Gretchen Schaefer
202.833.7311
British Media Reports on Air Fresheners and Aerosol Products Based on Discredited Study
WASHINGTON , DC (Oct. 20, 2004) – Recent British media reports linking volatile organic compounds (VOCs) from aerosol and consumer products to increased health risks to mothers and children come from an old, flawed study, according to the Consumer Specialty Products Association (CSPA). The study, titled Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents and Children, was released in 1999. It drew conclusions based on a correlation of indoor air quality data from 170 homes and self-reported information on product use and health symptoms from 14,000 families. Initial findings reportedly suggested a potential link between use of aerosol, air freshener and consumer products containing VOCs and depression in mothers and vomiting and diarrhea in babies.
“When these concerns were first raised, British industry and government officials conducted an extensive review and found the study was not credible,” said CSPA President Chris Cathcart . “The methodology was flawed and the findings were misstated,” according to Cathcart, noting that the study was not subjected to peer review and the authors refused to share the data.
“Although the study reports a potential link to VOCs and health risk, it ignored data showing that high levels of VOCs in indoor air were mainly from smoking and other sources not related to consumer products,” said Cathcart. “The use of the products was more likely the result of the vomiting and diarrhea than the cause,” he added.
VOCs represent a broad range of compounds from natural and manmade sources. Some VOCs are used for a variety of purposes in aerosol and consumer products, but they are carefully chosen to be of low toxicity and products are designed to minimize consumer exposure. The study measured total VOCs (TVOCs), which have hundreds of sources indoors, as well as a few specific VOCs.
“Manufacturers evaluate products for health and safety to assure that products are safe and effective,” Cathcart said. “Ingredients are routinely examined to ensure that exposure levels from product use and potential misuse are below the level that would pose risk.”
All consumer specialty products are regulated by numerous federal agencies. Various federal statutes and regulations apply to the manufacture, distribution, use and disposal of these products.
The Consumer Specialty Products Association is a non-profit national trade association representing 240 companies engaged in the manufacture, formulation, distribution and sale of hundreds of familiar consumer products. It is organized into seven divisions: Aerosol Products, Air Care, Antimicrobial Products, Cleaning Products, Pest Management Products, Industrial & Automotive Specialty Chemicals, and Polishes & Floor Maintenance Products.
