Are dish detergents safe for our health? What about favorite Fairy liquid?

 

The PH of the skin of adults is on the acidic side as a means to protect against bacterial infections since bacteria find it hard to grow in an acidic environment. It has a PH of 5 - 6, neutral is 7.

Most dish detergents are on the neutral side of PH (7).

Fairy liquid from Procter & Gamble (JAR in Czech republic) is a well known brand of washing up liquid in Europe. The Fairy liquid PH is 9. Prolonged exposure of the skin to it can cause irritation due to the PH difference.

 

 Is Fairy liquid toxic?

Let´s have a look what the dishwasher detergent “Fairy Original” contains (http://www.info-pg.com + MSDS - material safety data sheet):

·        Pentasodium Triphosphate (Synonym - Sodium triphosphate, Sodium tripolyphosphate) 

Toxicity to Animals: Acute oral toxicity (LD50): 3100 mg/kg [Mouse]

 

Chronic Effects on Humans: The substance is toxic to lungs

 

Other Toxic Effects on Humans: Hazardous in case of skin contact (irritant), of ingestion, of inhalation. Slightly hazardous in case of skin contact (sensitizer, permeator)

 

·         Sodium Carbonate

Toxicity to Animals: Acute oral toxicity (LD50): 4090 mg/kg [Rat]

Chronic Effects on Humans: May cause damage to the following organs: upper respiratory tract, skin, eyes

Other Toxic Effects on Humans: Hazardous in case of skin contact (irritant), of ingestion, of inhalation (lung irritant)

Ingestion: Sodium carbonate ingestion may cause irritation of the digestive tract resulting in nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, thirst, abdominal pain depending on concentration and amount ingested. May also affect the cardiovascular system

·        Sodium Carbonate Peroxide (Synonym – Sodium percarbonate, Sodium carbonate peroxyhydrate) 

Toxicity to Animals: Acute toxicity: Oral LD50 (rat): 2400 mg/kg

Ingestion: Swallowing can result in nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, and gastrointestinal irritation

Eye contact: A severe eye irritant. Contamination of eyes can result in permanent injury

Skin contact: Contact with skin may result in irritation

Inhalation: Material is irritant to the mucous membranes of the respiratory tract (airways)

·         Acrylic/Sulphonic Copolymer

If swallowed: This product has low oral toxicity, but if swallowed, it can irritate the gastrointestinal tract

·         Sodium Sulfate

Toxicity to Animals: Acute oral toxicity (LD50): 5989 mg/kg [Mouse]

Toxic Effects on Humans: Slightly hazardous in case of skin contact (irritant), of ingestion, of inhalation

·         Trideceth-n

Toxicity to Animals: Acute oral toxicity (LD50): > 500 - < 2,000 mg/kg  [Rat]

Eye contact: A severe eye irritant. Contamination of eyes can result in permanent injury

·        PEG/PPG-10/2 Propylheptyl Ether

Skin contact: Contact with skin may result in irritation

Eye contact: A severe eye irritant. Contamination of eyes can result in permanent injury

·         Dipropylene Glycol

·        TAED (= Tetraacetylethylenediamine)

Toxicity to Animals: Acute oral toxicity (LD50): 2000 mg/kg [Rat]

·         Aqua (= Water)

·         PARFUM

·         Tetrasodium Etidronate

Toxic Effects on Humans: Slightly hazardous in case of skin contact (irritant), of ingestion, of inhalation

·         Polyethylene Glycol

Toxicity to Animals: Acute oral toxicity (LD50): 26800 mg/kg [Rabbit]. Acute dermal toxicity (LD50): >20000 mg/kg [Rabbit]. Acute toxicity of the vapor (LC50): >13 8 hours [Rat]

Other Toxic Effects on Humans: Slightly hazardous in case of skin contact (irritant, permeator), of ingestion, of inhalation

Special Remarks on other Toxic Effects on Humans: Acute Potential Health Effects: Skin: It may cause mild skin irritation. It may be absorbed through the skin, but absorption of harmful amounts is unlikely. Eyes: It may cause mild eye irritation. Inhalation: At room temperature, exposure to vapor is minimal due to low volatility. A single exposure is not likely to be hazardous. Ingestion: Low toxicity. Harmful effects not anticipated from swallowing small amounts. Ingestion of larger amounts may cause nausea, vomiting, cardiac arrhythmias, hypotension. It may also affect the urinary system. Prolonged or repeated ingestion may affect metabolism (weight loss)

·         Silica Dimethicone Silylate

Eye contact: eye irritant

Skin contact: Contact with skin may result in irritation

·         Cellulose Gum

·         Glycerin

·         Hydrozincite

·         Titanium Dioxide

Toxic Effects on Humans: Slightly hazardous in case of skin contact (irritant), of ingestion, of inhalation

·         Protease

·         Microcrystalline Cellulose

·         Limonene

·         Polyvinyl Alcohol

·         Benzotriazole

Toxicity to Animals: WARNING: THE LC50 VALUES HEREUNDER ARE ESTIMATED ON THE BASIS OF A 4-HOUR EXPOSURE. Acute oral toxicity (LD50): 500 mg/kg [Guinea pig]. Acute dermal toxicity (LD50): >1000 mg/kg [Rat]

Chronic Effects on Humans: MUTAGENIC EFFECTS: Mutagenic for bacteria and/or yeast. May cause damage to the following organs: the nervous system, central nervous system (CNS)

Other Toxic Effects on Humans: Extremely hazardous in case of skin contact (corrosive), of eye contact (corrosive), of inhalation (lung corrosive). Hazardous in case of skin contact (irritant), of ingestion

Special Remarks on Chronic Effects on Humans: May affect genetic material. May cause cancer based on animal data. Inadequate evidence for carcinogenicity in humans

Special Remarks on other Toxic Effects on Humans: Acute Potential Health Effects: Skin: May cause skin irritation. Eyes: Causes eye irritation. Inhalation: May cause respiratory tract irritation. It may affect respiration(Dyspnea). Ingestion: May cause digestive tract irritation. May be harmful if swallowed. May affect behavior/central nervous (central nervous system effects), and autonomic nervous system. Chronic Potential Health Effects: Ingestion: Prolonged or repeated ingestion may affect blood (Leukopenia, normocytic anemia), and endocrine system

·         Calcium Carbonate

Toxicity to Animals: Acute oral toxicity (LD50): 6450 mg/kg [Rat]

Chronic Effects on Humans: May cause damage to the following organs: kidneys

Other Toxic Effects on Humans: Slightly hazardous in case of skin contact (irritant), of ingestion, of inhalation.

Special Remarks on other Toxic Effects on Humans: Acute Potential Health Effects: Skin: Causes skin irritation. Inhalation: Excessive inhalation causes respiratory tract and mucous membrane irritation. Low hazard for usual industrial handling. Ingestion: Ingestion of large amounts may cause gastrointestional tract disturbances with nausea and possibly constipation. Expected to be a low hazard for usual industrial handling. Chronic Potential Health Effects: Chronic ingestion may affect kidneys, and may cause hypercalcemia with alkalosis 

·         Sorbitol

Toxicity to Animals: Acute oral toxicity (LD50): 15900 mg/kg [Rat]

 

Other Toxic Effects on Humans: Hazardous in case of ingestion. Slightly hazardous in case of skin contact (irritant), of inhalation

·         Dextrin

 

·         Potassium neodecanoate

Toxicity to Animals: Acute oral toxicity (LD50): 2790 mg/kg [Rat]

·         Citronellol

Eye contact: eye irritant

Skin contact: skin irritant

·         Talc

·         C12-13 Pareth-n

·         Linalool

·         Amylase

Toxicity to Animals: Acute oral toxicity (LD50): 27mg/kg [Rat]

·         Hydroxypropyl Methylcellulose

·         Zinc oxide

Toxicity to Animals: Acute oral toxicity (LD50): 7950 mg/kg [Mouse]

Chronic Effects on Humans: MUTAGENIC EFFECTS: Mutagenic for mammalian somatic cells. Mutagenic for bacteria and/or yeast

Other Toxic Effects on Humans: Hazardous in case of inhalation. Slightly hazardous in case of skin contact (irritant), of ingestion

·         (Acetato)Pentaammine salt

·         Colorant

·         Urea

 

Safety Data Sheet of “Fairy Original” according to Regulation (EC) No. 453/2010.

Most important symptoms and effects, both acute and delayed 

 

Symptoms/injuries after:

·         Inhalation - May cause irritation or asthma-like symptoms

·         Skin contact - Contact during a long period may cause light irritation

·         Eye contact - May cause slight irritation

·         Ingestion - Gastrointestinal complaints

 

Toxicological information 

·         Estimated acute oral toxicity: LD50 (rats) > 2g/kg

(The value of LD50 for a substance is the dose required to kill half the members of a tested population after a specified test duration. LD50 figures are frequently used as a general indicator of a substance's acute toxicity. A lower LD50 is indicative of increased toxicity.) 
 

Adverse human health effects and symptoms 

·        Acute toxicity, carcinogenicity , corrosivity, irritation, mutagenicity , repeated dose toxicity, sensitization , toxicity for reproduction -based upon available data of the substances, classification criteria are not met
 

Ecological information
 

No known adverse effects on the functioning of water treatment plants under normal use conditions as recommended. Harmful to aquatic organisms, may cause long-term adverse effects in the aquatic environment.

If you will decide for Fairy liquid when washing dishes, you should be wearing rubber gloves. Wearing rubber gloves will protect your hands from germs. Also, it will prevent your skin from drying out due to the constant scrubbing and exposure to water.

As you finish with scrubbing each dish, you should rinse it off under the tap, or in the second sink with clean water.  

If you care about your family health and nature, choose simply something else.

Warning: Health information and the names of the drugs mentioned in the article are only for orientation in the field of self-medication and does not replace communication with your doctor. Before taking any medication, read the leaflet or ask your pharmacist or doctor. The author is not responsible for misinterpretation of the information contained on the website and is not responsible for any damages incurred subsequent procedures or conduct that are made based on the content of these pages. By entering this blog you confirm that you have read the aim and the restrictions of the site.