Study of toxicity of detergents and assessment of their safety in “in vitro” studies

Introduction. The use of gels, powders for washing various textiles ensures cleanliness and prevents the emergence and spread of infections associated with the entry of pathogens into the fabrics. As a rule, the composition of detergents includes: surface-active substances, soaps, enzymes, fragrances, preservatives, softeners, and this mixture of components can cause irritation or allergic contact dermatitis, especially in patients with dry skin and reduced barrier function. Therefore, the problem of toxicity of fabrics after washing with modern detergents becomes relevant.

The goal is to establish the toxicity parameters of modern detergents (washing powders and gels) and fabrics after washing in accordance with the requirements of MR29 FTS/4746 of December 27, 2001 and GOST 32075–2013.

Materials and methods. Toxicity of twenty one detergent (10 washing powders and 11 gels) and toxicity of different kinds of fabrics (cotton and polycotton) after washing were studied. The studies were carried out at the Institute of Disinfectology of the Federal Research Center of Hygiene named after F.F. Erisman on movable cell culture (bovine spermatozoa) on Image Analyzer AT-05.

Results. After a single wash with washing powders and gels 80 % and 4.5 % of textiles were toxic, respectively. Thus, gels are better removed from textiles after a single wash than washing powders. Thirteen of the 21 detergents studied did not meet the requirements of MR29 FTS/4746 of December 27, 2001 the minimal non-toxic dilution (MND) exceeded the maximum allowable dilution of 1:2500. After single washing of powders toxic properties have been established in 7 of 10 samples of cotton fabric and in 9 of 10 samples of polycotton fabric. In the “Daily washing” mode, it safe indices of fabrics from (70–120) % were determined for all samples of cotton and polycotton fabrics. After washing gels 1 of 11 toxic samples of cotton fabric were revealed.

Limitations. Our study lacks data on the cytotoxic effects of residual fluid after rinsing.

Conclusion. The toxicity of modern detergents and toxicity of textiles after washing in various modes were studied. It was found that of the modern detergents studied, 62 % of the samples did not comply with MR29 FTS/4746, and 38 % of the textile samples after washing did not comply with GOST 32075–2013. Toxicity of the textiles subjected to washing depended on the form of detergent and the washing mode. When washing textiles in the 30 °C mode for 30 minutes, additional two rinses (each for 30 minutes) are required.

Compliance with ethical standards. This study does not require the conclusion of a biomedical ethics committee or other documents.

Contribution:
Matrosenko M.V. – concept and design of the study, material collection and processing, statistical processing, text writing;
Bidevkina M.V. – concept and design of the study, editing, approval of the final version of the article, responsibility for the integrity of all parts of the article;
Demina Yu.V. – editing, approval of the final version of the article.

Conflict of interest. The authors declare no conflict of interest.

Acknowledgement. The research was carried out as part of the Rospotrebnadzor sectoral research program for 2024–2025 «Study on the toxicity and effectiveness of synthetic detergents and household chemicals with claimed antimicrobial properties». Reg. No. NIОCТR 122042700054-5.

Received: June 11, 2024 / Revised: September 17, 2024 / Accepted: December 3, 2024 / Published: March 31, 2025

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