Forever Chemicals
The term “forever chemicals” is being used in mainstream media, but what are they exactly? Forever chemicals are a group of chemicals that take thousands of years to break down and are harmful to human health. Also known as polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), they are chemicals that resist grease, oil, water, and heat. They first started being used in the 1940’s in cleaning products, paints, fire-fighting foams and water resistant fabrics and carpeting. [5]
1,4-Dioxane
1,4-Dioxane is a heterocyclic organic compound that is classified as an ether. It has a faint sweet odor and is a colorless liquid that is used in many products including typical laundry detergents.[3] The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) classified 1,4-dioxane as a probable human carcinogen. [1] The state of New York has gone so far as to limit the amount of 1,4-Dioxane allowed in laundry detergents that are sold there. [2]
Labels
When looking on the labels of your laundry detergents, 1,4-Dioxane could be hiding as:
- Sodium Laureth Sulfate (SLES)
- Potassium Laureth Sulfate
- Laureth-6 and Laureth-7
- C12-16 Pareth
- Polyethylene Glycol (PEG)
- Polysorbate-20, Polysorbate-60, and Polysorbate-80 [2]
When used for washing laundry, this chemical doesn’t break down and stays in waterways causing a host of health issues, including cancer. As a result, it has made its way into drinking water and as of now, there is no federal limit to the amount allowed. Getting it out of our water systems water is quite the challenge. [3][4]
Avoid “forever chemicals” and stop using detergent altogether by switching to the Smart Laundry System. The Smart Laundry System creates aqueous ozone from oxygen and cold water and delivers it straight to your washing machine. Aqueous ozone is a powerful oxidizing agent that breaks down the cell walls of dirt and bacteria to rid them from your laundry and deep clean & deodorize your clothes. Rid your household from “forever chemicals.” Switch to the Smart Laundry system today.
Sources:
[1] United States Environmental Protection Agency.“1,4-Dioxane (1,4-Diethyleneoxide), Hazard Summary.” Summary created in 1992, updated January 2000.
[2] Meliora Cleaning Products, “What Is 1,4-Dioxane in Laundry and Cleaning Products.” January 19, 2023.
[3] Hogue, Cheryl. Chemical and Engineering News. “1,4-Dioxane: Another forever chemical plagues drinking-water utilities”. November 8, 2020.
[4] Environmental Working Group. “PFAS Contamination of Drinking Water Far More Prevalent Than Previously Reported.” January 2020.