Many everyday products, from shampoo and sunscreen to baby lotion and household cleaners, may contain chemicals that are not listed on their labels, a new study has found.
The study, published in the journal Environment & Health, tested 113 personal care and cleaning products. Researchers found that 98 per cent contained at least one chemical that was not disclosed on the label.
Even more worrying, 85 per cent contained at least one undisclosed chemical that is known or suspected to cause health problems.
The findings raise questions about how much consumers can trust product labels when choosing what to put on their skin or use around their homes.
People often check labels for words such as “natural”, “organic”, “non-toxic”, “phthalate-free” or “hypoallergenic” because these terms can make a product appear safer.
But the researchers found that the reality was sometimes different.
Some products advertised as “100 per cent natural” contained synthetic chemicals. Phthalates were also detected in some products labelled “phthalate-free”, while some products marketed as “hypoallergenic” contained known allergens.
This does not mean that every product tested is dangerous or that people should stop using personal care and cleaning products.
The researchers also stressed that finding an undisclosed chemical does not automatically mean a manufacturer deliberately added it or misled consumers.
Some chemicals can enter products accidentally through raw materials, manufacturing equipment, packaging or chemical reactions during production. Storage conditions can also play a role.
However, the researchers say the findings show why checking ingredient lists alone may not always be enough.
They are calling for more testing of finished products to identify chemicals that may not appear on labels. This could also help manufacturers detect contamination and improve their quality-control systems.
The issue matters because many people use several personal care products every day. Someone might use shampoo, body lotion, deodorant, sunscreen and cosmetics, while also being exposed to chemicals from household cleaning products.
Repeated exposure to some chemicals may be a concern, especially those linked to hormone disruption, reproductive problems, or allergic reactions.
Still, the study did not prove that the chemicals detected caused illness. It also did not determine how much of each chemical consumers were exposed to or whether the levels were high enough to cause harm.
The researchers say more studies are needed to understand the possible long-term effects.
