Latest news with #Labelling
RTÉ News
2 days ago
- Health
- RTÉ News
Could household cleaning products end up dirtying indoor air?
Analysis: When we clean, the goal is to remove dirt and germs, but in the process, we often introduce harmful chemicals into the air Household cleaning products are among the most widely used consumer goods, found in nearly every home. Their use, along with disinfectants, saw a marked rise during the pandemic. As early as 3000 BCE, ancient Egyptians used soda as a detergent, and Romans employed urine (which contains ammonia) for textile cleaning. While using chemicals for cleaning is not new, today's widespread use of these products, containing of a wide range of synthetic compounds has introduced new risks. Regulations like the 2008 Classification, Labelling, and Packaging regulation in the EU have aimed to improve safety. However, more awareness and action are needed to protect public health. When we clean, the goal is to remove dirt and germs. But in the process, we often introduce harmful chemicals into the air. Cleaning products, including disinfectants, frequently contain surfactants, acids, bases, and synthetic fragrances. Historically, some formulations included concerning substances like chloroform and endocrine-disrupting chemicals such as phthalates and cyclosiloxanes, though EU regulations have significantly restricted these substances in consumer products to concentrations below 0.1%. Awareness however is warranted since there may be risks associated with cumulative accumulation of some of these chemical. When applied to surfaces, these products gradually emit volatile and semi-volatile organic compounds (VOCs, SVOCs). These emissions can also trigger the formation of fine particulate matter by reacting with other chemicals in indoor air. The result is a mix of pollutants that lingers in the air, long after cleaning is done. For example, spraying cleaning products can release fine particles and gases directly into the air. While larger particles settle quickly on to surfaces, contributing to emissions from surfaces, the smaller particles remain suspended and can be inhaled. Regular use of spray based cleaning products is considered a greater risk than other types of cleaning products, leading to higher frequency of respiratory symptoms. Even "green" or "natural" products, often marketed as safer alternatives, can emit harmful chemicals. Essential-oil-based cleaners, for instance, contain terpenes, like limonene. Limonene is a common fragrance ingredient and one of the most abundant indoor pollutants. We associate it with that fresh lime or lemon smell. Limonene use must comply with allergen labelling requirements in the EU. Limonene reacts with ozone in the air to form formaldehyde and other secondary pollutants. The concentrations of the pollutants thus reached may reduce at a very slow pace, depending on the ventilation in homes. These reactions can also lead to the creation of particulate matter and photochemical smog indoors, further degrading air quality. Studies have found that cleaning in the afternoon, when outdoor ozone levels are higher, can worsen this effect, with pollutant concentrations remaining elevated for hours. The health implications of exposure to cleaning products are well-documented. Professional cleaners endure a lot higher exposure due to their occupation. This has been linked to increased risks of asthma, rhinitis, and respiratory symptoms. At home, even though the exposure is lesser, regular use of cleaning products have been associated with asthma onset and asthma-like symptoms. Skin contact with cleaning agents can cause irritation, especially when protective clothing is not used. For home scenarios, a 90-minute cleaning session, once a week, may not raise a concern about chronic exposure. During the cleaning, there can be risks related to acute exposures, even to some trace elements in the products or due to secondary formation of chemicals. The first symptoms are often irritation of the respiratory tract (nose and throat) and eyes. From RTÉ Radio 1's The Ray D'Arcy Show, Laura de Barra's guide to deep cleaning your kitchen Children are particularly vulnerable. Exposure to cleaning products has been known to affect lung function, cause airway obstruction, and trigger inflammation in children. Spray cleaners, in particular, can be especially harmful due to their ability to disperse fine particles and chemicals in a form that can be breathed deep into the respiratory system. While "green" cleaning products are often marketed as safer, research shows that they are not always free from harmful emissions. However, fragrance-free products tend to emit fewer VOCs compared to conventional cleaning products. Improving indoor air quality requires not only better product formulations but also increased public awareness. Clear labeling, education on safe cleaning practices, and stricter regulations on hazardous substances can all help. By making informed choices and adopting safer cleaning habits, we can reduce our exposure to harmful chemicals and create healthier indoor environments for ourselves and our families. Here are some specific, practical steps to follow: Read Labels: Look for products with clear ingredient lists and avoid those containing essential oils, phthalates and formaldehyde. Choose: Prefer fragrance-free or low-VOC cleaning products and not just "natural" products. At home, you can also choose ready-to-use products instead of ones that need to be diluted before every use. Avoid Sprays: Use liquid or wipe-based cleaners instead of sprays to minimise inhalation risks. Protection: Wear gloves while cleaning and use appropriate respiratory protection. The latter is especially important for professionals. Ventilate: Open windows and/or doors, use exhaust fans during and after cleaning to dilute the indoor pollutants. Timing Matters: Where possible, clean when the space is not occupied and finish several hours beforehand to allow the pollutants to dissipate. For schools and offices, this could mean cleaning after hours. At home, clean in the morning when outdoor ozone levels are lower to reduce the formation of secondary pollutants.
Malaysian Reserve
02-05-2025
- Health
- Malaysian Reserve
No summons during grace period for medicine price display, says MOH
PUTRAJAYA — The Health Ministry (MOH) does not intend to issue any fines or notices to private healthcare facilities that fail to display medicine prices during the three-month grace period. Health deputy director-general (Pharmaceutical Services) Dr Azuana Ramli said the Price Control and Anti-Profiteering (Price Labelling for Medicines) Order 2025, which came into force on May 1, would initially focus on educational aspects to ensure all stakeholders understand the new requirements. 'During these three months, there are no plans to issue any summons. This phase is focused on advocacy and monitoring how the implementation is being carried out,' she said at a briefing session on the Medicine Price Display initiative here today. Also present was Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Ministry (KPDN) Enforcement director-general Datuk Azman Adam. Under the order, all private healthcare facilities and community pharmacies must display clear price labels for medicines, either on shelves, in catalogues or in written price lists. Azuana said that during these three months, monitoring would be led by the MOH's Pharmaceutical Services Division, supported by KPDN enforcement officers. Asked whether the initiative constitutes price control, she clarified that it aims to enhance price transparency under the Price Control and Anti-Profiteering Act 2011, and not about controlling medicine prices. Meanwhile, Azman refuted claims by a private doctors' group that KPDN officers issued three-day warning notices to clinics yesterday. He explained that the enforcement team was in the area for inspections related to cooking gas and egg supplies, and happened to ask a clinic staff member about the implementation of the price display rule. 'No notices or summonses were issued,' he said. Asked about the possibility of price manipulation in response to the regulation, Azman expressed confidence in the industry's maturity. The medicine price display initiative aims to enhance price transparency, protect consumer and patient rights, improve the quality of healthcare services, promote healthy industry competition, and support informed decision-making by consumers. — BERNAMA
The Sun
02-05-2025
- Health
- The Sun
No summons during grace period for medicine price display
PUTRAJAYA: The Health Ministry (MOH) does not intend to issue any fines or notices to private healthcare facilities that fail to display medicine prices during the three-month grace period. Health deputy director-general (Pharmaceutical Services) Dr Azuana Ramli said the Price Control and Anti-Profiteering (Price Labelling for Medicines) Order 2025, which came into force on May 1, would initially focus on educational aspects to ensure all stakeholders understand the new requirements. 'During these three months, there are no plans to issue any summons. This phase is focused on advocacy and monitoring how the implementation is being carried out,' she said at a briefing session on the Medicine Price Display initiative here today. Also present was Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Ministry (KPDN) Enforcement director-general Datuk Azman Adam. Under the order, all private healthcare facilities and community pharmacies must display clear price labels for medicines, either on shelves, in catalogues or in written price lists. Azuana said that during these three months, monitoring would be led by the MOH's Pharmaceutical Services Division, supported by KPDN enforcement officers. Asked whether the initiative constitutes price control, she clarified that it aims to enhance price transparency under the Price Control and Anti-Profiteering Act 2011, and not about controlling medicine prices. Meanwhile, Azman refuted claims by a private doctors' group that KPDN officers issued three-day warning notices to clinics yesterday. He explained that the enforcement team was in the area for inspections related to cooking gas and egg supplies, and happened to ask a clinic staff member about the implementation of the price display rule. 'No notices or summonses were issued,' he said. Asked about the possibility of price manipulation in response to the regulation, Azman expressed confidence in the industry's maturity. The medicine price display initiative aims to enhance price transparency, protect consumer and patient rights, improve the quality of healthcare services, promote healthy industry competition, and support informed decision-making by consumers.
Malay Mail
30-04-2025
- Health
- Malay Mail
Putrajaya confirms drug price display regulation in effect tomorrow — here's what that entails
PUTRAJAYA, April 30 – The government has confirmed today that private healthcare facilities and community pharmacies will be required to display medicine prices starting May 1 under a new government initiative aimed at improving transparency and consumer choice. The Ministry of Health (MOH) and the Ministry of Domestic Trade and Cost of Living (KPDN) said the move aligns with the government's policy to enhance public access to price information under the Medicine Price Transparency Mechanism. 'The objective is to empower the public with informed choices by enabling them to know, compare, and select the best prices when planning their spending on medicines,' both ministries said in a joint statement. The enforcement will be carried out under the Price Control and Anti-Profiteering (Price Labelling for Medicines) Order 2025, issued pursuant to the Price Control and Anti-Profiteering Act 2011. The details of the requirement are as follows: Applies to all private healthcare providers regulated under the Private Healthcare Facilities and Services Act 1998. Also applies to community pharmacies involved in selling, supplying, or administering medicines. Covers all medicines for human use, including prescription and over-the-counter drugs, traditional remedies, health supplements, and custom-made preparations. Medicines available on display must carry visible price tags. Medicines kept behind the counter must have prices listed in a physical or digital format accessible to consumers. The first three months will focus on education and awareness to help healthcare providers adapt gradually, the ministries said, adding that inspections will be carried out with a focus on advocacy and compliance support. MOH will lead the enforcement effort with assistance from KPDN, both acting in coordination to ensure proper implementation of the labelling rules. Consumers seeking further information can visit or send queries to [email protected]. Complaints about medicine pricing can be submitted through MOH's SISPAA portal or KPDN's eAduan platform.
