FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Brian Sansoni, 202-662-2517 / 202-680-9327 or bsansoni@cleaning101.com

SDA: Research Article Raises False Fears About Fabric Care Products

WASHINGTON, D.C. – July 25, 2008 – Research challenging the safety of ingredients in fabric care products is deceptive and raises false fears about products that have a long record of safety and effectiveness.

The Soap and Detergent Association (SDA – www.cleaning101.com) criticized a paper published in the journal Environmental Impact Assessment Review, and surrounding publicity that represents gross distortions about fragrances and ingredients known as volatile organic compounds (VOCs), which are found in a variety of consumer products.

"The research in question is, in essence, a rehash of past studies that offers nothing useful to manufacturers, regulators or consumers," said Richard Sedlak, SDA Senior Vice President, Technical and International Affairs. "The lack of any exposure assessment greatly diminishes the significance of the alarmist warnings made by the author.

"Fragrances, volatile organic compounds and the products that contain them are not exempt from any federal health and safety laws.

"The fact is, any ingredient contributing to a hazard of a product in the workplace or the likelihood that a consumer product would cause harm, the ingredient must be identified.

"The research completely lacks a real-world risk perspective and fails to make any legitimate connection between safe product use and adverse effects upon the user."

The author also undervalues the most important information that currently exists on product labels – the safety and usage information.

"Turning fabric care labels into encyclopedias will only obscure the most meaningful information for consumers," said Ernie Rosenberg, SDA President and CEO. "Consumers can continue to use these products safely and effectively, as they have for years."

# # #

The Soap and Detergent Association (www.cleaning101.com), the Home of the U.S. Cleaning Product and Oleochemical Industries®, is the non-profit trade association representing manufacturers of household, industrial, and institutional cleaning products, their ingredients and finished packaging; oleochemical producers; and chemical distributors to the cleaning product industry. SDA members produce more than 90 percent of the cleaning products marketed in the U.S. The SDA is located at 1500 K Street, NW, Suite 300, Washington, DC 20005.