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1610644 
Journal Article 
Chemical emissions from residential dryer vents during use of fragranced laundry products 
Steinemann, AC; Gallagher, LG; Davis, A; Macgregor, I 
2013 
Yes 
Air Quality, Atmosphere and Health
ISSN: 1873-9318
EISSN: 1873-9326 
Springer Science+Business Media 
6 
1 (Mar 2013) 
151-156 
English 
WOS:000315357800013 
Common laundry products, used in washing and drying machines, can contribute to outdoor emissions through dryer vents. However, the types and amounts of chemicals emitted are largely unknown. To investigate these emissions, we analyzed the volatile organic compounds (VOCs) both in the headspace of fragranced laundry products and in the air emitted from dryer vents during use of these products. In a controlled study of washing and drying laundry, we sampled emissions from two residential dryer vents during the use of no products, fragranced detergent, and fragranced detergent plus fragranced dryer sheet. Our analyses found more than 25 VOCs emitted from dryer vents, with the highest concentrations of acetaldehyde, acetone, and ethanol. Seven of these VOCs are classified as hazardous air pollutants (HAPs) and two as carcinogenic HAPs (acetaldehyde and benzene) with no safe exposure level, according to the US Environmental Protection Agency. As context for significance, the acetaldehyde emissions during use of one brand of laundry detergent would represent 3% of total acetaldehyde emissions from automobiles in the study area. Our study points to the need for additional research on this source of emissions and the potential impacts on human and environmental health. 
Organic compounds in atmosphere; Atmospheric pollution and health; Ethanol; Volatile organic compound emissions; Air pollution; Atmospheric pollution; Detergents; Environmental protection; Environmental health; Emissions; Air quality; Volatile organic compounds in atmosphere; Carcinogenicity; Acetone; EPA 
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