study of pesticides & chemicals in house dust

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Pesticides Among Chemicals Found in New Study on Household Dust

March 24, 2005

A study of common household dust released this week found pesticides and

other chemicals in samples from 70 homes across the United States.

Released by Clean Production Action on March 22, Sick of Dust: Chemicals

in Common Products - A Needless Health Risk in Our Homes documents a

wide range of chemicals used in common products such as computers,

cosmetics and upholstery as well as household and agricultural

pesticides in the dust samples.

" We have a right to safety in our own homes, " said Grattaroti, a

participant in the Sick of Dust study who is a mother and co-chair of a

parent advisory council for special education in Leominster,

Massachusetts. " It is inexcusable to subject our children to harms that

can be avoided. "

Every dust sample contained measurable concentrations of five

pesticides: cis-permethrin, trans-permethrin, piperonyl butoxide,

pentachorophenol (PCP) and 4,4'-DDT. Six more pesticides were found in

some of the samples, including: alpha- and gamma-chlordane,

chlorpyrifos, deildrin, methoxychlor and propoxur. Researchers tested

samples for a total of 14 pesticides in the study.

Permethrin products are widely used in U.S. homes, yards and gardens.

They are also used to kill insects in agriculture (especially in corn,

wheat and alfalfa production), forestry, and public health programs,

including use for head lice control. Because of the widespread use of

these products, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) routinely finds

permethrin residues on food. In 2001, it was among the top 10 most

commonly detected pesticides in FDA food samples. Like all synthetic

pyrethroids, permethrin products kill insects by strongly exciting their

nervous systems. Permethrin is a possible carcinogen and also affects

both male and female reproductive systems and the immune system.

Piperonyl butoxide, which is used in formulations of permethrin,

increases the potency of permethrin and related pyrethroids and is also

a possible carcinogen.

Most exposure to pentacholorophenol (PCP) in the U.S. comes from its

past use on treated wood and soil. From 1987 to 1993 EPA recorded

releases of PCP to land and water totaling nearly 100,000 pounds. PCP

use has been restricted since 1984, but it is still used as a

preservative on wooden utility poles and railroad ties. PCP is a known

neurotoxin and a suspected endocrine disruptor, and is classified as a

possible human carcinogen.

Although DDT was banned from use in the United States in 1972, a recent

body burden study by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

(CDC) found DDT residues in the blood of 99% of those sampled. DDT is

classified as a probable human carcinogen, and has been linked to

developmental and reproductive disorders, premature births and reduced

lactation in nursing mothers.

Five additional classes of chemicals were found in the dust:

Alkylphenols are found in laundry detergents, textiles, hair-coloring,

paints and all-purpose cleaners. These chemicals are widely recognized

to mimic natural estrogen hormones leading to altered sexual development

in some organisms.

Organotin compounds are found in PVC (polyvinyl chloride) water pipes,

PVC food packing materials, glass coatings, polyurethane foams and many

other consumer products. These chemicals are very poisonous even in

small amounts. They can disrupt the hormone, reproductive and immune

systems. Animal studies show that exposure early in life can also have

long-term effects on brain development.

Perfluorinated organics are used to make Teflon, Goretex and other oil-,

water- and stain-resistant materials for nonstick frying pans, utensils,

stove hoods, stain-proof carpets, furniture and clothes. These chemicals

have been shown to damage organ function and sexual development in lab

animals, and are potentially carcinogenic.

Phthalates are used primarily in vinyl (PVC) products such as shower

curtains, raincoats, toys, furniture and flooring. They are also used

in paint, pesticides and personal care products (perfume, nail polish,

hairspray). These chemicals disrupt reproductive systems in animal

studies, particularly in male offspring and can contribute to male

infertility. They have been linked to asthma and respiratory problems in

children.

Polybrominated dephenyl ethers (Brominated Flame Retardants) are applied

to textiles or incorporated into plastics, foams and electrical goods to

prevent or slow the spread of fire. These chemicals build up in the body

and persist for long periods of time in the environment. Studies show

they damage the development of the nervous and behavioral systems in

young animals. American women have the highest levels of these

chemicals tested for in breast milk.

Sick of Dust authors call for an aggressive program of regulatory

reform, corporate responsibility and consumer action. They stress the

need for national level policy reforms and highlight state governments

that are taking action in the absence of federal leadership. Legislation

to phase out dangerous chemicals has been passed or is moving forward in

Arkansas, California, Colorado, Hawaii, Illinois, Maine, Massachusetts,

Michigan, Minnesota, New York, Oregon and Washington.

In addition to Clean Production Action, the following groups helped

coordinate research for the report: Alliance for Healthy Tomorrow,

Center for Environmental Health, Citizens Environmental Coalition,

Ecology Center, Environmental Health Strategy Center, Oregon

Environmental Council, Silicon Valley Toxics Coalition and the

Washington Toxics Coalition.

Sources: Press Release, Hazardous Chemicals found in Household Dust

Across U.S., New Report Says, March 22, 2005, Safer Products Project,

Sick of Dust: Chemicals in Common Products - A Needless Health Risk In

Our Homes, March 2005, Pat Costner, Beverly Thorpe and andra McPherson.

Contact: Clean Production Action, 716-805-1056, info@....

For the full report visit www.safer-products.org.

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