Prohibition of dangerous cleaning agents

Turkish detergents prohibited by the Federal Environmental Agency: Detergents too corrosive and hazardous to health.

The cleaning agent „Por Çöz“ was banned by the Federal Environmental Agency (UBA) after consultation with the Federal Institute for Risk Assessment (BfR). For the first time, the UBA has made use of a provision in the Detergent and Cleaning Act that makes such a ban possible due to demonstrable risks to the environment or health.

Contained nitric acid serious health risk
The banned detergent poses a serious health risk, because at least 20 percent nitric acid contained, so the reasoning of the UBA on the current ban. The president of the UBA, Jochen Flachsbarth stressed that „the Federal Environment Agency (...) uses (for the first time) a regulation in the detergent and cleaning law.

The law provides for a provisional ban on detergents and cleaning products if they are known to pose a risk to the environment or to health. "However, the current ban is only provisional and pending a final decision by the European Commission, added the expert. The UBA ban was preceded by a statement by the BfR according to which special cleaners with a nitric acid content of more than 20 percent represent a disproportionately high risk to health, explained the BfR President, Prof. Dr. Dr. Andreas Hensel UBA connected and obtained the current ban. „In view of the significant health hazards of the product, I expressly support UBA's approach. It seems to me urgently necessary to protect consumers nationwide from this dangerous product“, Federal Environment Minister Norbert Röttgen commented on the current steps. When using nitric acid-based cleaning products, hazardous concentrations of nitric acid and nitrous gases can form in the indoor air, which, according to BfR's model calculations, can cause serious health problems.

134 cases with serious health problems
Thus, the German Poison Information Centers have already reported to the BfR 134 cases of severe health damage caused by nitric acid-containing lime and rust removers. The cleaning agent „Por Çöz“ So far, it has mainly been available in Turkish supermarkets or at retailers of Turkish products. On the occasion of the current ban, the UBA has informed the federal states responsible for monitoring and called for these to be tightened in order to enforce the ban on importers and traders. In addition, the EU Commission and the other EU Member States have been informed so that appropriate measures can also be taken at EU level. Even with proper use, use in households can lead to the inhalation of toxic vapors and thus to life-threatening situations, warned UBA and BfR. (fp, 29.10.2010)

Image: Gisela Enders