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.
Effects of Biocides on antibiotic resistance (SCENIHR, 2009)
There is concern that this widespread use of biocides, such as disinfectants, preservatives and antiseptics, may lead to the emergence or proliferation of harmful bacteria that are resistant to both biocides and antibiotics.
In the light of current scientific evidence, can biocides lead to antibiotic resistant bacteria? More...
Summary available in [de] [en] [es] [fr]
Energy-Saving Lamps & Health (SCENIHR, 2008)
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]
Mercury in Compact Fluorescent Lamps (SCHER, 2010)
Does the mercury they contain pose a risk to consumers?
Are compact fluorescent lamps beneficial to the environment compared to other lamps? More...
Summary available in [de] [en] [es] [fr]
Non-human primates in research and safety testing (SCHER, 2009)
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]
Personal Music Players & Hearing (SCENIHR, 2008)
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]
Phthalates in school supplies (SCHER, 2008)
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]
Sunbeds & UV radiation (SCCP, 2006)
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]
Tooth filling materials Dental amalgams & alternative materials (SCENIHR, 2008)
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]
Tooth Whiteners & Oral Hygiene Products containing hydrogen peroxide (SCCP, 2007)
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]
Triclosan and Antibiotics resistance (SCCS, 2010)
Triclosan is added to many consumer goods such as cosmetics and detergents to kill microorganisms or inhibit their growth. It is a widely used disinfectant, and there is concern that this widespread use may lead to the emergence of bacteria that are resistant to both biocides and antibiotics.
Can triclosan lead to antibiotic resistant bacteria? More...
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- Personal Music Players & Hearing
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- Triclosan
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