Sponsor:
German Federal Environment Agency, Dessau, within the framework of the „Action Programme environment and Health“ APUG (UBA FKZ 204 61 218/05)
Realisation:
Fraunhofer Institute of Toxicology and Experimental Medicine (ITEM), Hannover,
Dr. Inge Mangelsdorf (project management), Dr. Stefan Hahn, Dr. Stephanie Melching-Kollmuß, Dr. Annette Bitsch
Hydrotox GmbH, Freiburg, Stefan Gartiser
FoBiG GmbH, Freiburg, Dr. Klaus Schneider, Jan Oltmanns, Dr. Martin Hassauer, Dr. Ulrike Schuhmacher-Wolz, Dr. Jens-Uwe Voss
Project duration:
Oktober 2004 – Oktober 2005
Abstract:
Biocide-containing products and articles are used in many application areas. To assess potential health risks, data on biocide-containing products were collected by researching the market, a screening was performed to estimate exposures, and the hazardous properties of active components were researched under this project.
Information on biocide-containing products was collected by "on-site" research, and also by researching the Internet as well as databases and lists of active substances. We found that only a limited number of commonly used active substances or groups of active substances were included in products of daily use. Twenty active substances were selected for detailed investigation. The products using these substances were subsequently classified by range of application; frame formulations were prepared. Potential exposures were then estimated using a worst-case approach in accordance with the TGD. Relevant scenarios, active substances and combinations thereof were identified. For three substances, one relevant scenario each with either ConsExpo or SprayExpo was calculated. The toxicological data for these substances were put together in substance dossiers. In addition to systemic effects, local irritations and sensitising effects deserve special attention. For risk estimation, the MOEs were determined. Critical inhalation or dermal MOEs were dominated by only a small number of scenarios: pest control using sprays, stickers or evaporators, spraying of disinfectants, cleaning of surfaces with concentrates, application of water-based paints/adhesives, or use of personal hygiene products. Additive exposure on average is by a factor of 3 higher than the highest single exposure. For children, additive exposure is maximally by a factor of 10 higher than for an adult.
In general, potential overall exposure by inhalation is smaller than via the dermal route. Detailed investigations into the risks from indoor exposure to organophosphates and into measures that may reduce such exposure are deemed appropriate. Furthermore, a detailed assessment of the sensitising effects in particular of preservatives is necessary.
Division of work
Hydrotox GmbH performed the market survey by collecting and estimating data on consumption of biocide-containing products of daily use. The Fraunhofer Institute of Toxicology and Experimental Medicine elaborated the modelling of total exposure of several biocidal active substances. FoBiG GmbH assessed the health risks resulting from exposure.
Further information
The results have been published in several German and English spoken journals. The most detailed version is given in Hahn et al.: Consumer exposure to biocides - identification of relevant sources and evaluation of possible health effects. Environmental Health 9:7 (2010). 
Full text available.
The final report (215 pages plus around 400 pages documentation) will be published at the APUG-website. A 20-pages short version can be downloaded here.
Contact Person
Dr. Stefan Gartiser (
gartiser(at)hydrotox.de, Tel: +49-(0)761-45512-24)