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The Guardian - US
The Guardian - US
Environment
Tom Perkins

Common US consumer products release toxic compounds, new research shows

anonymous person cleaning window
The most concerning levels of VOCs are found in general purpose cleaners, art supplies and laundry detergents. Photograph: Carol Yepes/Getty Images

Some of the most common consumer products probably release 5,000 tons of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in American homes annually, new research on the dangerous class of chemicals finds.

The research, which analyzed ingredient lists across dozens of product categories, found the most concerning levels in general purpose cleaners, art supplies and laundry detergents, while the individual product that emitted the most VOCs was mothballs.

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