Every day, people use clothes dryers without thinking about the potential dangers they pose. One of the biggest dangers is lint, but not in the way you would think. Lint that accumulates after drying clothes can be flammable creating a potential for fires, but it can also be toxic. Lint contains quite a long list of chemicals that come from fabric softeners & dryer sheets, clothing, and environmental factors found in clothing. The main concern here is the chemicals from dryer sheets and softeners. These sheets are covered with a waxy material that may smell nice and get your clothes soft, but when the sheets are broken down by the heat of the dryer, they release harmful chemicals and these chemicals get trapped in lint and is released in the air. The same holds true for the liquid softeners you put into your rinse cycle. The chemicals absorb into your clothing and are released during the drying process.
According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and industry-generated Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS) “ the following is a list of chemicals in fabric softener products, most in untested combinations.
• Benzyl acetate: Linked to pancreatic cancer.
• Benzyl Alcohol: Upper respiratory tract irritant.
• Ethanol: On the EPA’s Hazardous Waste list and can cause central nervous system disorders.
• Limonene: Known carcinogen.
• A-Terpineol: Can cause respiratory problems, including fatal edema, and central nervous system damage.
• Ethyl Acetate: A narcotic on the EPA’s Hazardous Waste list.
• Camphor: Causes central nervous system disorders.
• Chloroform: Neurotoxic, anesthetic and carcinogenic.
• Linalool: A narcotic that causes central nervous system disorders.
• Pentane: A chemical known to be harmful if inhaled. “
The solution? If you like using dryer sheets try brands like Method, Seventh Generation, Mrs. Meyers, Caldrea, or Whole Foods. Trader Joe’s sells Lavender pouches to dry with your clothes (you can also make your own). A natural way to soften fabric and reduce static is to add vinegar to the wash (but never mix vinegar and bleach!) Why Use Vinegar Instead of Fabric Softener
