Scented laundry products release carcinogens, study finds

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(CBS) Scented laundry detergent and dryer sheets make laundry smell great - but do they cause cancer?

A small study suggests scented laundry items contain carcinogens that waft through vents, potentially raising cancer risk.

"This is an interesting source of pollution because emissions from dryer vents are essentially unregulated," said lead author Dr. Anne Steinemann, professor of civil and environmental engineering and of public affairs at the University of Washington, said in a written statement. "If they're coming out of a smokestack or tail pipe, they're regulated, but if they're coming out of a dryer vent, they're not."

Previous studies have looked at what chemicals are released by laundry products, since manufacturers don't have to disclose ingredients used in fragrances or laundry products.

Needless to say, these researchers weren't thrilled with what they found.

For the study - published in the August issue of Air Quality, Atmosphere and Health - researchers enlisted two homeowners to volunteer their washers and dryers, which the team scrubbed clean beforehand. The researchers ran a regular laundry cycle for three scenarios in each home: once without any detergent, once with a scented liquid laundry detergent, and the last with both scented detergent and a leading brand of scented dryer sheets.

Their analysis found more than 25 "volatile" air pollutants - including the carcinogens acetaldehyde and benzene.

Benzene causes leukemia and other blood cancers, according to the American Cancer Society. Acetaldehyde has been shown to cause nasal and throat cancer in animal studies.

Steinemann thinks agencies focus too much on limiting other pollution sources when they should look closer to home.

"We focus a lot of attention on how to reduce emissions of pollutants from automobiles," she said. "And here's one source of pollutants that could be reduced."

The American Cleaning Institute, however, Steinemann's study, calling the findings "shoddy science" that didn't take into account many factors like washing machine brands, different load cycles, and non-scented products.

"Consumers should not be swayed by the sensationalist headlines that may come across the Internet related to this so-called research," the Institute emailed CBS News.

[purslane77]

I have also had asthma and hives when exposed to these toxic products. Those of us with these reactions are CANARIES in THE COAL MINE. It makes me physically sick to be near anyone wearing clothes washed in this stuff. PLEASE PLEASE use non toxic alternatives like ECOVER OR SEVENTH GENERATION. It is not worth the risk. This is not the only study out there. These products also contain a known carcinogen- petroleum distillates. IT IS NOT WORTH THE RISK. DON'T BE BRAINWASHED. At the very least, if you don't care about your own health, respect those of us who suffer from asthma and skin rashes. PLEASE THINK. PLEASE!!!

[jeanieo1]

I have to beg you world! Please stop using your dryer sheets! My apartment is downwind of the laundry room and I can always tell when someone has thrown in a dryer sheet. Bounce is the worst. Within minutes my eyes start to itch, eventually stream and ache, followed by a piercing headache. It took me weeks to figure out what was causing the symptoms and now I run to shut my windows and patio door. Today a seat mate at school, wearing a shirt smelling of Bounce, sat down beside me. In minutes the headache began, my eyes filmed over and my throat became compromised. I'm anaphylactic for sulphites, I moved away from her and was fine. I wasn't surprised to find your dryer sheet contain 23 known carcinogens! I'd like to see more studies. Sign me up! My seat mate's reaction? "I'm not going to stop using MY Bounce!" Not even if it kills me apparently.

[purslane77]

JeanieO,
Isn't it awful how people are so stubborn and refuse to be open minded. The corporations that make this stuff buy our politicians and it's not regulated. I am friends with a scientist who works for the FDA, and he told me that so many dangerous chemicals are approved against the advice of the scientists because the companies lobby, and money always wins over public health. I beg the world too. Please don't take the risk. Your clothes can be clean without risk of disease. Even if you are skeptical, abide by the precautionary principle and be safe. SEVENTH GENERATION AND ECOVER ARE TWO PRODUCTS THAT COME TO MIND- THEY ARE SAFE. I'M SURE THERE ARE OTHER PRODUCTS THAT OUR GRANDPARENTS USED... i'M WITH YOU Jeanie, just the thought of those smells, makes me sick. so sad about your seat mate. :(

[MrChristopherSEA]

I recently moved from an apartment complex because my unit was constantly being filled with these laundry waste chemicals. I find these 'perfumes' and laundry chemicals ghastly, they smell awful and toxic. They DON'T make your clothes smell clean, they make them smell like cheap perfume.

How is it possible we the general public have been convinced these overly perfumed and chemically toxic products smell like clean? WAKE UP, clean doesn't have a smell, cheap perfumes do.

[purslane77]

exactly, MRCHRISTOPHER. these products are made with waste products from the chemical industry. they are ghastly- awful smelling and toxic. makes me want to vomit. the general public is brainwashed beyond belief. so sickening and sad. it's like a bad science fiction movie. :(

[IFRANorthAmerica]

Consumers can continue to use and enjoy laundry and fabric care products safely and effectively, as they have every day for decades.

While it makes for an eye-catching headline, the "study" referenced in this article was poorly designed and included a sample size of only six--too small to be meaningful.The researcher, Anne Steinemann, makes unsubstantiated claims and exploits her findings. Her study falls short of being detailed enough to replicate or allow for a proper review of the findings.

Read more about the many flaws in this study and the fragrance manufacturers' response to the findings here: http://www.ifrana.org/sites/default/files/Fragranced%20Laundry%20Products%20FINAL%20D

[MrChristopherSEA]

Sorry IFRANorthAmerica, you're obviously a chemical/toxin shill. Our planet is dying from the exposure to industrial/corporate pollution and toxins. It's obvious to any of us who have to endure a close-by laundry facility that these fabric 'care' products are not safe. I'm so sorry, but anyone who buys and uses these cheap smelling perfumes and chemical laden products have been duped by bad advertising into buying products that are harmful.

[purslane77]

MRCHRISTOPHER is right. this is only one of many studies. there is a reason that asthmatics can't use these products. they are toxic- these chemicals don't clean clothes- they poison us and anyone who thinks differently is duped or a lying representative from the industry. FOR SHAME!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[salonsalami]

Alcohol IS a carcinogen, genius. That's why your doctor tells you not to drink it so much.

[purslane77]

but your doctor tells you. that's the difference. ppl are in the dark about toxic laundry products. there are studies out there, but not nearly enough publicity and my doctor has not told me laundry detergents are carcinogens... big problem!

[optimotion]

Our grandmothers already found that a cup of baking soda or a cup of vinegar had the same benefits without the toxic affects. I will not treat patients who are wearing this stuff because it seeps into my treatment table and takes months to clear out--and it makes me sick.

AND ALL HOSPITALS ARE USING THIS FOR SCRUBS--That means the surgeons, anesthesiologists, nurses, are all being affected. No wonder they make mistakes in surgery, as the toxics in fabric softeners affect focus, thinking, memory and mood.

[purslane77]

True, OPTIMOTION. My husband's son's mother uses these products on his clothes. Everytime we have his son over, the couch, the bed- all smells like this. Something is terribly wrong when these particles seep onto other materials. I have to air out the bedding when he comes over. I start wheezing when I am near him. It is awful. Can't believe hospitals are using these products for scrubs, but I guess hospitals aren't known for providing healthy meals either... it is a very scary world. :(

[barbaram99]

My roommate picks out the laundy soap..I wash my person with unscented soap..I do not use them dryer sheets..They mess the dryer. No fabric softner.

[erasmus111]

I only buy unscented laundry soap. And I NEVER use dryer sheets.

Dryer sheets/fabric softener is deadly for cats. And I'm not talking about the scent. If they lie on something with it on it, they can get sick or die.

[gnimelf1968]

Really, I had a cat that lived to be 21 years old, she slept on my bed that had sheets and blankets that had been softened.