WASHINGTON, D.C. - CPSC, Colgate- Palmolive of New York, N.Y., is voluntarily recalling approximately 25,000 containers, a portion of one day's production, of 50-ounce size FAB liquid Color-Plus laundry detergent sold for $3.99, marked with the date code 4213. The recall affects only certain geographical areas.
Colgate is recalling the FAB detergent that contains high levels of a chemical known as sodium hydroxide, which can cause a skin irritation or injure consumers if ingested or when coming in contact with the eyes. While other household products contain similar or higher levels of sodium hydroxide, they are marked with stronger cautionary warnings than FAB.
WASHINGTON, D.C. – The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) and the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) are urging parents to take immediate action to ensure their family is not exposed to the hazards posed by liquid laundry packets or capsules. Young children who are exposed to the highly concentrated, toxic detergent are at risk of serious injury
Over the past fifteen years, more than 10,000 Americans have had their blood tested by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in an attempt to determine their “chemical body burden.” The results of the CDC study were stunning: even those who lived in remote areas were found to have hundreds of synthetic chemicals in their bloodstream1 . More disturbingly, this chemical exposure begins even before we take our first breath— an astounding 287 chemical toxins have been detected within the umbilical cord blood of newborns2
Common Chemicals in Most Laundry Detergents
Could Your Family be at Risk?
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Sodium lauryl sulfate
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1,4-dioxane
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Nonylphenol ethoxylate
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Synthetic fragrances
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Anionic surfactants
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Petroleum distillates
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Phenols
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Optical brighteners
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Sodium hypochlorite bleach
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Ethylene-diamino-tetra-acetate
Scientists have examined these chemicals for a long time. One such study at the University of Washington in 2008 analyzed some of the best-selling laundry products. This study found that “Five of the six products emitted one or more carcinogenic ‘hazardous air pollutants,’ which are considered by the Environmental Protection Agency to have no safe exposure level,” according to Anne Steinemann, the study author.
Now it’s worth noting that not every brand contains every item in the above list. Nor does every brand list its ingredients on the packaging (there’s no law requiring manufacturers to do so). But do a little research, and you may find that many of the leading laundry detergents that you see in your local grocery stores contain chemicals that can harm you.
What Chemicals in Laundry Detergent Pose the Biggest Risk?
The most common chemicals in laundry detergent that can do the most harm include:
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1,4 dioxane in the short term can cause eye and nose irritation; long-term, it can even affect liver and kidneys. The state of California has declared it can cause cancer and has been found to be potentially toxic to your brain and central nervous system, kidneys, liver and respiratory system, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
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Nonylphenol ethoxylate (NPE) has been found to mimic estrogen and disrupt endocrine functions. That is, when exposed, your system may not be able to know the difference between nonylphenol ethoxylate and estrogen. Yikes! We’re a long way up the food chain from rainbow trout, but the Sierra Club found when the fish were exposed to nonylphenol ethoxylate, they became part female and part male.
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Sodium lauryl sulfate has been linked to cancer, neurotoxicity, organ toxicity, skin irritation and endocrine disruption.
What to do about toxic substances in laundry detergent
Start by reading the labels. You want to see “biodegradable” because those detergents usually don’t contain the fearsome foursome above. Better yet, find products that say they use plant-based ingredients. Some products may even go so far as to say “Does not contain …” or “NPE free,” “no bleach,” “SLE free,” etc.
Additionally, a quick internet research will dig up natural alternatives to the big-name laundry soap you might be using.
Not Starganic/ Youth Developed, Parent Approved