New campaign launched to highlight chemical dangers
Today (24 November) four male and female models came straight from their bathrooms, wrapped in towels and brandishing toiletries, to launch a new campaign called WaterSense. The WaterSense campaign highlights the problems caused by a number of chemicals in everyday household products when they are washed down the drain and enter rivers, lochs and the sea.
Toiletries such as shampoo, deodorant and even perfume and toothpaste, which are all washed down the drain after baths and showers, can contain harmful chemicals that hang around in the water environment for a long time. These chemicals can also build up in the bodies of wildlife and some cause reproductive problems.
Research commissioned by the campaign* shows a widespread lack of awareness amongst consumers about what actually happens to water when it goes down the drain. Even amongst those who are most concerned about environmental issues, one third does not know what happens to water after it reaches the drain.
“The message of the WaterSense campaign is very simple - be careful what products you choose to use round the house and in the bathroom – as they all end up down the drain. Some of these household cleaners and toiletries contain chemicals that should not be unleashed into the water environment,” said WaterSense Campaign Co-ordinator Miranda Jacques-Turner.
“As much as possible we should switch to greener, more eco-friendly products and toiletries as they perform just as well as their chemical counterparts and don’t harm aquatic life. We can all make a real difference in reducing the number harmful chemicals that enter our watercourses and affect our seas, lochs and rivers.”
Consumers can visit the brand new website at www.watersense.org.uk to find out what’s in their favourite products and to get practical advice on safer alternatives.
Two of the chemicals under scrutiny in toiletries are phthalates and triclosan. Phthalates can be found in products such as shampoos, moisturisers and perfumes. They have been linked to reproductive problems in wildlife and can build up in the bodies of animals.
Triclosan is an antibacterial ingredient found in such unlikely products as toothpaste, deodorants and soap. It is estimated that a staggering 90 tonnes of triclosan goes into consumer and household products in the UK every year. Triclosan builds up in the environment and is toxic to aquatic life. It has been found in the bodies of fish and in human breast milk. In the last few years, government authorities in Sweden, Denmark, Finland and Germany have issued press statements discouraging people from using antibacterial household and personal hygiene products. Concerns have also been raised about the potential for encouraging bacterial resistance and research has suggested they could even be hormone disrupters.
* Scott Porter undertook research commissioned
by the WaterSense campaign in November 2005. 100 people who already had
an interest
and some knowledge of environmental issues were interviewed by telephone.
Awareness that toiletries can be a problem for the water environment
and species was very low with only 11% considering that shampoo could
cause a problem in rivers and lochs and 5% handwash. Shower gel, toothpaste
and perfumes were not mentioned as potential pollutants
For further information please contact WWF Scotland: phone 01350 728200, email info@watersense.org.uk, or write to WaterSense, c/o WWF Scotland, Little Dunkeld, Dunkeld, PH8 0AD