A recent study by The Danish Consumer Council has discovered that dishwasher detergents may contain suspected endocrine disruptors and other harmful chemicals.

In the study they examined the ingredients lists of 41 different dishwasher tablets, gels, pods and powders bought on the Danish market, and checked them for harmful chemicals including endocrine disruptors and substances that may harm the environment. The products included some from well-known brands such as Shine and Fairy. A full list of tested products can be found here.

The results showed that 13 of the 41 products contained a suspected endocrine disruptor, benzotriazole. 18 products contained perfumes, which can cause allergies and serve no function other than making your dishes smell nice.

Endocrine disruptors can disrupt the functioning of our sensitive hormone system. Some endocrine disrupting chemicals have been linked to health conditions such as infertility, diabetes, and obesity alongside many more. Even at low doses these harmful chemicals can contribute to our overall daily exposure, and contribute to what is known as the cocktail effect.

The study does show, however, that safer alternatives are already available, as 20 of the 41 detergents did not have unwanted chemicals listed in their ingredients.

Previous studies have also found harmful chemicals in cleaning products. You can find out more about reducing your exposure to chemicals in cleaning products here.

It’s crucial that legislators clean up their act and help protect their citizens from harmful chemicals in cleaning products and other everyday products. CHEM Trust is calling on the UK government and EU authorities to protect their citizens from harmful chemicals by introducing robust legislation to phase out the most harmful chemicals from consumer products by 2030.

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