Energy Saving LampsNon-human primatesPersonal Music Players & HearingPhthalates in school suppliesSunbeds & UV radiationDental AmalgamsTooth Whiteners
Clear Summaries of Scientific Reports on

Consumer safety

Some consumer products may entail risks if used inappropriately. Are all tooth filling materials equally safe? Is bleaching one’s teeth without risk? Are sunbed users at a higher risk of developing skin cancer? Can using an MP3 player threaten my hearing?

Such, and similar questions have been addressed by various scientific panels.

See also Food & Lifestyle, Chemical substances, and Risks of new technologies.

Co-Publication produced under contract with the European CommissionEnergy-Saving Lamps & Health (SCENIHR, 2008)
Energy Saving Lamps

Currently, conventional incandescent lamps are in the process of being replaced with more energy-efficient lamps, mainly compact fluorescent lamps (CFLs). Fluorescent light has been used for many years in overhead fluorescent tubes without causing any problems. Nevertheless, certain “light sensitive” citizens’ associations have voiced concerns about compact fluorescent lamps.

Do these energy-saving lamps aggravate the symptoms in patients with certain diseases? More...

Summary available in [de] [en] [es] [fr

Co-Publication produced under contract with the European CommissionNon-human primates in research and safety testing (SCHER, 2009)
Non-human primates

Because of their genetic similarities to humans, more than 100 000 monkeys and apes are used every year around the world for biomedical research and for testing the safety of new drugs.

Are there alternatives to the use of non-human primates in research and testing? Would it be feasible to stop using them altogether? More...

Summary available in [de] [en] [es] [fr

Co-Publication produced under contract with the European CommissionPersonal Music Players & Hearing (SCENIHR, 2008)
Personal Music Players & Hearing

In recent years, sales of personal music players have soared and an increasing proportion of the population, particularly young people, is exposed to high sound volumes.

In the light of current scientific knowledge, can the use of personal music players damage hearing? More...

Summary available in [de] [en] [es] [fr

Co-Publication produced under contract with the European CommissionPhthalates in school supplies (SCHER, 2008)
Phthalates in school supplies

Some school supplies, such as erasers, contain phthalates – substances that are added to plastics to make them soft.

Can regularly chewing on such articles cause harmful health effects? More...

Summary available in [de] [en] [es] [fr

Co-Publication produced under contract with the European CommissionSunbeds & UV radiation (SCCP, 2006)
Sunbeds & UV radiation

In addition to natural sunlight, sunbed users expose themselves to substantial amounts of artificial UV radiation.
The European Commission Scientific Committee on Consumer Products assessed the health and safety implications of both natural and artificial UV radiation? More...

Summary available in [de] [en] [es] [fr

Co-Publication produced under contract with the European CommissionTooth filling materials Dental amalgams & alternative materials (SCENIHR, 2008)
Dental Amalgams

Dental amalgams containing mercury have long been used as a tooth filling material, but alternative tooth-coloured materials are increasingly used. How safe and effective are different tooth filling materials? More...

Summary available in [de] [en] [es] [fr

Co-Publication produced under contract with the European CommissionTooth Whiteners & Oral Hygiene Products containing hydrogen peroxide (SCCP, 2007)
Tooth Whiteners

To date, millions of tooth whitening kits have been sold across the world to consumers seeking to brighten their smiles. The whitening ingredient in these products is hydrogen peroxide.

Are toothpastes, mouth-rinses and tooth whitening products containing hydrogen peroxide safe? Should they be freely available to consumers? More...

Summary available in [de] [en] [es] [fr