Exposición a sustancias químicas a través de textiles: Evaluación de riesgos para la salud

Identifier:  TDX:4325

Handle: https://hdl.handle.net/20.500.11797/TDX4325

Authors:  Herrero Casado, Marta

Abstract:
The presence of chemical substances in clothing has been the subject of study in recent years. This is due to their use during the different stages of fabric manufacture and/or as a result of the manufacture itself. Unfortunately, the use of some of these chemicals is toxic to human health, with adverse effects ranging from small, isolated skin reactions, and dermatitis to some types of cancer. This thesis has been carried out to assess the health risks due to dermal exposure to chemicals and other substances present in clothing and widely used by the textile industry. The substances evaluated were metals and metalloids, indigo dye, polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), formaldehyde and bisphenols (BPs). The results obtained show an association between the presence of the different chemical substances and the type of fibre, with cotton fibres containing the most formaldehyde, Sb, BPA and BPS being the most prevalent in polyester fibres and Ti in polyamide fibres. Colour also influences these levels, with dark-coloured garments containing higher levels of Mg, Cr, Cu and Pb, BPS. PCBs would be higher in yellow-coloured garments and BPA in grey-coloured garments. Unfortunately, garments made from organic cotton are not free of toxic substances as some contain higher levels of metals and formaldehyde. Overall the risk assessment is positive, except for the population groups of infants and children aged 3-6 years, where the CR was slightly above the threshold for Cr (VI).