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Path: utzoo!attcan!utgpu!jarvis.csri.toronto.edu!mailrus!uwm.edu!gem.mps.ohio-state.edu!rpi!leah!bingvaxu!sunybcs!kitty!larry
From: larry@kitty.UUCP (Larry Lippman)
Newsgroups: sci.bio,sci.chem,sci.med
Subject: Re: PAM propellant
Summary: Chlorinated hydrocarbons in "Liquid Paper"
Message-ID: <3450@kitty.UUCP>
Date: 16 Oct 89 23:22:20 GMT
References: <1989Oct16.145131.13913@utzoo.uucp>
Organization: Recognition Research Corp., Clarence, NY
Lines: 66

In article <1989Oct16.145131.13913@utzoo.uucp>, snell@utzoo.uucp (snell) writes:
[ongoing discussion about chlorofluorocarbons and aerosol products deleted]
> As well, the CFC ban remains incomplete.  Apparently various drug and
> pharmaceutical companies which use aerosol propellants in their 
> products will still be allowed to use CFC's.  It was suggested to me 
> by the environment office `spokespersons' that there currently 
> are "no acceptable alternatives" for such products, but that "industry 
> would be encouraged to develop them."

	The above is also true in the U.S.; under certain circumstances, a
manufacturer may continue to use a CFC as a solvent or solvent/propellant
in an aerosol product if they can demonstrate that there is no alternative
substance available.

> As well, there is the question of non\-propellant use of CFC's.  For 
> instance a `correction fluid' for typists called `LIQUID PAPER'
> would appear to contain such products.  In two bottles I just picked
> up in our storeroom here, are slightly different labels:
>      1) Contains: Chlorinated solvent(s)
> and, 2) Content: 1.1.1Trichloroethane
> 
> Clearly when this stuff evaporates and dries on the page, these
> solvents are released.   Can you buy LIQUID PAPER in the USA?  Do they
> say what is in it?

	I just so happen to have a bottle of "Liquid Paper" in front of
me.  NO WHERE on the container does it give as clue as to ANY ingredient,
although there is a warning against inhalation of vapors.  It sure does
smell like 1,1,1-trichoroethane, though.

	However, 1,1,1-trichloroethane is neither a CFC posing any
environmental harm to the ozone layer, nor is it a carcinogen.  There
are no restrictions on the use of 1,1,1-trichloroethane (which is
often confused with trichloroethylene, which IS a carcinogen).  On the
other hand, 1,1,1-trichloroethane is a solvent which can cause liver
and other injury following prolonged inhalation or ingestion.

	It certainly seems that the government of Canada is more
aggressive than that of the U.S. with respect to labeling requirements
for product ingredients.  With the advanced state of analytical
laboratory instrumentation today, there can be little objection on
the part of product manuifacturers to disclose ingredients based upon
a claim of "proprietary formulation".  For most consumer products,
any manufacturer can readily ascertain the composition of a competitor's
product through chemical analysis.

	The real objection to explicit ingredient labeling is the fear
of impeding sales when unknowledgable consumers read a label and start
to see listings of - gasp! - CHEMICALS.  To some extent, I sympathize
with the manufacturers.  On the other hand, manufacturers of soap and
cosmetic products which have required *explicit* labeling by the FDA
have obviously survived the requirement and remained in business.  On
yet another hand, I *GUARANTEE* you that sales of aerosol products
would decrease if consumers REALLY KNEW than a 12 oz can of a typical
aerosol deodorant contains more isobutane than half a dozen Bic
lighters!

	Ah, the double-edged sword of dealing with consumer products.
I'm glad that I only deal with testing 'em, and don't have to deal with
marketing or manufacturing 'em - or even worse, deal with the public
itself. :-)

<> Larry Lippman @ Recognition Research Corp. - Uniquex Corp. - Viatran Corp.
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