Why you should not worry about the health hazards of industrial dyes and pigments used in consumer appliances
Consumer appliances can pose health threats because of various chemicals in the dyes and pigments used during the manufacturing process. To produce colorful products, it is essential to use dyes and pigments. Besides, the dyes and pigments, almost all other ingredients used or making consumer appliances have several chemicals. The products of everyday use have tens and thousands of chemicals. Industrial dyes and chemicals pose the biggest threat if the colors come in direct contact with humans as the toxicity can harm human health in many ways. Unlike colors used for cosmetics, food, and pharmaceuticals that follow the strict guideline of the FDA to ensure safety, the consumer appliances segment does not have any regulatory mechanism. However, since the direct interaction between humans and consumer appliances is much less than that with consumer products, the threats are consequently less.
Dyes and pigments are different
Dye is a chemical substance used for imparting color to anything from leather, paper, and textiles to plastics of all kinds including polymers and resins. The color created by using dye is permanent and does not fade due to environmental and water exposure. Most dyes are organic compounds which means that they contain carbon. Dyes can be of natural origin or manufactured by a chemical process to produce synthetic dyes. Synthetic dyes are coal tar-based products and can be harmful to human health if not used with due consideration for safety.
Pigments are finely ground solids blended in a liquid that produces inks and paints. Pigments can blend with other materials too like plastic granules to impart a specific color to it. Pigments might be organic or inorganic and the latter does not contain carbon.
The dangers posed by colors in consumer appliances – real or imagined?
Some consumer appliances that we use regularly like refrigerators, washing machines, vacuum cleaners torches, hair dryers, and cookware can pose health problems because of the paint and color ingredients used in the products. Although most of the parts of the appliances do not come in direct contact with the body, the threat of paint remains. Some paints can contain toxic chemicals that liberate vapors over a long period and contaminate the indoor air which then poses health hazards. The contaminants floating in the air can create breathing problems and are especially harmful to those suffering from asthma. It can also cause allergies and make people sick.
Chemicals of concern – fact or fiction
There is not enough study done about chemicals in dyes and pigments in consumer appliances that can adversely affect health. No consumer appliances undergo safety tests for paint quality, especially regarding VOC (Volatile Organic Compounds) content and the lack of enough authority of the federal government and the lack of regulation is enough for consumer groups to raise alarm.
Although on analysis, the dyes and pigments in consumer appliances might appear to be harmful to health, the dangers are much less considering the risk level. Fortunately, until now there have not been any reports of incidents of consumer appliances posing dangers for consumers. Therefore, you can ignore the impact of dyes and pigments when choosing any consumer appliance.