In the UK, indoor aerosol products are said to emit more pollution than car traffic. Volatile organic compounds are involved.
- Interior aerosol products emit more volatile organic compounds (VOCs) than cars in the UK.
- 25 billion disposable aerosol cans are used each year on the whole planet, which would cause the release of more than 1.3 million tons of VOCs.
- VOCs are present in many everyday consumer products even though they are pollutants and carcinogenic.
The packaging of refreshing, sanitizing or even purifying sprays promises us a healthy and fragrant home… Behind their fruity or gourmet smells, sometimes certified natural and organic, these aerosols hide a completely different reality: they are very harmful to health. A Rrecent study estimates that the high level of consumption of these aerosol products in the United Kingdom generates an emission of air pollution – measured in volatile organic compounds (VOC) – greater than that of vehicles in the whole country. An alarming observation because, according to the researchers, more than 25 billion disposable aerosol cans are used each year on the whole planet, which would lead to the release of more than 1.3 million tonnes of VOCs. By 2050, this figure could even reach 2.2 million tonnes. However, the authors do not specify how many VOCs are emitted by UK car traffic.
VOCs present in many everyday consumer products
VOCs are a group of substances – ethanol, acetone, benzene, etc. – belonging to different chemical families but which are all composed of at least one carbon atom and one hydrogen atom. They are found as a gas or vapor in the air, where they spread rapidly. Thus, these VOCs are considered as pollutants because they have very harmful effects on the environment, the atmosphere but also on human, animal and plant health. Some are even considered carcinogenic. However, the concern is that VOCs are emitted by many materials and everyday consumer products, such as certain dishwashing liquids, detergents, fabric softeners, deodorants, but also interior aerosol products or even cars and their fuel. In addition, the VOCs associated with nitrogen oxide participate in the formation of ozone in the lower layers of the atmosphere, which is harmful for the environment.
To reduce VOCs, change your hygiene and household products
In the 1990s and 2000s, the biggest source of VOC pollution in the UK was petrol cars and fuel, but these emissions have come down significantly in recent years thanks to government standards. According to the researchers, the problem now comes more from household consumption. They estimate that on average, in so-called developed countries, ten aerosol cans are used per person per year. And, as global consumption of these products grows, that number is growing. The authors of the study thus encourage policymakers to advocate the use of interior products without aerosols or with less harmful propellants. Currently, VOCs are used in approximately 93% of aerosol cans. “Virtually all aerosol-based consumer products can be manufactured in non-aerosol form, such as roll-on or stick deodorants, assures Professor Alastair Lewis, one of the authors of the study. Making small changes in what we buy could have a major impact on outdoor and indoor air quality, while having little impact on our lives.” Small habits to change to preserve the planet, our health and that of all ecosystems.
And if you want to measure the impact of VOCs on your daily life, nothing could be easier! All you need is a VOC sensor, a small device that allows you to gauge the quality of the ambient air. Once installed, it displays the level of VOCs present inside a room. And, if the score is bad, start by ventilating the room, then change your hygiene and household products! Steam cleaning, Marseille soap, white vinegar or even a simple microfiber cloth will be much better for your health!
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