Ingredients in antiseptic, house hold and personal care
products end up in sewage treatment plants when washed off. Furthermore, such
harmful ingredients may affect the soil, air and potentially end up in aquatic
environments. Europe has implemented the EC cosmetics directive to reduce
environmental risks harmful chemicals may pose. The EC cosmetics directive has taken
the initiative to regulate the types of ingredients being used in antiseptic,
household and personal care products. The EC has placed special concern on preservatives,
colorants, and UV filters. They determine
the environmental safety of ingredients based on their ability to biologically
degrade via the microorganisms present in the sewage system. It was determined
surfactants, lipophilics, emulsifiers, fruit acids, solvent alcohols, preservatives,
and perfume oils are readily biodegradable. In contrast, polymers, hair dyes,
dyestuffs, and, ultraviolet filters are not readily biodegradable, but do
manage to get degraded. The EC cosmetics directive has also implemented strict labeling
of products warning consumers about shelf life, ingredients, and proper use of
the product. Regulating the types of chemicals being used in antiseptic,
household, and personal care product, increases environmental sustainability because
it reduces environmental risks. Moreover, the products being used are tested to
make sure they are biodegradable. Which reduces the risk of the chemicals
making their way into drinking water, the soil, air, and aquatic environments.
Source: http://www.joyoushealth.com/blog/2011/04/23/12-dirty-chemicals-in-your-personal-care-products/
Citation
Tolls, Johannes, Harald Berger, Adolf Klenk, Michael Meyberg,
AG Beiersdorf, Rainer Müller, Klaus Rettinger, and Josef Steber.
"Environmental Safety Aspects of Personal Care Products—a European
Perspective." Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry.
28.12 (2009): 2485-2489. Print.
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