We all care about what's in the products we use in our homes and around our families. And here at SC Johnson, we're working to select better and better ingredients for health, the environment and product performance. But in recent years, the media and other groups have contributed to heightened concerns about chemicals in the home. So, we wanted to take this opportunity answer a few questions about chemicals in household products.
Why use chemicals at all...why not make products from natural ingredients?
Keep in mind that all materials are "chemicals." For example, water is a combination of the chemicals hydrogen and oxygen (H2O), and air is a mix of nitrogen, oxygen, carbon dioxide and other gases. Also, there are plenty of chemicals found in nature that are toxic, such as arsenic and cyanide. Importantly, sometimes a synthetic ingredient is a better choice for any number of reasons, including sustainability. For example, using a natural ingredient that's in short supply could wipe out what's left of it, so using a virtually limitless synthetic might be more responsible. SC Johnson does use ingredients found in nature, but only when they meet our strict standards for health, the environment and product performance.
Why use additives like dyes, preservatives and fragrances...why not just use the basic ingredients a product needs?
Dyes, preservatives and fragrances provide valuable benefits. Dyes are an important visual cue that helps you know where you're spraying a product and, in fact, that it's the product you intended to use. Preservatives prevent the growth of microbes as products sit on store shelves or in the home, helping the products last longer and perform better, without becoming spoiled. Finally, many people associate a fresh fragrance with a clean and
welcoming home, and they specifically seek out products that offer this added benefit.
What's more important: the chemical or the quantity used?
Both are important, but quantity is key. Think of it this way: Most everyone would agree that water is a harmless chemical. But even water can be deadly if you drink too much of it. The important thing in product development is to select the right chemical to achieve the goal, and to use only the amount that is proven to be safe and effective. At SC Johnson, we aim to use the smallest effective percentage of key ingredients, and we always ensure that our products meet or exceed accepted safety and regulatory standards.
Aren't natural products better?
Not necessarily. "Natural" or home remedies are not necessarily safer, effective or lower in allergens. In fact, many natural products undergo limited or no scientific testing compared to the extensive toxicological evaluations that companies like SC Johnson require for their product formulations. In contrast, SC Johnson products must meet or surpass all relevant regulatory requirements in the United States, Europe and any country where the
product will be sold.
Do natural products contain fewer allergens than products made from synthetic materials?
Not in all cases. Products made from natural materials may have more allergens than products made from synthetic materials. For example, fragrances made from natural fragrance materials contain allergens at fairly high levels, while fragrances made primarily synthetic materials contain much lower levels. SC Johnson ensures that the allergen levels in all its products can be used safely by consumers.