London - Scented laundry products could be releasing cancer-causing chemicals when clothes are tumble dried, research suggests.
A cocktail of chemicals were found in air emitted through vents during cycles when using both a popular liquid detergent and perfumed drier sheets.
Although the research was carried out in the US, the author of the report is convinced the same problem occurs in British homes, potentially causing headaches, asthma attacks and even seizures.
The research was carried out by Professor Anne Steinemann, an expert on the effects of pollution at the University of Washington in Seattle.
Researchers analysed the fumes emitted from tumble dryers when cycles were run with the detergent and scented drier sheets.
Analysis of the captured gases found more than 25 volatile organic compounds, including seven hazardous air pollutants, coming out of the vents.
Of those, two chemicals - acetaldehyde and benzene - are classified by the US Environmental Protection Agency as carcinogens.
The study also found similar chemicals among another 25 fragranced products tested, and all products emitted at least one chemical classified as hazardous.
The findings, published in the journal Air Quality, Atmosphere and Health, raise worrying questions about the safety of perfumed consumer products.
Professor Steinemann said the research showed that while public concern tends to focus on pollution from cars and industry, risks in the home should not be forgotten.
And, as the research suggests, this problem may not be confined to American homes.
“The detergent we used is widely used in Britain, so I have every reason to believe the situation there will be very similar,” Steinemann told the Daily Mail.
“In addition, I have been contacted by a number of people in Britain who say they suffer sickness or headaches when they are standing close to tumble dryer vents.” - Daily Mail