Siloxanes - Consumption, Toxicity and Alternatives - Miljøstyrelsen

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lotions, hair-styling products, creams, lipsticks, children's makeup and deodorants
(Pedersen 2004).
According to Will et al. 2003, polydimethylsiloxanes, either linear or cyclic are
the most widely used silicones in skin-care products. According to producer
web-sites (e.g. Basildon Chemicals, UK) the same siloxanes used in hair-care
products may also be used for skin care.
Cosmetic products are in general not notified to the Product Register, and the
database retrieval only revealed a few siloxanes used for this application area.
The most common was dimethicone, polydimethyl siloxane,
poly(oxy(dimethylsilylene)) and 3-hydroxypropyl methyl etoxylated dimethylsiloxanes/silicones.
According to Allan et al. (1997) 20,000 t volatile siloxanes was used in the
USA for personal care applications in 1993. If it is assumed that the per capita
consumption is the same in Denmark, the consumption of volatile siloxanes
for this application area would be about 300 t. However, most probably it is
lower.
Based on the present information it is not possible to split the total consumption
on siloxanes of the different compounds, but the available information
indicates a significant consumption of both volatile and non-volatile siloxanes.
Fate of the siloxanes
The non-volatile siloxanes used for this application area will mainly be discharged
with wastewater and may constitute a major part of the sources of
siloxanes in wastewater.
The volatile cyclosiloxanes used in cosmetic products are meant to evaporate
during use and will mainly be emitted to the air. Based on American experience
92% of the volatile siloxanes should be emitted to the air (Allan et al.
1997).
2.2.5 Cleaning agents and maintenance agents
Silicone fluids are widely used in polishes and waxes for paints (e.g. car wax),
rubber, plastics, silverware, leather products, etc. Silicones improve the ease
of application of the wax and polish, provide water repellence and produce a
quick shine.
Besides, siloxanes are used in smaller amounts in different types of cleaning
agents and in softeners for laundry.
Consumption
According to the data from the Danish Product Register the total content in
cleaning and maintenance products on the market amounts to approx. 47
t/year (Table 2.4). The main registered application areas are in polishes and
waxes. However, only a part of the products may be registered in the Product
Register, and the actual consumption may be significantly higher, e.g. as defoamers
in different cleaning agents. The total amount of siloxanes as defoaming
agents registered in the Product Register is 85 t, but it is not specified
in which products the defoaming agents are used.
The market report by Will et al. (2003) does not specifically provide information
on the W. European consumption of silicones for waxes and polishes, but