Press Release
FROM: Hannah Hickey University of Washington
206-543-2580 hickeyh@uw.edu
(NOTE: researcher contact information at end)
For Immediate Release Aug. 24, 2011
Scented laundry products emit hazardous chemicals through dryer vents The same University of Washington researcher who used chemical sleuthing to deduce what’s in fragranced consumer products now has turned her attention to the scented air wafting from household laundry vents.
Findings, published online this week in the journal Air Quality, Atmosphere and Health, show that air vented from machines using the top-selling scented liquid laundry detergent and scented dryer sheet contains hazardous chemicals, including two that are classified as carcinogens.
“This is an interesting source of pollution because emissions from dryer vents are essentially unregulated and unmonitored,” said lead author Anne Steinemann, a UW professor of civil and environmental engineering and of public affairs. “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.” The research builds on earlier work that looked at what chemicals are released by laundry products, air fresheners, cleaners, lotions and other fragranced consumer products.
Manufacturers are not required to disclose the ingredients used in fragrances, or in laundry products. For the new study, which focuses on chemicals emitted through laundry vents, researchers first purchased and pre-rinsed new, organic cotton towels. They asked two homeowners to volunteer their washers and dryers, cleaned the inside of the machines with vinegar, and ran full cycles using only water to eliminate as much residue as possible.
At the first home, they ran a regular laundry cycle and analyzed the vent fumes for three cases: once with no products, once with the leading brand of scented liquid laundry detergent, and finally with both the detergent and a leading brand of scented dryer sheets. A canister placed inside the dryer vent opening captured the exhaust 15 minutes into each drying cycle. Researchers then repeated the procedure with a different washer and dryer at a second home.
Press Release and Study Published on IDA with Permission from Dr. Steinemann
ARTICLE RESOURCES:
Steinemann, Anne C., Gallagher, Lisa, Davis, Amy at University of Washington. MacGregor, Ian at Battelle Memorial Institute (2011). Scented laundry products emit hazardous chemicals through dryer vents. Published in Air Quality, Atmosphere and Health, 2011. Final publication available at www. springerlink.com.
Steinemann, Anne C. Exposure Assessment. Civil and Environmental Engineering and Public Affairs. University of Washington.