It is undeniable that chemicals are used for several benefit in many different forms related to human life especially for the everyday products from extremely hazardous pesticide, deodorizer, floor cleaning solution to sanitary products. Also, there are some unbelievably dangerous products like liquid correction fluid, liquid soap, shampoo and dishwashing liquid which all of these are composed of the same chemicals. It can also be accumulated in the body and became cancer-causing substance which is highly dangerous to health.

However, there has attempt to give out information about the hazard of these chemicals when not used correctly in everyday life but it seems as if they fail to raise public awareness. The convinience in everyday life that comes from the benefit of using them makes people forget about the bad consequences caused by misuse.

1.7 million tons of chemicals imports in container at only one port

The popularity of this everyday convenience products make a massive sale in the market and it results in massive imports of initial substance for production industry. From the information by Laemchabang Port, a main port of Thailand, during 2012 – 2014 there were 1,719,602 tons of hazardous products imports to be transported to industrial factory all over the country and this number excluded imports through other ports. The high number of chemical substance for production means the higher effect on public health.

In addition, the report on hazardous chemical supplies during 2005-2009 by Chemical Information Management Unit (CIMU) of Center of Excellence for Environmental and Hazardous Waste Management (CE-EHWM) Chulalongkorn University supported by Thailand Research Fund, is the only research that keeps statistics on hazardous chemicals import by classifying hazardous chemicals according to the Harmonized system “The International Convention on the Harmonized Commodity Description and Coding System” or HS convention controlled by member countries. It is a global standard system to identify the chemical name and number for classified products and the system is developed by World Customs Organization: WCO. It was found that during 2015-2009, Thailand has imported hazardous chemicals in kilogram unit of 194.7 million tons, at an average of 38.9 million tons per year. The most imported chemicals are mineral fuel, mineral oil of 124.2 million tons, at an average of 24.8 million tons per year. The next top imports are fertilizer of 19.75 million tons, at an average of 3.95 million tons per year. The third is organic chemical of 18.56 million tons, at an average of 3.71 million tons per year. The total value of chemical supplies imports in 5 years is 7,055,597 million baht, at average of 1,411,119 million baht. The interesting point is that pharmaceutical products are of value 181,528 million baht, ranked at 6th, and also increased the value from 27,357 million baht in 2005 to 46,326 million baht in 2009.


FDA says existing illegally smuggled chemical supplies are harmful to consumers.

A pharmacist, Praphon Angtrakul, secretary of the board of Food and Drug Administration (FDA) said that according to Hazard Substances Act B.E. 2535, there are 4 classifications; type 1 less harmful chemicals compared to other types. It includes mosquito repellent lemongrass oil, fast dry adhesive, dishwashing liquid composed of anionic and nonionic surfactant (excluding Nonylphenol, Ethoxylate  or combination of this two substances). 



Type 2 is hazardous substance that must be notified to the authority and registered before production including liquid paper correction fluid. Type 3 includes bathroom cleaning solution containing acid or alkaline and has cationic surfactant, Larvicidal Sand Granule, pesticide spray, etc. The last type is type 4 is the prohibited hazardous substance which can cause severe effect to health and environment. The example products are DDT, Parathion which importer must be obtain a permit and register before using these substance.

“If producer or importer does not obtain the permit, they will face penalty according to the law. The control of importing these products has been exercised strictly but there is some illegally smuggled. Those smuggled product are harmful to consumers. So the public should have knowledge of how to use these product for their safety” Praphon said.




Liquid Soap, the popular product, containing hazardous chemicals banned in foreign countries

There are some products containing hazardous chemical which has been neglected. According to the information by FDA, the followings are some popular everyday product containing hazardous chemicals that should be used with caution.

1. Liquid soap is the product that is nearest to users’ body. According to the correct production principle, there should be at least 25% of soap mixed with water. However, there is no soap of this type. From the survey, it was found that liquid soap in the market contains detergent substance with other synthesized chemicals dissolved in liquid form. Detergent substance is also the main component to produce shampoo, dishwashing liquid, floor cleaning solution or even bathroom cleaning solution. The difference is in the concentration of these substances.

The effect from liquid shop can be accumulated in the long term, absorbed through skin because chemical can be absorbed through easily and quickly. It can be accumulated in eyes, brain, heart and liver that can cause health problem in the long term especially when used with products containing Amine. It can become carcinogen because of the composition of SLS (Sodium Lauryl Sulfate) and PEG (polyethylene Glycol). Several countries in Europe and America have enforced law to ban the use of such chemicals and some countries have restricted the use. However, they are still widely used in Thailand.

2. Mothball is produced into different forms, chunk, grain and crystal. The special property is that it is vaporable, giving off chemical smell to get rid or the unwanted smell or repel insects. Mostly, mothball are produced with Naphthalene, white crystal, hard and easily vaporized. This substance is harmful to human when directly inhaled or touched. Even touching mothball through clothes can cause irritation of eyes, nose, throat and skin. If it is swallowed, it can cause headache, nausea, vomiting, confusion and irritation of stomach and intestine. If it is swallowed in considerable amount, it can destroy red blood cells, resulting in anemia, epically in infant, children, pregnant women and person with abnormal red blood cells disorder.

FDA found fabric softener in market contaminated with hazardous chemicals


3. Fabric softener is among the popular everyday product containing oil to soften, to prevent static electricity making it easier to iron, to decrease the wrinkle in the fabric, to reduce the potential stain and to get less wet. This oil will remain in the fabric even after washed and ironed. It can be absorbed through skin or inhaled all the time. Moreover, fabric softener are composed of more hazardous chemicals like Ethyl acetate, Benzyl acetate, Benzyl alcohol and Chloroform. The appropriate use of these chemicals should be controlled because it is toxic to body, respiratory system, nervous system and can cause irritation. It can also lead to dizziness, liver and kidney destruction, anemia and cancer.


According to the survey by Unsafe Product Verification and Alert Center, Office of the Consumer Protection Board, the collected sample of fabric softener in minimart, stall, market and department store are contaminated with quite high amount of hazardous chemicals like Ethyl acetate, Benzyl alcohol and Benzyl acetate.  Exposure to these harmful chemicals can affect respiratory system and central nervous system. It can also cause drowsiness, dizziness and skin and eyes irritation. Inhalation of highly toxic chemical can make you lose consciousness and can cause death. Some chemical used in fabric softener is also carcinogen.


Liquid paper correction fluid is flammable and cause pheumonia when inhaled

4. Liquid paper correction fluid in general is composed of contrast media like Titanium dioxide to hide wrong word and solvent like water or easily vaporized organic solvent. It also contain chemical to help dispersion of contrast media and some colourant. The misuse of organic solvent or long-term exposure can affect health. The most used organic solvent in liquid paper correction fluid is Methylchlorohexane, colorless liquid with benzyl-like smell. It is not dissolved in water, flammable and reacts to oxidizing agent. It should not be near fire, spark or cigarette. If a fire breaks out, dry chemical extinguisher, carbon dioxide or  foam fire extinguisher must be used because water is not effective. Moreover, it should be aware not to inhale the fume or combustion of Methylchlorohexane because it is harmful to central nervous system causing nose and throat irritation, dizziness, and drowsiness. Inhaling is the most common way to expose to this chemical. Therefore, the use of liquid paper correction fluid continuously for a long time should be carried out in open air and should avoid the direct inhalation. Frequent dermal exposure to Methylchlorohexane can cause dry skin. Exposure to eye can cause conjunctivitis. Eating it can cause nausea and choking on it can cause pneumonia from chemicals.

5. Some cleaning solution and kitchen utensil cleaner contain Sodium hydroxide which is erosive and toxic to the body. The chemicals to clear clogged drain are highly erosive chemical. The inhalation should be avoided because it is extremely harmful. Additionally, the most common floor cleaning solution in every house is containing Alkylphenol ethoxylate, reported as acute toxicity of NPE. If eaten, inhaled, touched the high intensity, it can cause irritation of respiratory and alimentary epithelium and severe irritation of eyes and skin.

Nail polish remover, the unaware threat to female hormone

6. Not only that nail polish remover has a pungent smell, but it also contains Acetone. If inhaled deeply for only a short period time, it can cause sting pain to nose and eyes, dizziness, vomiting and irritation of lung and throat. The worst case is that it can disrupt female hormone and cause mentrual disorder.



7. Most mosquito repellent incense contain repellent chemical of Pyrethroids

Pyrethroids are synthesized to imitate the quality of Pyrethrins which can extracted from pyrethrum.  Pyrethroids are commonly used in mosquito repellent incense and registered with FDA, for example, D-Allethrin, Esbiothrin and Metofluthrin, etc. Pyrethroids contained in mosquito repellent incense will interfere animal nervous system making mosquito paralyzed abruptly and then they finally fall. Pyrethroids also repel mosquito by the smoke. It helps decrease the biting of mosquito and prevent mosquito to disturb in the surrounding area.

Currently, there is an attempt to change the combustion and pungent chemical smell into natural pleasant smell. Pyrethroids is generally less toxic than other groups of insect repellent chemical. The appropriate use of mosquito repellent incense according the instruction is not harmful. However, inhaled the large amount in closed area for a long period of time can cause harm where the intensity depends on the toxicity of the each type of chemical and amount of exposure. Exposure to highly toxic chemical can cause acute effect like confusion, headache, vomiting, muscular contraction, fatigue and lost of consciousness. Moreover, some might get irritation of skin resulting in itchiness and rash also it can cause eye irritation when exposed to eyes.

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