PRGR-602

Green Technologies
Systems Approach to Sustainability & Management

Week (03)
Sources of Chemicals, Humans and Buildings

Activity (02)
Assessment of my surroundings

 List and analyze three types of hazardous chemicals in your typical living
surroundings (home or work) that have potential to come in contact with skin, air,
food intake or water.
 In your analysis, mention the levels of the chemicals and possible ways to
mitigate with organic chemicals.
Hazardous Chemicals - Definition:
“A hazardous material is any item or agent (biological, chemical, radiological, and/or
physical), which has the potential to cause harm to humans, animals, or the environment,
either by itself or through interaction with other factors”. Institute of Hazardous Materials
Management (IHMM).
Examples of hazardous chemicals include:
Paints / drugs / cosmetics / cleaning chemicals / degreasers / detergents / gas cylinders /
refrigerant gases / pesticides / herbicides / diesel fuel / petrol / liquefied petroleum gas /
welding fumes / asbestos / flammable liquids / gases / corrosives / chemically reactive or
acutely (highly) toxic substances.

Hazardous Chemicals - Exposure & adverse Health Effects:

We live in an environment where hazardous chemicals are heavily present. We, as human,
can become exposed to these chemicals easily, once these hazardous chemicals are
present in the environment, through either direct or indirect contact with the chemical.
Exposure to these chemicals may cause adverse health effects, depending on the amount or
level of the chemical, the duration, and the frequency of exposure.

Hazardous Chemicals - Examples in my typical living surroundings:

As I mentioned previously, our surrounding environment is extensively rich with hazardous
chemicals,
In this report, I will analyze (3) of the many types that I found in my living surrounding,

1- Polydimethylsiloxanes (PDMS),
(Main Ingredient in Automotive Detailing & Polish Materials)

2- Per-and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS),

(Material extensively used in consumer products, with the primary purpose of water,
stain, and grease resistance)

3- Diesel Fuel (from Petroleum),

(Material used to power the Electric Generators)
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Polydimethylsiloxanes
(PDMS)
Main Ingredient in Automotive Detailing & Polish Materials

Automotive Detailing & Polish, Tools & Materials

1.1 Automotive Detailing & Polishing – Overview & Application:
Automotive detailing & Polishing is a very common process aiming to achieve a high luster
finish on vehicles. It involves polishing the body finish with a rubbing compound to clear
scratches from the surface. This is followed by the application of a glazing compound, then
the use of a wax.

In Beirut, this process is very common, and usually occurs in underground garages of
residential buildings, where ventilation is very poor. Or in gas stations, located in residential
areas, in close proximity to residential buildings.

Photos of two car-polishing garages in the surrounding where I live. (Beirut)

(1minute of walking between the two garages)

1.2 Automotive Detailing & Polishing - Hazardous Ingredients:

The most commonly found ingredients in car polishes are the following:

- Silicone: Polydimethylsiloxanes (PDMS),

- Amino-Functional Silicones and Silicone Resins
- Volatile silicones, Silicone Emulsifiers and Waxes.

In addition to:
- Solvents: Volatile silicones are often an alternative to solvents found in car polish.
- Powders: some powders contain Alcan, Sillitin, Kaopolite, and Diafil
- Emulsifiers
- Thickeners
- Petroleum Distillates
- Additives : Dies, pigments, fragrances, acrylic, polyurethane, etc.

1.3 Automotive Detailing & Polishing - Health & Environmental Hazards:

According to the “Material Safety Data Sheet” of three separate brands of car polishes, the
products can cause Health effects such as:
- Eye and skin irritations,
- In case of accidental ingestion, one should seek immediate medical attention,
- Many organic solvents found in metal polishes, are considered carcinogens,
especially when inhaled for an extended period of time,
- Can cause damage to the human central nervous system.

Moreover, the products can are harmful to the environment:

- Harmful to aquatic life (runoff should be avoided),
- Groundwater contamination.
1.4 Automotive Detailing & Polishing – Green Alternatives / Solutions:
There are many, nontoxic, environment friendly alternatives that can replace the hazardous
materials commonly used in car detailing & polish:

- Baking Soda car polish: By mixing baking soda and a little bit of water to create a
thick paste. Then rubbing the paste on the stainless steel surfaces of the car and
then cleaning with a wet cotton towel.

- Toothpaste car polish: By Wiping white toothpaste over selected section of the car,
then rubbing with a non-abrasive cloth and then cleaning with a wet towel or rag.
Then buffing the area clean with a dry cloth.

- Vinegar car polish: (for removing tarnish) By Soaking a cloth in vinegar and place
over affected area for about ten minutes. Then wiping off area with a damp rag and
then buffing the area clean with a dry cloth.

- Rust removing recipe: By rubbing the rusted area with aluminum foil. Mixing three
parts of cream of tartar with one part hydrogen peroxide. Wiping rusted areas with
the car polish mixture, and buffing off with a clean cloth once the mixture has dried.

- DIY Organic Wax: To create a post-wash shine and to get any difficult spots off the
car, by mixing lemon juice with olive oil. Two parts olive oil to every one part lemon
juice. Then using an old toothbrush and a cloth to rub this mixture into the car’s coat.
Then, do the whole wax off with a dry buffing cloth.

- VOC-free abrasive car polishes: Green products that protect the health of the user
and protect the environment. These new products meet the stringent criteria of DIN
EN ISO 11890-2, as they contain no aggressive, highly volatile solvents.
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Per-and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances
(PFAS)

Examples of Consumer & commercial Products that contain PFAS:

- Food Packages, Popcorn bags, Paper & most Packaging,
- Cookware,
- Paint, polishes & Waxes,
- Dyes & varnish,
- Shampoo & Conditioners, Toothpaste, Sunscreen,
- Cleaners & Fabric Softeners,
- Adhesives,
- Hydraulic Fluids.
2.1 Per-and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) – Overview & Usage:
Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are a group of man-made chemicals that
includes PFOA, PFOS, GenX, and many other chemicals.
(PFAS) and used in a variety of industries with the primary purpose of water, stain, and
grease resistance.
(PFAS) are very persistent in the environment and in the human body – meaning they don’t
break down and they can accumulate over time.

2.2 Per-and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) - Health & Environmental Hazards:

Various PFAS have been linked to a wide range of Health effects:(can stay in the body
for up to 4 years):
- Increased risk of Thyroid disease,
- Increased risk of deceased fertility,
- Liver damage,
- Cancer,
- Developmental & Reproductive toxicity,
- Immune Suppression,
- Persistence in the Body.
Various PFAS have been linked to a numerous environmental concerns:
- Persistence in the environment, meaning they don’t breakdown,
- Bioaccumulation, meaning they build up in the tissue of animals & humans,
- Groundwater contamination.
2.3 Per-and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) - Green Alternatives / Solutions:
Prevention and substitution of (PFAS) containing items is essential to minimize the exposure
to (PVAS), and therefore prevent the harm that can be caused.
Listed below are some of the prevention methods, and the possible substitution of (PVAS)
with organic materials:

- Avoid stain-resistant products: Choose furniture and carpets that aren’t marketed
as “stain-resistant. Choose alternatives to clothing that has been treated for water or
stain resistance, such as outerwear and sportswear, shoes, luggage, camping and
sporting equipment.

- Avoid personal-care products made with Teflon™ or containing ingredients that

include the words “Fluoro” or” Perfluoro.”, use natural organic soap, made of olive
oil and fragrances.

- Avoid “Teflon” or non-stick cook ware. Choose Stainless Steel, Cast Iron, and
Glass.

- Dental Floss: Replace (PVAS) coated dental flosses with dental floss that uses
natural coatings like vegetable wax or beeswax, or go with completely uncoated
floss.

- Fire Fighting Foams: Switching to Fluorine-Free products: fluorine-free firefighting

foams (F3) are viable alternatives to the traditional (AFFF) foams that contain
(PVAS).