Harmful substances in DIY products

The Danish EPA has issued an enforcement notice to withdraw two DIY products from the market because they contain substances with adverse health effects. The notice was given following a DHI risk assessment.

The two products, both indoor paints, contain the substance 2-ethylhexanoic acid. Almost a month after use of the products it was possible to detect substance degassing concentrations that were too high. The substance may harm the unborn child.

The products were examined in connection with a survey of products for DIY projects*. Six product categories were examined, including paints and lacquers, fillers, primers and adhesives. Twenty products were analysed for degassing of volatile chemical substances. Based on the analytical results 10 products were selected for further risk assessment regarding consumer use.

Insufficient consumer information
The DIY products are for sale in hardware stores, paint shops and similar. It is often difficult for consumers to obtain sufficient information about the products at the points of sale or from safety data sheets.

The degassing analyses were performed by the Danish Technological Institute and the risk assessment was carried out by DHI.

For more information, please contact:

Poul Bo Larsen 
pbl@remove-this.dhigroup.remove-this.com
Tel +45 4516 9478

 

*The report is in Danish, but summary and conclusion in English on page 12-16