"Mom, I can't read the words on your laundry detergent bottle, can I buy it casually?" Xiaoya (pseudonym) asked with interest as she looked at the bottles and cans that her mother had just brought back from the supermarket.
The mother was sorting out the shopping bags, and when she heard this, she put down the fabric softener in her hand and turned to look at her daughter with a slightly serious expression. "How can it be casual, haven't you read the news that some laundry detergents and laundry detergents are getting dirtier and dirtier the more you wash them, and they may cause cancer?"
Xiaoya (pseudonym) was stunned for a moment, and couldn't help but sit up straight, her mother saw her doubts, "There are all kinds of products on the market now, some of which seem to have strong cleanliness, but in fact they hide a crisis." Xiaoya (pseudonym) listened to this, her heart tightened, she didn't expect that the inconspicuous laundry detergent on weekdays would hide such a big health threat.
01. The role and efficacy of laundry products
Decontamination ability: The core ingredient of all kinds of laundry products is surfactants, such as anionic surfactants, nonionic surfactants, etc. These ingredients have an amphiphilic structure that forms tiny micelles in water that envelop and dissolve stains such as grease, perspiration, food debris, etc., separating them from the fabric fibers and being effectively removed during the rinsing process.
Softness and care: Many laundry products add fabric softeners or care ingredients, such as cationic surfactants, silicone oils, esters, etc., which can adsorb on the surface of the clothing fibers during the washing process, reduce the friction between the fibers, and make the washed clothes feel soft, wrinkle-resistant, and more comfortable to wear.
Sterilization and deodorization: Some laundry products contain antibacterial ingredients, such as quaternary ammonium salts, phenols, organic acids, etc., which can kill bacteria and fungi attached to clothes during washing, help prevent the spread of skin diseases, and maintain clothing hygiene. These ingredients also inhibit bacterial growth and reduce the likelihood of odors during storage.
Not only do the added fragrances give the clothes a fresh and pleasant aroma, some fragrances also mask odors, ensuring that the laundry is not only clean, but also smells pleasant.
Prevent fading and protect color: Laundry products may contain antioxidants, such as phenols, amines, etc., which can inhibit oxidation and prevent the color of the garment from fading due to oxidation.
Fixing agents bind to dye molecules on the garment to enhance their stability during washing, especially for coloured or dark colours, helping to preserve the original colour of the garment.
Environmental protection and energy saving: Modern laundry products focus on environmental performance, using easily biodegradable surfactants and other ingredients to reduce the impact on the environment. The low-foaming formula reduces foam during washing, facilitates rapid bleaching, and saves water and energy.
02. Stop using this laundry detergent and laundry detergent immediately
Formaldehyde release sources: Methylisothiazolinone (MIT) and DMDM hydantoin are preservatives that may be found in some laundry products, and they can decompose to produce formaldehyde during use.
Formaldehyde is an internationally recognized Class 1 carcinogen that is colorless and has a pungent odor, but is often difficult to detect at low concentrations. Long-term exposure to formaldehyde can cause the following hazards to the body:
Respiratory irritation: Formaldehyde has a strong irritating effect on the respiratory mucosa, which may cause uncomfortable symptoms such as tearing, cough, sore throat, etc., and long-term inhalation can induce or aggravate respiratory diseases.
Skin damage: Direct exposure to formaldehyde can lead to skin problems such as dermatitis and hives, and long-term exposure can cause dryness, scaling, chapping, and even more serious skin lesions.
Systemic effects: Long-term low-dose exposure to formaldehyde can cause chronic damage to important organs such as liver and kidney, and the cumulative effect may lead to cell mutations and increase the risk of malignant tumors such as nasopharyngeal cancer, lymphoma, and leukemia.
Antimicrobial agent - triclosan: As a broad-spectrum antibacterial agent, triclosan is widely used in antibacterial soaps, shower gels, toothpastes and some cosmetics. It reacts with free chlorine present in tap water to form toxic chloroform. Although the toxicity of a single exposure is minimal, long-term accumulation can lead to health problems:
Animal studies have shown that short-term exposure to low-dose triclosan can lead to low-grade colon inflammation and may eventually exacerbate colitis, which increases the risk of colitis-related colon cancer. Due to the potential risks, many countries have banned or restricted triclosan.
Phosphorus-containing laundry detergent: After the phosphorus element discharged during the washing process of phosphorus-containing laundry detergent enters the water body, it is easy to cause eutrophication of the water body, cause algae overbloom, destroy the aquatic ecosystem, and reduce water quality.
Human Hazards: Phosphorus-based laundry detergents are a strong irritation to the skin, which can lead to dryness, peeling, chapping or inflammation. Long-term use may also interfere with calcium absorption, especially in children, and may induce bone development problems such as pediatric hypochondriasis.
Flavor allergens: Some laundry products add flavors and fragrances such as amyl cinnamaldehyde, benzyl alcohol, cinnamyl alcohol, and citral to increase their attractiveness. These ingredients can be common allergens, and for sensitive people, symptoms such as dizziness, rash, and nausea may occur after use.
Counterfeit products and hygiene problems: The market is flooded with a large number of counterfeit and shoddy laundry detergents and laundry detergents, which usually use cheap and inferior raw materials, poor production environment, and extremely poor sanitary conditions, which not only do not wash clothes, but may breed bacteria and seriously endanger the health of users.
In the face of a dazzling laundry market, as consumers, we should have a high degree of vigilance and discernment. Actively pay attention to the ingredient information of products in daily purchases to avoid making them a hidden health hazard at home.
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