In California alone, more than 5,000 tons were released into homes and workplaces in 2020 toxic chemicals from consumer products. These chemicals are found in commonly used products, exposing people to multiple substances that can cause cancer, birth defects or reproductive harm.

That’s according to research from the Silent Spring Institute and the University of California, Berkeley, published in the journal Environmental Science and Technology.

Products such as shampoos, body lotions, nail polish and polish removers, all-purpose cleaners, laundry detergents, and mothballs contain toxic volatile organic compounds (VOCs), chemicals that escape as gases, accumulate in indoor air, and cause a variety of health problems, including of cancer.

Companies are mostly not required to disclose what their products contain or in what percentage, so it is difficult to know what people may be exposed to and the potential health effects.

“This study is the first to reveal the extent to which toxic VOCs are used in everyday products of all types, which could lead to serious health problems,” notes lead author Christine Knox, a scientist at the Silent Spring Institute. “Publicizing this information could give manufacturers an incentive to reformulate their products and use safer ingredients,” he adds.

The researchers focused on 33 VOCs included in California’s Prop 65 law, which requires companies selling products in California to warn consumers if their products could expose them to significant amounts of these harmful chemicals , which cause cancer, birth defects or other reproductive harm. Despite the law, the research team estimated that more than 5,000 tons of volatile chemicals listed in the law were released from products in the state of California in 2020.

The analysis revealed that more than 100 types of products contain these substances. Of these, the researchers focused on 30, including twelve different types of personal care products, which warrant special attention because they often contain harmful chemicals and may pose the greatest health risks. These include formaldehyde found in nail polish, shampoo, makeup and other personal care products.

Moreover, the products used in workplaces are of particular concern, the study authors note, as workers often use many different types of products that contain hazardous chemicals.

The researchers highlight the types of products manufacturers should reformulate to replace toxic VOCs with safer ingredients. They also recommend that the US Environmental Protection Agency consider legislation for five additional chemicals.