Deodorant is most commonly used in spraying form. It keeps away odors and allows you to go about with confidence. Many deodorants come in spray cans, but some wonder if this harms the environment. The answer to this question depends on many factors, such as what spray deodorant contains.
Is spray deodorant bad for the environment? According to some studies, some of them can seriously damage ozone and your lungs.
The researchers found several types of aerosol deodorants and hairsprays damage the ozone layer.
What kinds of common chemicals does spray deodorant consist of?
Some of the most common chemicals in deodorant cans may include:
- Alcohols such as SD alcohol, benzyl alcohol, and denatured alcohol. A number of them are irritating to the skin and eyes, with a strong potential for abuse.
- Butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT) is used as an antioxidant.
- Camphor is a strong astringent and can cause irritation to the skin, eyes, and lungs.
- Chlorophenol is potentially harmful to health. It can damage the kidneys, liver, and reproductive system. They are also carcinogenic. Chlorophenols may cause cancerous changes in the organs once the skin absorbs them.
- Citrus terpenes are preservatives used in aerosol hairsprays and deodorants. They can cause respiratory problems and heart abnormalities.
- Diethanolamine (DEA) is a solvent, stabilizer, emulsifier, and foaming agent used in cosmetics. It has been associated with liver cancer if it is absorbed by the skin or inhaled as a spray.
- Ethyl alcohol may harm the eye, skin, and respiratory tract.
- Ethylene oxide is widely used to manufacture antifreeze, brake fluid, and other chemicals. It can cause cancer and nerve damage.
- Phenol is a toxic substance that irritates the skin and eyes. Phenols may cause kidney and liver damage, and they are carcinogenic to animals.
- Zinc ricinoleate is a possible skin irritant, which may have negative effects on health.
- Parabens are used as preservatives in food and pharmaceuticals. However, they can affect the body’s hormonal system.
- Formaldehyde can be used in liquid form or vaporized to create a mist. It is known for being carcinogenic and toxic to humans. However, you are most likely exposed to it through cosmetics that contain it rather than aerosol sprays.
- Nitrous oxide, or laughing gas, is used in aerosols to produce a mist.
Some of the above chemicals have been linked to breast cancer. Animal studies showed that mice who got BHT had more tumors in their mammary glands than others. In addition, rats fed large amounts of camphor developed cancers in their lungs and kidneys.
Parabens are a form of weak estrogen that mimics the hormone in the body and can disrupt its functions. They have been shown to cause allergic reactions in many people with sensitive skin, and parabens have been detected in breast cancer tissues. In addition, animal studies found they may damage the male reproductive system if exposure is high.
Formaldehyde is a carcinogen, has been linked to leukemia, and is considered by the National Cancer Institute as reasonably anticipated to be a human carcinogen.
Triclosan is an antibacterial chemical that can kill bacteria or alter their functions, with possible implications for drug resistance. It was banned in Minnesota because of potentially harmful effects, and it is very difficult to remove from the body.
In addition, some of them are known endocrine disruptors that can interfere with your hormonal systems and cause effects such as early menstrual periods, breast development in males, and delayed or incomplete puberty. In addition, they may increase your risk for many other problems.
See Related: Best Books on Pollution
Does spray deodorant contain VOCs?
Yes, they do. Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) are gases that easily evaporate at room temperature and usually contain carbon atoms. They may harm human health and the environment because they can damage the lungs and irritate your body’s eyes, skin, and other organs.
Both animal studies and experiments have shown that exposure to volatile organic compounds can cause cancer and affect the immune system.
See Related: Is Resin Bad for the Environment?
Since spray deodorants contain volatile organic compounds, are they considered aerosol sprays?
Yes, it is. Consumer aerosol products contain harmful chemicals inhaled by the user and emit volatile organic compounds into the environment. In addition, they may be harmful to plants, animals, and human beings.
Some of these chemicals have been banned in Europe because of their adverse effects on people’s health. When aerosols are sprayed, a cloud of chemicals in a fine mist is released into the air.
If you inhale the aerosol, it enters your bloodstream and causes problems such as asthma. In addition, when burned or go into the water, they produce harmful pollutants that may contaminate water and damage aquatic species. Aerosol spray cans are usually made of aluminum, which is not easily degradable. They take about 200 years to decompose completely in landfills.
Undesirable health effects may occur when you breathe in the chemicals released into the air when aerosol products are sprayed or burned. The most common reactions include headache, nausea, vomiting, mouth or throat dryness, or nosebleeds.
As you can see, spray deodorants contain harmful chemicals which may cause serious adverse effects on your health and the environment.
It is recommended to use natural deodorants rather than aerosol sprays to prevent possible problems such as early puberty, breast cancer, and damage to the reproductive system.
See Related: Best Energy Efficient Fire Places
Spray deodorant and its effect on the environment.
The aerosol spray cans are not the only concern for those who want to avoid harmful chemicals. Many of these ingredients are also in solid deodorants since they dissolve easily in water. When you consider that most users apply these products daily all year, it’s easy to see that their effect on the environment is significant.
Garbage cans are filled with aerosol spray cans, which can enter the water cycle and harm animals who mistake them for food. You may have noticed how dogs love chewing any plastic or rubber they can get to—this habit can be very dangerous because it exposes them to harmful chemicals.
However, not all types of spray deodorants are bad for the environment. It all depends on what chemicals they contain.
The most common chemicals in spray cans are alcohol and silicones—made from petroleum products. These can evaporate into the air, leaving behind harmful residue to breathe.
Also, when you spray deodorant in an enclosed space, the chemicals in them are concentrated. This increases your exposure to them in a harmful way.
See Related: Best Sustainable Shoes for Different Occasions
What are CFC-free aerosol sprays?
Cfc stands for chlorofluorocarbon, an ozone-depleting chemical in many aerosol spray cans. It is the key component that helps the propellant in spray cans to dissolve into liquid form, which is then sprayed out of the can.
However, CFCs are ozone-depleting chemicals that destroy the ozone layer in the stratosphere, which protects all life on Earth from the sun’s ultraviolet radiation. They also promote poor indoor air quality. Besides the CFC, other ozone-depleting chemicals contribute to global warming.
Since their use was banned by the Montreal Protocol of 1987, by regulating consumer products, aerosol sprays have begun being phased out of production. The most modern spray deodorants are CFC-free—and, therefore, environmentally friendly on the ozone layer.
They’re still made with chemicals that may harm your health, but they don’t contain CFCs like the aerosol spray cans produced that will destroy the ozone layer. However, this does not mean you should use them without caution. Always be mindful when choosing the right consumer products.
See Related: Best States for Sustainable Living
How many aerosol cans are being disposed of in the garbage daily?
The Environmental Protection Agency has reported that the United States throws away 1 billion cans yearly. The average person uses between ten and thirty cans of deodorant every year. This means that over 9 billion cans are disposed of in trash bins each year, which can contaminate water sources like rivers by entering through the drainage system.
You may think this is not a big deal since only half of them are being recycled—but this still leaves four billion cans that will end up in a landfill.
As you can see, spray deodorants may have many harmful side effects. It’s always best to go for the natural alternatives whenever possible.
See Related: Why Should We Care About Climate Change?
What is a good alternative to spray deodorant?
Many organic spray deodorants have been proven to be better for the environment and human health. Even though they contain chemicals, they don’t harm as much as those in aerosol sprays.
The difference is that organic spray deodorants use essential oils instead of chemicals to kill bacteria. That means there’s no fragrance or harmful ingredients in them.
Organic spray deodorants are made with a base of aloe vera, which has antibacterial properties. They can be used by both men and women, even those with sensitive skin.
You can find these products at most natural food stores. But if you live in an area where this store is not present, it’s easy to find them online. The only issue with organic spray deodorants is that they are more expensive than their chemical counterparts because they do not contain cheap chemicals.
In conclusion, you have seen that using spray deodorant can be bad for your health and the environment if it contains harmful chemicals.
The zinc found in the spray can be very toxic to animal and plant life. Although spray-on deodorants don’t emit as much as an aerosol spray as they do a fine mist, they still affects those close to them.
Evaporation also occurs, accelerating transport away from the initial point of release. Contacting the skin is not recommended at all either because that means that these chemicals will then be absorbed directly into your bloodstream. And cause some health problems.
Besides these chemicals, aerosol cans contribute to more garbage since it’s hard to recycle. You should try a natural alternative such as organic spray deodorants—you might be surprised at how well they work!
See Related: Are Biodegradable Balloons Bad for the Environment?
FAQs
Is spray deodorant safe for the environment?
Spray deodorant can harm the environment due to its use of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) that contribute to air pollution and the depletion of the ozone layer. Additionally, the aerosol packaging of spray deodorants can be difficult to recycle and contribute to waste in landfills. Alternative deodorant options that are more environmentally friendly, such as roll-on or solid deodorants, are recommended.
Which is better for the environment: roll on or spray deodorant?
Roll-on deodorant is a better choice for the environment than spray deodorant. Roll-on deodorants come in recyclable packaging and typically contain fewer harmful chemicals than spray deodorants. Additionally, spray deodorants release volatile organic compounds (VOCs) into the air, contributing to air pollution and potentially harming the environment.
Is spraying deodorant harmful?
Spraying deodorant can be harmful to both the environment and human health. Many deodorants contain chemicals such as aluminum, parabens, and phthalates that can be harmful when inhaled or absorbed through the skin. Additionally, the aerosol propellants used in spray deodorants can contribute to air pollution and climate change.
Does deodorant pollute the environment?
Deodorant is a personal hygiene product designed to mask body odor. Deodorants themselves are not a significant source of environmental pollution. However, some deodorants contain chemicals that can contribute to air pollution and climate change. For example, some aerosol deodorants contain hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs), which are potent greenhouse gases that can contribute to global warming.
Related Resources