" Avoid contact with eyes, skin, clothing. Do not breathe vapors

....Inhalation of vapors may cause headache, nausea, vomiting, dizziness,

drowsiness, irritation of respiratory tract and loss of consciousness. "

" Inhalation can be fatal. " " Chronic effects of overexposure may include

kidney and/or liver damage. " " Medical conditions generally aggravated by

exposure: kidney disorders, liver disorders, heart disorders, skin

disorders. " " Conditions to avoid: Heat... " Listed on California's

Proposition 65.

 

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Ethyl Acetate

 

Narcotic. On EPA's Hazardous Waste list. " ...Irritating to the eyes and

respiratory tract " ... " may cause headache and narcosis (stupor) " ... " may

cause anemia with leukocytosis and damage to liver and kidneys " . " Wash

thoroughly after handling. "

 

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Limonene

 

Carcinogenic. " Prevent its contact with skin or eyes because it is an

irritant and sensitizer. " " Always wash thoroughly after using this

material and before eating, drinking ...applying cosmetics. Do not inhale

limonene vapor. "

 

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Linalool

 

Narcotic. Causes CNS disorders. ... " respiratory disturbances "

.... " Attracts bees. " " In animal tests: ataxic gait, reduced spontaneous

motor activity and depression ...depressed heart activity ...development

of respiratory disturbances leading to death. "

 

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Pentane

 

" Danger - Harmful if inhaled ...Avoid breathing vapor. " " Inhalation of

vapors may cause headache, nausea, vomiting, dizziness, drowsiness,

irritation of respiratory tract and loss of consciousness. Repeated

inhalation of vapors may cause CNS depression. Contact can cause eye

irritation. Prolonged exposure may cause dermatitis (skin rash). "

 

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CNS = Central Nervous System

 

Your brain and spine. CNS disorders include: Alzheimer's Disease,

Attention Deficit Disorder, Dementia, Multiple Chemical Sensitivity,

Multiple Sclerosis, Parkinson's Disease, Seizures, Strokes, Sudden Infant

Death Syndrome.

 

CNS exposure symptoms include: aphasia, blurred vision, disorientation,

dizziness, headaches, hunger, memory loss, numbness in face, pain in neck

and spine.

 

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ACT NOW

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File an official complaint. Call the U.S. Consumer Product Safety

Commission at 1-800-638-2772; press 1; press 999 to file your report on

fabric softeners. Emphasize CNS disorder symptoms caused by chemical

poisoning from the product. Allergic symptoms are not given priority in

Commission investigations. Demand a recall. Everyone you know who reacts

to fabric softeners should call - the tally will be useful in litigation

and publicity.

 

Attain copies of reports from the U.S. Consumer Product Safety

Commission. Call 1-301-504-0424. Consumer product reports are available

under the Freedom of Information Act. Request any of the following:

Emergency Room reports; Consumer Complaints; Death Certificate reports;

In-depth Investigations.

 

Contact manufacturers: 1-800-543-1745 - Proctor and Gamble (Downy and

Bounce); 1-800-598-5005 - Lever Brothers (Snuggle); or call the maker of

the product you know makes you ill.

 

Call the Air Quality Management and the Air Resources agencies in your

area. Request a list of their board members. Ask for information

regarding their policies for presenting issues to their boards. Request

the boards consider the issue of fabric softeners in dryer exhausts as a

factor in air pollution. File a complaint.

 

 

*********INSTEAD OF FABRIC SOFTENER, you can use 1 cup of baking soda

and/or 1 cup of vinegar to soften and reduce static cling.

 

 

 

Blessings,

Kandy

 

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