Ozone pollution isn't just coming from oil&gas: see inside

[pixy0stix]

Smelly home use products make up a huge bulk of it.


Colorado’s bad air includes fumes from sunscreen, bug spray and hand lotion - coloradosun.com/2021/08/12/colorado-air-pollution-includes-fumes-from-sunscreen-bug-spray-and-hand-lotion/

New papers from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration shows that volatile chemicals from personal consumer products make up a large portion of ozone-causing air pollution plaguing Colorado’s Front Range and every major city in America.

While those fighting air pollution have long assumed volatile organic compounds (VOCs) from automobiles and the oil and gas industry are the largest sources of ozone worth tackling, the research increasingly shows volatile chemicals from consumer products are another major culprit.

The chemicals that evaporate from consumer products like sunscreen, shampoo, hair gel, bug spray, perfume — even scented garbage bags — make up 42% of human-caused volatile organic compounds in the atmosphere above Boulder, the NOAA research shows.

ETA: NOAA research for NYC - research.noaa.gov/article/ArtMID/587/ArticleID/2783/Fragrant-consumer-products-a-key-source--of-ozone-forming-pollution-in-New-York-City

ETA2: The research article cited - www.pnas.org/content/118/32/e2026653118

[pixy0stix]

Should I put this in the bathing thread? (I joke, otherwise I'd cry.)

ETA: There's a pretty clear recommendation in there that the government regulate this, which means taking out the smells from the majority of things. Are you (general) prepared to support that?

[eddy]

Oh wow!

Well this works out really well for me because I hate artificial smelly things lol. I mean I am sure there is something I would come across that I love and would be sad to get rid of. Like my aveda shampoo. But for the most part, down with scents!

Don't even get me started on scented trash bags. gag

[TR]

Scented garbage bags are the WORST.

And like eddy, I might miss my shampoo smell, but I really couldn't care less about added scents to things.

[Captain Catnip]

I already try to buy unscented of what I use, so I really don't mind. As long as unscented handsoap will eliminate garlic smell etc I'm good.

[pixy0stix]

Even things like cleaners (where scent is added to hide chemical smells), and laundry detergent?

[eddy]

I have no idea what a cleaner would smell like if there wasn't a scent. If it is a bleach smell I am in lol.

I use unscented laundry detergent. I hate that fake smell on my clothes.

[mrsslocombe]

Most "unscented" soaps, detergents, etc actually have fragrance added to mask the chemical scents, so I'm curious about whether those products also contribute to the pollution.

[af1212]

This would be amazing for me as one of my largest migraine triggers is artificial scents.

I use unscented everything except for I do use powder fresh deodorant. Not sure why but the smell of that does not give me a headache. My family uses unscented products as well to help with my migraines.

[gardengal]

I try to buy unscented everything (including cleaners tho most of what I use is vinegar) from laundry detergent to dishwasher detergent to bug spray & sunscreen so this specific issue isn’t my hurdle. (My hurdle is plane travel when I feel ok to do that again. It’s a brutal 16hrs in the car—each way—to visit family w no good train options)

My solid soap & shampoo tend to have scents but it’s not like they are long lasting so I could probably deal.

[al320]

I dont post here often anymore, but i know a lot about this (through work) so thought id chime in.

This is new in Colorado, but it's not new. California has been at the forefront of regulating and decreasing use of VOCs since the 80s, it's in response to the Clean Air Act. A few other states follow them, and even Canada is looking to copy their (2010) regulation. They update it fairly regularly, and since companies don't just sell product state by state, pretty much any product in the US complies with their regulations. It covers everything from personal care products (think how hairsprays have changed in the past few decades... They even add new product categories, dry shampoo is currently being added), perfumes, to air fresheners, and more industrial type products and things like cleaners and car materials and a million other things (you can find this all on CARB's website, it's fairly easy to navigate). They have *drastically* reduced VOC use, and update the allowed levels every few years as technology allows for it.

Basically anything with a fragrance or a solvent has VOCs, they went after low hanging fruit first, but have gotten into tons of product categories.

Hope that's helpful context.

[neverfstop]

That would put bath and body works out of business….

[pixy0stix]

Aug 12, 2021 15:48:50 GMT -5 mrsslocombe said:

Most "unscented" soaps, detergents, etc actually have fragrance added to mask the chemical scents, so I'm curious about whether those products also contribute to the pollution.

Oooh, that's a good point. If it's petroleum based, then yes, the "unscented" fragrance probably does contribute.

[pixy0stix]

Aug 12, 2021 15:51:47 GMT -5 al320 said:

I dont post here often anymore, but i know a lot about this (through work) so thought id chime in.

This is new in Colorado, but it's not new. California has been at the forefront of regulating and decreasing use of VOCs since the 80s, it's in response to the Clean Air Act. A few other states follow them, and even Canada is looking to copy their (2010) regulation. They update it fairly regularly, and since companies don't just sell product state by state, pretty much any product in the US complies with their regulations. It covers everything from personal care products (think how hairsprays have changed in the past few decades... They even add new product categories, dry shampoo is currently being added), perfumes, to air fresheners, and more industrial type products and things like cleaners and car materials and a million other things (you can find this all on CARB's website, it's fairly easy to navigate). They have *drastically* reduced VOC use, and update the allowed levels every few years as technology allows for it.

Basically anything with a fragrance or a solvent has VOCs, they went after low hanging fruit first, but have gotten into tons of product categories.

Hope that's helpful context.

While the article is CO specific, the research is from NOAA and newly published. I think CA went at it on it's own, and now it's being quantified by the government/other research.

Which means that while CA has regulated and changed the industry, they obviously haven't changed it enough since it's showing up so strongly in newer research.

[al320]

Aug 12, 2021 15:57:07 GMT -5 pixy0stix said:

Aug 12, 2021 15:51:47 GMT -5 al320 said:

I dont post here often anymore, but i know a lot about this (through work) so thought id chime in.

This is new in Colorado, but it's not new. California has been at the forefront of regulating and decreasing use of VOCs since the 80s, it's in response to the Clean Air Act. A few other states follow them, and even Canada is looking to copy their (2010) regulation. They update it fairly regularly, and since companies don't just sell product state by state, pretty much any product in the US complies with their regulations. It covers everything from personal care products (think how hairsprays have changed in the past few decades... They even add new product categories, dry shampoo is currently being added), perfumes, to air fresheners, and more industrial type products and things like cleaners and car materials and a million other things (you can find this all on CARB's website, it's fairly easy to navigate). They have *drastically* reduced VOC use, and update the allowed levels every few years as technology allows for it.

Basically anything with a fragrance or a solvent has VOCs, they went after low hanging fruit first, but have gotten into tons of product categories.

Hope that's helpful context.

While the article is CO specific, the research is from NOAA and newly published. I think CA went at it on it's own, and now it's being quantified by the government/other research.

Which means that while CA has regulated and changed the industry, they obviously haven't changed it enough since it's showing up so strongly in newer research.

Im not sure how NOAA has been involved. EPA does have some regulation but it's so far behind CARB that no one pays attention to it. It's interesting to see NOAA is starting to study it. California does it's own monitoring (obviously only in CA) and it's been very successful in improving air quality.

[breezy8407]

How timely. I am at my in-laws for our first visit since Covid. Nearly every main room and bathroom has a Bath and Body wall flower thing with a scent, each bathroom has room freshener spray, B&BW hand soap, and there are usually one to two candles burning at any given time. Oh and all sheets and towels are Downy liquid softener, and it makes the towels nearly unabsorbent, which is one of my bigger pet peeves. Its overwhelming. When we get home, I have to wash everything because it permeates even the clean unused clothes in my suitcase. As if we were visiting a smokers home. Not judging, I personally can't stand to smell like ALLL the things.

I think because of the above, I made a point years ago to get rid of as many scented things as possible in our cleaning and other house products like laundry soap.

[pixy0stix]

Aug 12, 2021 15:59:12 GMT -5 al320 said:

Aug 12, 2021 15:57:07 GMT -5 pixy0stix said:

While the article is CO specific, the research is from NOAA and newly published. I think CA went at it on it's own, and now it's being quantified by the government/other research.

Which means that while CA has regulated and changed the industry, they obviously haven't changed it enough since it's showing up so strongly in newer research.

Im not sure how NOAA has been involved. EPA does have some regulation but it's so far behind CARB that no one pays attention to it. It's interesting to see NOAA is starting to study it. California does it's own monitoring (obviously only in CA) and it's been very successful in improving air quality.

I'm not asking this snarkily, but did you read the article? LOL! It lays it all out there.

[cattledogkisses]

Aug 12, 2021 15:52:39 GMT -5 neverfstop said:

That would put bath and body works out of business….

And Glade, and Febreeze, and Downy and etc. etc.

Advertisers definitely do their best to try to convince us that our clothing, homes, and bodies need to be strongly scented at all times.

[al320]

Aug 12, 2021 16:02:25 GMT -5 pixy0stix said:

Aug 12, 2021 15:59:12 GMT -5 al320 said:

Im not sure how NOAA has been involved. EPA does have some regulation but it's so far behind CARB that no one pays attention to it. It's interesting to see NOAA is starting to study it. California does it's own monitoring (obviously only in CA) and it's been very successful in improving air quality.

I'm not asking this snarkily, but did you read the article? LOL! It lays it all out there.

Parts of it, and i know youre not being snarky. I just was adding some context to the discussion, separate from the article. Thought it would be helpful.

[aurora]

Aug 12, 2021 16:02:31 GMT -5 cattledogkisses said:

Aug 12, 2021 15:52:39 GMT -5 neverfstop said:

That would put bath and body works out of business….

And Glade, and Febreeze, and Downy and etc. etc.

Advertisers definitely do their best to try to convince us that our clothing, homes, and bodies need to be strongly scented at all times.

I would be so glad to see Glade, Febreeze, etc. gone forever. Those scents make me ill almost immediately.

[aurora]

To the bigger point, though, it is possible (and mentioned at the end of the article) to buy low-VOC products. I haven't done much research in the personal care side because I generally prefer unscented - and admit I hadn't really thought of it! - but maybe research like this will lead to labeling that makes it easier to identify.

[pixy0stix]

I dug around some, and if a product is "unscented" it is still lumped into the "fragrance" category. So everyone with unscented products might still be contributing.

Source, another scholarly article on about the same topic - “Fragranced products” are considered products that contain “fragrance,” “parfum,” “perfume,” “essential oils,” or an aromatic scent (even if undisclosed). “Fragrance-free” products are considered products with the claim of “fragrance-free” or “no fragrance.” (To note, “unscented” products are not included in this category, because they may actually contain a fragrance to cover the scent.) link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s11869-020-00928-1

[Patsy Baloney]

Scent-free/non-scented (not unscented) stuff is really hard to find. I have really reactive skin and try to avoid scenting (even unscented) as much as possible.

So I'm totally fine with Bath and Body Works going out of business, sorry, employees and frequent users and malls that are using that store and Spirit Halloween to stay open, lol.

I guess I'm really surprised to find that it's having such a high impact! My skin was right all along!

[winecat]

:::: updates “CEP Ruins Everything” spreadsheet ::::

[StrawberryBlondie]

This would work out really well for me since artificial.fragrance in skin products aggravate my skin and smells aggravate my allergies.

[One Girl In All The World]

Scented things irritates my asthma so fine by me.

[sillygoosegirl]

Aug 12, 2021 15:32:16 GMT -5 pixy0stix said:

ETA: There's a pretty clear recommendation in there that the government regulate this, which means taking out the smells from the majority of things. Are you (general) prepared to support that?

I am SO prepared to support that, even if they weren't harmful to the environment.  I detest artificial scents in basically everything, and even if I didn't hate them, I would still avoid them because my dad (whom I spend a lot of time with when I'm not trying to keep him from dying of COVID) has a strong reaction to them.  Rashes and stuff.  I don't get why they are so popular, since I don't think his reaction is particularly uncommon. 

[sofamonkey]

Aug 12, 2021 17:16:11 GMT -5 One Girl In All The World said:

Scented things irritates my asthma so fine by me.

I’d be interested in the data (but there likely isn’t any) of the increase of scented products and the increase in asthma.

I think scented products really started to take off in the 80s/90s? I could completely live without scents both for my skin & my headaches.

Also, the harvesting of essential oils is horrifically terrible for the environment, if I recall correctly.

[winecat]

Aug 12, 2021 17:45:29 GMT -5 sofamonkey said:

Aug 12, 2021 17:16:11 GMT -5 One Girl In All The World said:

Scented things irritates my asthma so fine by me.

I’d be interested in the data (but there likely isn’t any) of the increase of scented products and the increase in asthma.

I think scented products really started to take off in the 80s/90s? I could completely live without scents both for my skin & my headaches.

Also, the harvesting of essential oils is horrifically terrible for the environment, if I recall correctly.

::: updates spreadsheet again :::

[pixy0stix]

Aug 12, 2021 17:45:29 GMT -5 sofamonkey said:

Also, the harvesting of essential oils is horrifically terrible for the environment, if I recall correctly.

One of the issues with EOs is the sheer amount of source material that has to be harvested. It creates wide swaths of monoagriculture space and consumes vast amounts of resources.