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The Toxicity of Polyurethane
From Debra Lynn Dadd
I just happened to receive two questions this week about the toxicity of polyurethane, so I thought I would write a separate post on this chemical.
In the past, we mostly heard about polyurethane foam, which is used to make mattresses, seat cushions, and other such products. That likely contains toxic chemicals.
Now, there are new products that have a thin polyurethane film fused to fabric to make it waterproof. As best as I can tell, this is made from a different type of polyurethane, probably the type that is used to produce FDA dry and wet food grade urethanes.
Here’s the chemistry lesson.
Polyurethane (or “urethane” for short) is the name given to a class of petrochemical resins that contain isocyanates.
There are three different polyurethanes:
1. Toluene Diisocyante (TDI)
2. Diphenylmethane Diisocyanate (MDI)
3. Paraphenylene Diisocyanate (PPDI)
And they are made into chemicals that fall into eight major groups:
1. MDI-Esters: produce FDA dry and wet food grade urethanes.
2. TDI-Esters
3. MDI-Ethers: Some are adaptable to FDA and USDA application for wet and dry food contact.
4. TDI-Ethers
5. PPDI-Esters
6. MDI
7. TDI: used to make polyurethane foam for mattresses, cushions etc
8. PPDI
So when you read that something is made from “polyurethane” you need to also find out what type of polyurethane it is.
It’s likely that the MDI food grade polyurethane is a lot less toxic than the TDI polyurethane foam. To research the health effects of every polyurethane is beyond the scope of this blog at the moment. But I’ve done enough research to see that the toxicity of one “polyurethane” is different than another. It’s unfortunate that the same word is used to refer to a whole class of chemicals of varying toxicity.
A Happy Planet
A website devoted to organic, natural fibers, including clothing, bedding, mattresses, bath linens, carpets, table linens, curtains, and more. "Our mission is to improve the quality of life for all creatures (including our customers!), by offering sustainable, quality products which do not compromise labor, animals or the earth in their production, use, or disposal cycles."
Hanna Andersson
A well-established provider of natural fiber clothing for babies and kids, well-loved for more than 20 years for their bright colors, softness, and comfort, inspired by the founders’ Swedish heritage. Now many, but not all, items are made from 100% organically grown cotton–“since 2002 we’ve made over two million hannas in organically grown cotton”–certified in Germany by Oko-Tex to their Standard 100. “In order for a garment to be certified, every fabric, button, thread and zipper is rigorously tested for over 100 potentially harmful substances, and the result is especially easy on children’s skin.”
Removing perfume from new clothing
Question from Marcia Sherwin
Hi Debra:
I just purchased a cashmere sweater on sale at almost 75% off and didn’t realize until I got it home and took it out of the bag that it has a very strong perfume smell. Without having to return it, can you recommend a way to get rid of the perfume smell? I don’t want to put it in my washing machine as I’m afraid the perfume smell will stay in there, unless you know of a good laundry soap that will take it out. Probably I should hand-wash it.
Debra’s Answer
I just purchased a cashmere sweater at 75% off too! Mine didn’t have perfume, however.
Sometimes new clothing is scented because of a finish called “sizing,” which easily washes out.
I recommend that you hand-wash your cashmere sweater (never put it in the washer, anyway) and see if that takes care of it. If not, see Q&A: Removing perfume from used clothing.
Habitat for Humanity ReStores
Habitat for Humanity brings families and communities in need together with volunteers and resources to build affordable, healthy, sustainable housing. The program enables families to build their own homes, with assistance and training. "Habitat's Environmental Initiative promotes cost-effective, best-practice construction methods to its U.S. affiliates, raising awareness of the environmental impacts of house building. As a result, partner families may enjoy healthier, more energy-efficient and durable housing at the lowest possible cost. Over time the initiative has been integrated into Habitat's standard education and training activities, so that affiliates are encouraged to be good house builders and good stewards of natural resources."
To finance their work in part, they operate "ReStore" home improvement centers across America that sell high quality used and surplus construction and home improvement products of all types. Indoor and outdoor lighting, home appliances, doors, windows, cabinets, counter tops, tiles, and more are sold at substantial savings. Most are donated by building supply stores, contractors, demolition crews and individuals like you. Proceeds help fund the construction of Habitat houses within the local community. My husband and I went to visit our local ReStore and found a good selection of doors (including a $50 front door exactly the same as one we had purchased at a salvage yard for $100 and was selling for $200 at a home improvement warehouse), marble bathroom tiles, some great salvage windows, and a lot more. It's worth a visit.
See their pages on Materials Conservation and their Energy Bulletins.
Green Sleep
This is the most luxurious latex foam mattress. 100% natural latex, wrapped with an organic cotton velour cover quilted with layers of organic silk and pure wool. Three interchangeable plates of natural rubber can be chosen to select the desired firmness. Two sleeping zones allow sleeping partners to select their own individual firmness. Zippered removable cover. Wood slat foundation is covered with quilted padding.
Greener Printer
Full service printer using recycled paper and soy-based inks. Prints everything from business cards to booklets, posters, and folding cartons. Eco-audit statistics are calculated for each job based on the volume of your project and the recycled content of the paper you've chosen, so you can see exactly how much greenhouse gasses, water, energy, trees, and solid waste you've saved by using recycled paper.
Petroleum smell in bedding
Question from Vicki in Oregon
I recently purchased an all cotton coverlet, bed skirt and shams. I always wash everything before it comes in to my house anyway but I noticed the coverlet had an odor much like Petroleum. I washed the coverlet 3 times and can still smell it, especially when wet. Since I don’t want that smell or chemicals in my dryer, I hung it to dry and plan to return it to the store. Although I don’t smell the Petroleum as strong now that is dry, I assume whatever is causing the smell is still there and don’t want it in my house.
I am very disappointed, the price was reasonable and the set is light weight enough that I can use my own washer and dryer.
Is there a way to remove this smell and whatever is causing it?
Debra’s Answer
I’m not sure exactly what is causing it. If it is “reasonably priced” it’s likely that it was made in a foreign country, where almost anything could have been applied during manufacture or transport.
You’ve already done the things to do. I would return the items.
You could continue to wash and soak and hang in the sun and the odor would probably dissipate over time.
420 Toxic Chemicals Found In Scented Products
A new study done at the University of Washington discovered that 25 commonly used scented products emitted 420 different chemicals. Nearly a quarter are classified as toxic or hazardous under at least one federal law. Only one emitted compound was listed on a product label, and only two were publicly disclosed anywhere.
About half of the products test about made some claim about being green, organic or natural. “Surprisingly,” said the lead author, “The green products’ emissions of hazardous chemicals were not significantly different from the other products.”
More than a third of the products emitted at least one chemical classified as a probable carcinogen by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, and for which the EPA sets no safe exposure level.
Neither cleaning products nor personal care products are required to list ingredients used in fragrances, even though a single “fragrance” in a product can be a mixture of up to several hundred ingredients.
Some of the toxic chemicals found to be emitting from the products included ethanol, acetone (the solvent used in nail polish remover), acetaldehyde, 1,4-dioxane, formaldehyde and methylene chloride.
The lead author of the study suggests cleaning with vinegar and baking soda (which I’ve been recommending since 1982).
Scented Consumer Products Shown to Emit Many Unlisted Chemicals
Environmental Impact Assessment Review: Fragranced consumer products: Chemicals emitted, ingredients unlisted
Study FAQs
PFOAs Found in Junk Food Bags
PFOAs, the same chemical that is toxic in nonstick pans, have been found by University of Toronto scientists in the liners of junk food wrappers and microwave popcorn bags. The PFOAs from these food packages are migrating into food and being ingested by people, contributing to the toxic burden of their bodies.
PFOA is found in the bodies of humans all around the world.
Scientists who did the study suspect that a major source of human PFCA exposure may be the consumption and metabolism of polyfluoroalkyl phosphate esters or PAPs. PAPs are applied as greaseproofing agents to paper food contact packaging.
“In this study we clearly demonstrate that the current use of PAPs in food contact applications does result in human exposure to PFCAs, including PFOA. We cannot tell whether PAPs are the sole source of human PFOA exposure or even the most important, but we can say unequivocally that PAPs are a source and the evidence from this study suggests this could be significant.”
The use of PAPs in food contact applications is not currently regulated.
Another reason to prepare your meals and snacks from fresh, whole, organic foods.
University of Toronto: Dangerous chemicals in food wrappers likely migrating to humans
