Scotchguard: is it safe? Let the professionals here at 925 Carpet Cleaning answer that for you!
It’s a question that our customers ask us again and again due to the increased awareness surrounding the chemical safety of product toxicity.
While there isn’t an end-all answer to the question, it is important to note that, as Scotchguard’s safety continues to straddle the line that is the unknown, there are a number of new products making their way onto the market.
Scotchgaurd, according to its ingredient list, does contain a number of potentially harmful additives. In the next part of this article, we’ll dig deeper into what these additives are and what they can do to the human body.
Is It Safe?
A few years ago, the nation was rocked by a national health and safety announcement that claimed that Scotchguard contained potentially toxic ingredients.
The ingredient causing most of the uproar was PFOS, which is known by its technical name, fluorocarbon. PFOS is one of the most reliable synthetic materials that we use today.
Constant exposure to this particular chemical promotes toxic buildup within the body, which can cause a host of ailments including hormonal imbalances, fertility problems, and an increased risk of cancer.
Scotchguard’s parent company, 3M, switched to another chemical shortly after the unfavorable alert was released.
Instead of using PFOS, 3M made the switch to perfluorobutane sulfonate, also known as PFBS. PFBS is different from PFOS because it is supposedly non-toxic, but shares the same properties as PFOS.
Therefore, this makes it a great alternative in the company’s eyes.
3M is adamant that PFBS is non-toxic. However, it has been proven that, whether it is or isn’t toxic, it still enters the bloodstream.
3M did acknowledge this concern, countering that although it is absorbed into the blood, it isn’t harmful in small amounts and leaves the body quickly.
With this in mind, it’s easy to argue that any chemical that enters the bloodstream is unsafe.
But, it’s also easy to say that if we don’t notice any side effects or fall ill from minimal exposure, the product must be safe enough.
With time, we’re learning more and more about the chemicals that go into everyday products.
We’re advancing quickly and, as we learn more, we’re also adapting old products and developing new ones.
To waterproof fabrics in a way that is less toxic, we can now use nanotechnology.
Nanotechnology allows us to alter the makeup of silicon dioxide so that, when it’s sprayed onto fabric, it not only increases its durability but also forms a waterproof, micro-layer on top.
So, is Scotchguard safe? Unfortunately, the jury is still out on that one.
However, with precautions like using rubber and plastic gloves for handling, avoiding constant use, and wearing a mask when there are fumes, you should be able to keep yourself safe.
You could also benefit from reading the ingredients on your go-to products and educating yourself about the most common additives and their potential dangers.
