Clipping Board » Environmental Pollution & Change ─ How dirty the human heart is, how dirty the environment will be...
Taiwan Awakening News, January 7, 2014
Reporter Fang Jiamin, Taipei
Chemical additives in laundry detergents remain unregulated, posing potential risks to the environment and human health! The Homemakers United Foundation held a press conference on the 7th, pointing out that commercial laundry detergents marketed as anti-mite or hypoallergenic contain chemical additives such as preservatives and environmental pesticides, which may irritate the skin and severely impact the environment. In response, the Bureau of Standards, Metrology and Inspection (BSMI) under the Ministry of Economic Affairs stated that it will require manufacturers to label ingredients and provide warnings in the future, while also urging companies to reduce the use of environmental pesticides in laundry detergents.
Late last year, the Homemakers United Foundation held a press conference exposing that the anti-mite function of Miracle Care’s anti-mite and hypoallergenic laundry detergent comes from permethrin, an insecticide that may irritate those with sensitive skin. Recently, the foundation surveyed laundry detergent manufacturers across Taiwan. Among the 36 brands claiming anti-mite or antibacterial properties, most refused to disclose ingredients, citing trade secrets. Six brands were found to contain triclosan, triclocarban, thiabendazole, and glutaraldehyde.
Last month, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) stated that antibacterial ingredients like triclosan, added to many commercial hand soaps and body washes, do not effectively clean dirt and may instead contribute to bacterial resistance. The Council of Agriculture noted that thiabendazole is commonly used as a preservative for fruits, vegetables, paper, leather, and paint, as well as an anthelmintic for humans and livestock. Its side effects may include skin irritation or allergies. Glutaraldehyde, used as a preservative in aquaculture and cosmetics, can irritate the skin, eyes, throat, and lungs in liquid or vapor form.
Legislator Lin Shu-fen questioned whether adding environmental and agricultural pesticides to laundry detergents without clear labeling or risk assessments could worsen allergies. "Last month, the FDA already required manufacturers using chemical additives to provide evidence that their ingredients are harmless before products can be marketed," Lin said. Currently, the BSMI only regulates triclosan, limiting its content in laundry detergents to no more than 0.3%, while other additives remain unregulated.
The Soap and Detergent Association recently issued a statement declaring that since current regulations do not require manufacturers to disclose ingredients in laundry detergents, they will not disclose them. Huang Chia-lin, secretary-general of the Homemakers United Foundation, said, "There are currently no laws regulating laundry detergent ingredients. Neither the Council of Agriculture for agricultural pesticides, the Environmental Protection Administration’s Toxic Substances Management Division for environmental pesticides, nor the BSMI require manufacturers to label ingredients or conduct human risk assessments."
"Whether or not these chemicals pose significant harm to humans, they are indiscriminately harmful to the environment, rivers, and wildlife," said Huang Ji-sen, chairman of the Taiwan Environmental Pest Management Association. Many commercial laundry detergents contain pesticides, environmental pesticides, insecticides, bactericides, and disinfectants, yet authorities impose no restrictions or pollution controls, causing severe environmental impacts.
Chen Xiu-nu, section chief at the BSMI, stated that the bureau is working toward "prohibiting environmental pesticides" and "requiring full ingredient labeling." In addition to market inspections, the BSMI will investigate whether manufacturers use environmental pesticides. "While we cannot yet completely ban environmental pesticides in laundry detergents, we will require ingredient labeling and warnings." The specifics of labeling, such as proportions or scientific names, still need discussion due to trade secret concerns.Source: http:/ / tw. news. yahoo. com/ % E8……8% 8D% E7% AE% A1- 130021100. html
More Allergies from Washing? Chemical Detergents Unchecked
Reporter Fang Jiamin, Taipei
Chemical additives in laundry detergents remain unregulated, posing potential risks to the environment and human health! The Homemakers United Foundation held a press conference on the 7th, pointing out that commercial laundry detergents marketed as anti-mite or hypoallergenic contain chemical additives such as preservatives and environmental pesticides, which may irritate the skin and severely impact the environment. In response, the Bureau of Standards, Metrology and Inspection (BSMI) under the Ministry of Economic Affairs stated that it will require manufacturers to label ingredients and provide warnings in the future, while also urging companies to reduce the use of environmental pesticides in laundry detergents.
Late last year, the Homemakers United Foundation held a press conference exposing that the anti-mite function of Miracle Care’s anti-mite and hypoallergenic laundry detergent comes from permethrin, an insecticide that may irritate those with sensitive skin. Recently, the foundation surveyed laundry detergent manufacturers across Taiwan. Among the 36 brands claiming anti-mite or antibacterial properties, most refused to disclose ingredients, citing trade secrets. Six brands were found to contain triclosan, triclocarban, thiabendazole, and glutaraldehyde.
Last month, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) stated that antibacterial ingredients like triclosan, added to many commercial hand soaps and body washes, do not effectively clean dirt and may instead contribute to bacterial resistance. The Council of Agriculture noted that thiabendazole is commonly used as a preservative for fruits, vegetables, paper, leather, and paint, as well as an anthelmintic for humans and livestock. Its side effects may include skin irritation or allergies. Glutaraldehyde, used as a preservative in aquaculture and cosmetics, can irritate the skin, eyes, throat, and lungs in liquid or vapor form.
Legislator Lin Shu-fen questioned whether adding environmental and agricultural pesticides to laundry detergents without clear labeling or risk assessments could worsen allergies. "Last month, the FDA already required manufacturers using chemical additives to provide evidence that their ingredients are harmless before products can be marketed," Lin said. Currently, the BSMI only regulates triclosan, limiting its content in laundry detergents to no more than 0.3%, while other additives remain unregulated.
The Soap and Detergent Association recently issued a statement declaring that since current regulations do not require manufacturers to disclose ingredients in laundry detergents, they will not disclose them. Huang Chia-lin, secretary-general of the Homemakers United Foundation, said, "There are currently no laws regulating laundry detergent ingredients. Neither the Council of Agriculture for agricultural pesticides, the Environmental Protection Administration’s Toxic Substances Management Division for environmental pesticides, nor the BSMI require manufacturers to label ingredients or conduct human risk assessments."
"Whether or not these chemicals pose significant harm to humans, they are indiscriminately harmful to the environment, rivers, and wildlife," said Huang Ji-sen, chairman of the Taiwan Environmental Pest Management Association. Many commercial laundry detergents contain pesticides, environmental pesticides, insecticides, bactericides, and disinfectants, yet authorities impose no restrictions or pollution controls, causing severe environmental impacts.
Chen Xiu-nu, section chief at the BSMI, stated that the bureau is working toward "prohibiting environmental pesticides" and "requiring full ingredient labeling." In addition to market inspections, the BSMI will investigate whether manufacturers use environmental pesticides. "While we cannot yet completely ban environmental pesticides in laundry detergents, we will require ingredient labeling and warnings." The specifics of labeling, such as proportions or scientific names, still need discussion due to trade secret concerns.Source: http:/ / tw. news. yahoo. com/ % E8……8% 8D% E7% AE% A1- 130021100. html