Regan Brown
Deodorant is a product that has been used for centuries, with the ancient Egyptians applying perfumed oils to their bodies to mask body odour. Today, deodorants come in various forms, including sprays, roll-ons, sticks, and natural crystal varieties. While deodorants help us stay fresh and odour-free, they can also contribute to environmental issues. Deodorants packaged in plastic sticks, for instance, are petroleum products, derived from fossil fuels. The use of petroleum-based chemicals in deodorants and other consumer products has been linked to harmful air pollution in the form of volatile organic compounds (VOCs), which can have adverse effects on human health and the environment. As a result, some companies like Tom's of Maine have made efforts to remove fossil fuels from their deodorant products, highlighting a growing awareness of the environmental impact of personal care products.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Fossil fuels used in deodorant | Petroleum-based chemicals |
| Forms of deodorant | Sprays, roll-ons, sticks, crystals |
| Plastic and chemical pollution | Microplastics in deodorants can accumulate in marine environments, posing a threat to marine life |
| Eco-friendly alternatives | Natural ingredients, biodegradable packaging, recycling programs, compostable cardboard, reusable packaging |
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What You'll Learn
Petroleum-based deodorants emit volatile organic compounds (VOCs)
Deodorants, perfumes, soaps, and other personal care products contain volatile organic compounds (VOCs) that are emitted into the air. VOCs are released from petroleum-based compounds found in these products, contributing to air pollution. While cars have long been associated with smog, researchers have found that petroleum-based deodorants and other consumer products can emit as many volatile organic compounds as motor vehicles. This surprising finding highlights the need to reduce the use of deodorants and similar products to improve air quality.
The study, published in the journal Science, revealed that VOCs from deodorants and other petroleum-based products interact with other particles in the air to create the precursors of smog, particularly ozone. Ozone is a respiratory irritant that can trigger asthma and damage lung tissue. Additionally, VOCs contribute to the formation of PM2.5, fine particles linked to serious health issues such as heart attacks, strokes, and lung cancer.
The impact of VOCs on air quality is significant, especially in densely populated urban areas. For example, during the summer of 2018 in New York City, emissions from volatile chemical products, including deodorants, played a crucial role in driving high ozone pollution levels. This finding underscores the importance of reducing the use of petroleum-based deodorants and similar products to mitigate air pollution and improve public health.
It is worth noting that not all deodorants contain petroleum-based compounds. Natural deodorants, free of controversial ingredients like aluminum and PG, are becoming increasingly popular. However, even if a deodorant is free of petroleum-based compounds, it may still contain other ingredients that contribute to air pollution, such as fragrances. Fragrances can be comprised of hundreds of chemical compounds, including phthalates, which are known endocrine disruptors.
To minimize the environmental and health impacts of deodorants, it is recommended to opt for products that are free of parabens, synthetic fragrances, and aluminum. Deodorants made with magnesium hydroxide and essential oils are considered better alternatives. Additionally, choosing deodorants with compostable cardboard or reusable packaging can further reduce the environmental footprint of these products. By making conscious choices, consumers can play a vital role in improving air quality and protecting public health.
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Fossil fuels are used in the plastic packaging of deodorant
The use of plastic in deodorant packaging contributes to plastic and chemical pollution, which can have harmful effects on the environment, particularly the oceans. Microplastics used in deodorant packaging can accumulate in marine environments, posing a threat to marine life. This has led to a push for more sustainable practices, including the use of biodegradable packaging and recycling programs.
Some companies, such as Tom's of Maine, have made efforts to remove fossil fuels from their deodorant products. However, it can be challenging to create an effective deodorant that is free of fossil fuels, especially for use during the hottest months of summer.
To reduce the environmental impact of deodorant packaging, consumers can opt for deodorants with recyclable, biodegradable, or reusable containers. By choosing sustainable packaging options, individuals can play a role in protecting the planet and reducing plastic pollution.
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Deodorant use contributes to air pollution
Deodorant use does indeed contribute to air pollution, particularly indoor air pollution. A study by École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL) in Switzerland found that the use of deodorant and other personal care products can generate air pollution that rivals that of urban smog. The study identified more than 200 different kinds of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) emitted by these products, which can react with other substances in the environment to create secondary organic aerosols.
Deodorants, particularly aerosol deodorants, can release particulate matter (PM) into the air, which contributes to indoor air pollution. PM is a term used to describe microscopic, inhalable particles that are important components of both outdoor and indoor pollution. A study by ScienceDirect found that the use of an aerosol antiperspirant deodorant in a standard home environment resulted in increased PM concentrations, with the time taken for the concentrations to return to room background levels varying depending on ventilation conditions.
The use of deodorant can also contribute to outdoor air pollution. A study published in the journal Science found that the petroleum-based chemicals used in perfumes, paints, and other consumer products can emit volatile organic compounds (VOCs) that interact with other particles in the air to create the building blocks of smog. These VOCs can react with ozone, a common component of indoor and outdoor air, to create a "literal smog of particulates." The researchers found that the concentrations of these compounds in Los Angeles were higher than could be predicted from fossil fuel sources alone, suggesting that deodorants and other personal care products are significant contributors to air pollution.
The impact of deodorant use on air pollution is particularly notable given the health concerns associated with the ingredients commonly found in these products. For example, parabens, which are used as preservatives in deodorants, have been linked to endocrine disruption and the growth of breast cancer cells. Phthalates, which are used to solubilize fragrances, are also known endocrine disruptors and can lower testosterone production. Aluminum, a common active ingredient in antiperspirants, has been linked to Alzheimer's and breast cancer, although these claims have been disputed.
To reduce the impact of deodorant use on air pollution, individuals can opt for more sustainable alternatives. Deodorants made with magnesium hydroxide and essential oils, for example, are considered safer for human and environmental health. Avoiding aerosol deodorants and choosing products with compostable or reusable packaging can also help reduce the environmental impact of these products.
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Deodorant microplastics damage marine life
Deodorants, perfumes, and soaps are fouling the air with harmful types of pollution, at levels as high as emissions from cars and trucks. The use of petroleum-based chemicals in perfumes, paints, and other consumer products can emit air pollution in the form of volatile organic compounds (VOCs). VOCs interact with other particles in the air to create the building blocks of smog, which can trigger asthma and permanently scar the lungs.
Microplastics, which are small, mostly microscopic particles made of synthetic polymers, are present in everyday items, including cigarettes, clothing, and cosmetics. Deodorants are also a source of microplastics, which can be absorbed into the skin or ingested. Continuous use of products containing microplastics increases their accumulation in the environment, and they can enter oceans through marine plastic litter breakdown, run-off from plumbing, and leakage from production facilities.
When ingested by marine life, microplastics have both toxic and mechanical effects, leading to issues such as reduced food intake, suffocation, behavioural changes, and genetic alteration. Studies on the red coral Corallium rubrum, a genus with a near global distribution, have shown that microplastics cause feeding impairment, tissue damage, altered gene expression, oxidative DNA damage, and microbiome alteration. These effects may be generalizable to other habitat-forming suspension and filter feeders given the increasing levels of microplastic contamination in the world's oceans.
The impacts of microplastics on marine life are still largely unknown, but action to limit their spread and prevalence will undoubtedly benefit the long-term health and well-being of marine ecosystems. Individuals can take steps to reduce their plastic footprint, such as choosing deodorants that are free of parabens and synthetic fragrances and opting for compostable cardboard or reusable packaging.
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Fossil fuels are hard to replace in summer deodorants
Fossil fuels are integral to the production of many everyday products, including deodorant. While some companies have attempted to remove fossil fuels from their deodorant products, it has proven challenging to formulate an effective deodorant for the hottest months of summer without them.
One of the main challenges in removing fossil fuels from deodorant is finding an alternative to petroleum-based compounds. Petroleum is a common ingredient in deodorants, especially those that come in plastic stick form. Petroleum-based chemicals are also used in perfumes, which are often included in deodorants to mask body odour.
In addition to being a key ingredient, fossil fuels are also used to power the manufacturing processes of many deodorant products. The production of plastic packaging for deodorants, for example, relies on fossil fuels. Thus, even deodorant products that do not contain petroleum as an ingredient may still have a significant fossil fuel component in their production and packaging.
Another challenge in removing fossil fuels from deodorant is the need for effective alternatives that are safe and environmentally friendly. Natural deodorants that are free of controversial ingredients such as aluminum and parabens are becoming increasingly popular. However, these alternatives may not be as effective in controlling odour and perspiration, especially during the summer months when higher temperatures can exacerbate body odour.
Overall, while there is a growing trend towards sustainable and eco-friendly deodorant options, fossil fuels remain hard to replace in summer deodorants due to their effectiveness, the ubiquity of petroleum-based compounds, and the energy requirements of production and packaging.
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