Environmental Distribution of Personal Care Products and Their Effects on Human Health

Abstract

Personal care products (PCPs) are generally used for personal hygiene, cleaning, grooming, and beautification. These include hair and skin care products, baby care products, UV blocking creams, facial cleansers, insect repellents, perfumes, fragrances, soap, detergents, shampoos, conditioners, toothpaste, etc., thus exposing humans easily. Personal preferences related to PCPs usage frequency are highly variable and depend on socioeconomic status and lifestyle factors. The increasing availability and diversity of PCPs from the retailer outlets consequently result in higher loading of PCPs into wastewater systems and, therefore, the environment. These compounds persistently and continuously release biologically active and inactive ingredients in the atmosphere, biosphere, geosphere, and demonstrating adverse effects on human, wild, and marine life. Advanced techniques such as granular activated carbon filtration and algae-based system may help biotransformation and remove PCP contaminants from water with improved efficiency. Additionally, harmony among PCPs related regulations of different countries may encourage standard checks to control their manufacturing, sale, and distribution across the borders to ensure consumers' safety. Furthermore, all intended ingredients, their concentrations, and instructions for frequency of use as per age groups may be clearly labeled on packages of PCPs. In conclusion, the emerging environmental contaminants of PCPs and their association with the growing risks of negative effects on human health and globally on the environment emphasize the chemical-free simple lifestyle.

Keywords: Environment; Health; Personal care products; Phthalates; Toxicology; Ultraviolet filters.

Figure 1

Distribution of emerging contaminants of PCPs in the environment. (A) PCPs contaminants through bathing, showering, cleaning, and washing activities; (B) Overpopulated areas increase the environmental burden of PCPs contaminants; (C) Outdoor activities and odor contaminate air; (D) Industrial and manufacturer wastes enter municipal wastewater; (E) Biological active and inactive components enter the aquatic water; (F) Landfill leaks contaminate groundwater; (G) PCPs contaminant sorb onto sludge and sediment that leads to contamination of agriculture land and soil; (H) Photodegradation of PCPs; (I) Contamination of aquatic wildlife; (J) Manufacturers PCPs wastes directly contaminate air, soil and water systems; (K) Polluted aquatic system facilitate algae overgrowth; (L) Contaminated aquatic wildlife enters the food chain