Some solvents used in consumer products are linked to neurological problems and increased cancer risk.
What are they?
Solvents are a diverse class of chemicals that are used to dissolve or disperse other substances.
Some solvents of concern include aromatic hydrocarbon solvents (e.g., toluene, xylene, benzene) and halogenated organic solvents (e.g., methylene chloride, perchloroethylene, trichloroethylene).
Where are they found?
Products containing solvents include oil-based paints, paint strippers, adhesives, wood finishes, shoe polish, cosmetics, markers, aerosols, nail polish remover, garment dry cleaning, sealants, and household cleaners.
What are the health concerns?
Breathing solvent vapors may lead to temporary nervous system symptoms, such as headaches, dizziness, and brain fog. Long-term occupational exposure to some solvents (including methylene chloride, perchloroethylene, trichloroethylene, and benzene) may increase cancer risk. Exposure to high levels of the main solvent used in paint strippers (methylene chloride) without adequate ventilation can lead to asphyxiation or death. However, even lower-level exposure to some solvents may lead to permanent harm. For example, early life exposure to perchloroethylene in drinking water is associated with adverse neurodevelopmental effects.
How are we exposed?
Solvents evaporate from products and become mixed with the air we breathe. We can also absorb them through skin contact. Some solvents, particularly perchloroethylene and trichloroethylene, are common groundwater contaminants and can end up in drinking water. People who work with gasoline, paints, finishes, and dry cleaning products are at the greatest risk of problematic solvent exposure.
What are the environmental concerns?
These solvents enter the environment by emissions from product use, dry cleaning, gasoline, and metal degreasing industries and by spills or accidental releases to air, soil and water. They react in the atmosphere in sunlight, producing ground-level ozone which is a main component of smog and negatively affects human, animal and plant health. Chlorinated solvents are slow to break down in soil, posing a threat to groundwater aquifers and ecosystems. In fact, trichloroethylene is the most common organic contaminant found in groundwater.
Should they be used?
When toxic solvents are phased out, they are often replaced with similar solvents. For example, toluene has largely been phased out in nail polish, but is replaced by its chemical cousin xylene which appears to have similar effects. In dry cleaning, perchloroethylene is often replaced in by another organohalogen solvent, 1-bromopropane, which is also a likely carcinogen.
Instead of regrettable substitutions, water-based products and other safer alternatives exist for many uses. For example, water-based paints can be used instead of oil-based paints and professional “wet cleaning” can be done instead of conventional dry cleaning.
What Can You Do?
Opt for professional wet cleaning instead of conventional dry cleaning.
Use water-based, instead of oil-based, paints.
Use screws and other mechanical fasteners or water-based adhesives in furnishings and construction.
Select eco-labelled cleaning products, such as US EPA’s “Safer Choice”.
Use paints, glues, inks, and stain removers in well-ventilated areas
When not in use, products that may contain these solvents should be tightly covered to prevent evaporation into the air.
When possible, ask for products without problematic solvents.
Other Videos on Some Solvents
Webcast introducing the new Some Solvents video featuring conversation with Michael Kirschener, Meredith Williams, and Arlene Blum.
Introduction to Some Solvents: Liz Harriman, MA Toxics Reduction Institute
TEDxGreatPacificGarbagePatch – Arlene Blum – Plastic Pollution In Our Homes
Where have all the toxic chemicals gone? Arlene Blum at TEDxWellesleyCollege
Resources
- ATSDR Assessment of the Evidence for the Drinking Water Contaminants at Camp Lejeune and Specific Cancers and Other Diseases – From 1953-1987, the drinking water at Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune was contaminated with high levels of benzene, perchloroethylene, and trichloroethylene. This recent assessment reviews the literature around the carcinogenic effects of these solvents in the Camp Lejeune population and other studies.
- Human Health Effects of Dichloromethane: Key Findings and Scientific Issues – This U.S. EPA report reviews the exposure sources and potential health effects of dichloromethane (methylene chloride) used in paint strippers and concludes that it is a likely human carcinogen.
- Overexposed & Underinformed: Dismantling Barriers to Health and Safety in California Nail Salons – This report and policy agenda by the California Healthy Nail Salon reviews the science and policy recommendations about the chemicals of concern in nail salons, including solvents like toluene and acetone.
- How Pruitt’s EPA finds a dangerous chemical is safe: Ignore most exposures to it. EDF Health Blog, 7/5/2018
- Home Depot, Lowe’s to cease sales of chemical blamed in accidental deaths. San Jose Mercury News, 6/20/2018
- Center for Public Integrity details dangers of paint stripper solvent. NPR, 9/21/2015
- Perfect nails, poisoned workers. New York Times, 5/8/2015
- Don’t drink the water. The Atlantic, 3/5/2015
- Study: Perc remains in dry-cleaned clothes. Washington Post, 9/2/2011
- Household cleaners to be reformulated to clean up California smog. Scientific American, 11/19/2010