Chemistry Of Detergents

Early chemical exposures may affect breast health

Some of these chemicals are found in ordinary household products such as certain types of plastic water bottles, canned foods and laundry detergents, the researchers noted.

With this in mind, the study authors called for chemical test guidelines for industry requiring that scientists test the chemicals' effects on early mammary gland development.

Scientists from the U.S. National Institutes for Environmental Health Sciences, the Environmental Protection Agency and the Silent Spring Institute collaborated on the report, published online June 22 in the journal Environmental Health Perspectives .

"If we try to figure out what causes breast cancer, we have to look at the breast when we do the chemical safety tests," said Ruthann Rudel, research director at Silent Spring.

Currently, protocols for testing don't require looking at mammary tissues, Rudel said, so it is rarely done. "We could be missing a lot," she said.

Experts believe these early disturbances in mammary glands due to chemical exposure may boost the risk of harmful effects later in life. These could include impaired lactation (secretion of breast milk), abnormal breast growth in men and breast cancer.

One impetus for the study, in fact, was an increase in early breast development in girls, which is linked to an increased risk of breast cancer.

The report also noted that although experts recommend that all infants be breast-fed exclusively for six months, some 3 million to 6 million women in the United States are unable to produce milk or have difficulty breast-feeding each year.

The scientists interviewed 18 experts, reviewed research and discussed the issue at a workshop in late 2009. They are submitting a request to the Paris-based Organisation for Economic Co-Operation and Development (OECD), asking it to add mammary tissue testing to its guidelines.

The international organization develops guidelines for testing of chemicals for safety, human health effects and environmental effects. "It's a call for government agencies that develop policy to make sure mammary gland assessment is required," Rudel said.

Industry representatives said they welcomed the review.

"This workshop, which provided a forum for scientific discussion, did not produce data or outcomes relevant to consumers, and thus comments from the meeting should not cause undue concern," said Kathryn St. John, spokeswoman for the American Chemistry Council . "Based on their review of animal studies conducted by the participating scientists, the group considered ways to change chemicals safety testing, and discussed the relevance of potential scientific outcomes to human health.

Chemistry 103/201-- Ole Miss: Dishwashing detergents

Dishwashing detergents contain phosphates to help prevent 'hard-water' type limescale deposits, oxygen-based bleaching agents which break up organic deposits, surfacants, and enzymes to break up protein-based food deposits, and possibly oil, lipid and fat deposits. Dishwashing detergents also soften water to prevent insoluble deposits, loosen and hold soil in suspension, leave items clean and grease-free so they rinse and dry without spots, and be safe for a wide variety of dishes, glassware, utensils, etc. They can be found in forms of powder, gel, and tablets. Some scientist believe that powder detergent provides a better scrubing action due to a sandblasting effect. Inexpensive powders sometimes actually contain sand, which can be verified by dissolving the powder in boiling water and then passing the solution through a coffee filter; these detergents should be avoided to prevent wear of the dishes and the dishwasher. Gel detergents are formulated to provide controlled dispensing. Because of their form, they are less likely to be spilled than powders. Gels dissolve quickly, allowing the detergent to begin working right away. Tablet detergents are formulated to work in all types of water; you may need to use an extra tablet in extremely hard water.

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