title: [Chemical components in common consumer products].
abstract: The "Documentation and Information Centre for the Diagnostics, Prevention and Treatment of Intoxications" of the Federal Health Office permits to get an overview on the components of consumer products. This data bank which has been set up to serve in cases of acute intoxication, contains about 11.000 sheets with informations on chemical substances in the domestic environment. Notice is taken of symptoms and toxicological effects and recommendations for the treatment of acute intoxications are given. The household products may be divided into two groups, namely "area products" and "products with a limited use". Examples for area products are cleansing and maintenance products for floors, windows and furniture as well as shampoos for carpets. Products with a limited use comprise shoe-polishes, spot-cleaners, and glues. The following classes of substances which are found in both groups of products, are important due to the frequent use of the corresponding products and to the fact that corresponding the substances are more or less volatile organic solvents: hydrocarbons, halogenated hydrocarbons, alcohols, glycols and glycol derivatives, ester, ketones and cyclic ethers. The so-called "room-freshener" frequently contain p-dichlorobenzene, whereas a compound found in room-deodorants is polypropylene glycol. The actual air quality of an indoor environment can not be estimated from such lists, but has to be determined by chemical analysis of the indoor air since the air exchange of the room has to be taken into account. Nonetheless, it is recommended to put emphasis on the substances mentioned when carrying out such measurements.
mesh_terms: D006795:Household Products / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000032:analysis*; D008452:Maximum Allowable Concentration
vernacular_title: Chemische Bestandteile in gängigen Haushaltsprodukten.