Do you use a spray deodorant? If so, you contribute to air pollution. Let’s find out how and why aerosol deodorants are bad for the environment.
I have been using deodorants in the form of sprays for many years now. They are convenient and easy to use.
But recently I read that by using these I’m having a huge impact on our environment. I wanted to know more, so did some research.
A study by Yeoman et al. from 2021 found that in the UK aerosol products now contribute more to air pollution than cars.
This is shocking, right? In this article I will delve deeper into this and show you how aerosol deodorants are bad for the environment.
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Aerosol Deodorants Emit Volatile Organic Compounds
The above-mentioned study states that the pollution created by aerosols comes from their emission of volatile organic compounds (VOCs).
So what are they? They are organic molecules, which do occur naturally in our environment, for example, plants emit them.
However, most of them come from human sources, such as transport, industrial processes and aerosol products. VOCs are a group of chemicals, so there isn’t just one VOC. Some VOCs you have probably heard of:
- Butane
- Propane
- Ethanol
- Toluene
- Pentane
There are many more, but these are the ones most often used and are responsible for the largest amount of emissions.
Most aerosol deodorants contain a mix of Liquified Petroleum Gases (LPG), mostly butane and propane, according to a study by Nourian et al. from 2020.
They are used as propellant, which means they keep the pressure in the can at the same level, so that the deodorant or antiperspirant shoots out consistently.
So what’s the problem with these VOCs? Well, for one, they tend to be petrochemicals. Certainly butane and propane are as they are made from liquid petroleum.
But that’s only a small part of their impact on the environment, and our health at that. First, let’s talk about the indoor pollution it creates. VOCs quickly vaporise at room temperature, which makes them easy to inhale.
The American Lung Association says that inhaling volatile organic compounds can have several health effects. This includes irritation of the eyes and throat, but it can also make it difficult to breath.
Even worse, these compounds can damage the central nervous system and other organs.
But it’s not just indoor air quality that they impact. When these VOCs get outside into the sunlight, they react with another pollutant, nitrogen oxides. This causes smog to form, which in turn forms a ground-level ozone layer, according to a study by Atkinson et al. from 2003.
This is a dangerous pollutant that is harmful to wildlife when breathed in, and it can damage plants as well.
But they do more: according to NASA, they can also impact on rainfall and wind, which can play havoc with whole ecosystems.
But there are other reasons why deodorant sprays harm our planet.
More Aerosol Can For Less Deodorant
Only a fraction of what’s in an aerosol can is actually deodorant. Did that surprise you? Same here.
For an aerosol can to work, it needs to be under a lot of pressure. Only then can the product inside be sprayed out at high speed.
According to research by Nourian et al., 2020, about half of a spray can is taken up by vapour. About two thirds of the remaining space is used by the liquid propellant mix (VOCs). This doesn’t leave much room for the actual deodorant.
I did always wonder why deodorant cans are so big and hardly last at all. This explains it.
And why is this bad news for the environment? Because it means that we need bigger cans than is necessary for the deodorant. Therefore, more material is needed for the can.
Aerosol cans are made either from steel or aluminium. And while both are recyclable endlessly, we need so much of it that there just isn’t enough recycled material.
This means we need to extract and process more. Both the production of steel and aluminium have a major impact on our environment. For example, both industries contribute significantly to the world’s greenhouse gas emissions, which cause global warming.
So if we need more material for aerosol cans, this will negatively impact our planet.
But having bigger cans has another effect on the environment. They are heavier and will take up more space when transported. Either on their way from the manufacturer to a distributor, or retailer, or when they are bought and driven home or sent to the end consumer.
The additional energy needed for the transport will have an impact on the environment.
Ingredients In Conventional Antiperspirants And Deodorants
But that’s not the only reason why aerosol deodorants are bad for our environment.
Another environmental impact conventional aerosol deodorants and antiperspirants have is connected to the ingredients they use. This doesn’t just apply to aerosols though, but to any type of deodorant from the big brands.
The commonly used ingredients that negatively impact on our planet include:
- Synthetic fragrance chemicals
- Parabens
- Triclosan
They have all shown to be harmful to aquatic life. Triclosan is an antibacterial substance, so acts as a preservative as well as helping to keep odour-prodcing bacteria at bay.
Parabens are also preservatives that will help to prolong the shelf life of the deodorant. Both ingredients do have a job to do, so are necessary, but there are alternatives that won’t harm our environment.
Deodorants and antiperspirants contain fragrance chemicals, as you would expect. After all, you use them because you want to smell fresh.
However, these synthetic chemicals are some of the most harmful substances for our environment. They are petrochemicals and aren’t biodegradable.
So they will persist in our environment, where they can be toxic for our wildlife.
You can find out more about this in our guide about why deodorants are bad for the environment, where we delve deeper into the impact these ingredients have.
All this sounds rather depressive, right? So what’s the solution, what can we do? Quite a lot, actually.
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Things To Do To Minimise Environmental Impact Of Your Deodorant
If we want to live a more sustainable life and reduce the impact we have on our planet, we have to make some changes. Most of us know that.
So this is what you can do to minimise the environmental impact of your deodorant.
Go Without
The most drastic, but at the same time, best option for our environment is not to use any deodorant or antiperspirant at all. By doing this, you don’t just minimise but eliminate the impact on the environment.
Sweating is a natural function of our bodies, which serves a purpose. It helps us regulate our body’s temperature. And it might surprise you, but body odour isn’t seen as disgusting everywhere.
According to research by the Social Issues Research Centre, other cultures value a person’s body odour as part of their identity. It’s therefore not covered up, like in western cultures.
This is very interesting, but I know what you think. If you live in a western culture, not using deodorant might cause embarrassment and other issues. And I get it.
I have to admit, I couldn’t stop using deodorant myself. I just wouldn’t feel comfortable. So I decided to go with a compromise instead: use less.
By reducing the amount you use, you will also reduce the impact your deodorant has on the planet. Here is what I now do:
- When I shower in the evening, after doing exercise, I don’t use deodorant any more unless I go out. There is no need for it when all I do is sit on the couch and then go to bed.
- Days without: on days when I don’t need to go out, I don’t use deodorant. I shower as normal, but that’s it.
The second point was a bit difficult at first. We are conditioned to believe that our own scent is bad. So I did feel somewhat self-conscious at the beginning.
I was also worried my husband would notice and say something. But you know what, he didn’t notice. And after a while, I started to feel comfortable without a deodorant.
I realised that unless I did something strenuous, like gardening or go for a walk, I didn’t smell bad. And if I did some work in the garden, I would shower or wash afterwards.
It might not be for everyone, but I certainly feel that it has helped me to be more accepting of my own scent. And I reduce the impact my deodorant has on our environment.
If you are unsure about this, just give it a go one day. You don’t know if you don’t try.
Use A Stick Or Roll-On
Even if I decided to use my deodorant less, I still wanted to move away from sprays.
No matter how convenient aerosol antiperspirants and deodorants are, we can’t get away from the fact they are bad for our environment. Switching to a roll-on or stick deodorant will make a big difference.
These types of deodorants will still do the same job, but without releasing these nasty VOCs. And they don’t need more material to work.
I have made the switch from a spray deodorant to a stick, because I didn’t want to add to outdoor and indoor pollution.
I’m glad I did it. Not only have I got a clean conscience, I also use less.
I never noticed how much deodorant I sprayed on my armpits. This will also help the environment, because less of it on my skin also means less that can be washed down and enter our waterways.
And of course, using less deodorant means it will last longer and saves me money. Win-win!
Natural Ingredients
As we have seen, the ingredients used in many conventional deodorants aren’t good for our environment. The solution? Natural ingredients.
My deodorant stick is made with ingredients that are plant-based or plant-derived, so without nasty petrochemicals. Ingredients that are sourced from plant material are biodegradable, so won’t stick around for long.
To make sure that the deodorant of your choice doesn’t contain any nasties, check its ingredient list. Make sure none of the nasty chemicals we mentioned earlier are included.
When it comes to fragrances, it can be difficult to know what is in a product. That’s because the exact ingredients used are seen as trade secrets.
So don’t be alarmed to just read ‘fragrance’ or ‘perfume’. But look for assurance on the product’s website that no synthetic fragrances are used or that they only use essential oils.
To be absolutely sure, choose a fragrance-free deodorant. After all, its purpose isn’t to cover up with perfume but to prevent odour.
Plastic-Free Packaging
One issue with many stick or roll-on deodorants and antiperspirants is that they come in plastic packaging. And the world has a problem with plastic waste.
Some of the plastic packaging of deodorants can be recycled, but that doesn’t make it much better. Because plastic can only be recycled a few times, and only into something of lower quality, it won’t stop us from needing more new plastic.
The majority of plastic is made from fossil fuels, making it unsustainable. And often the plastic packaging can’t be recycled so ends up in landfill.
Plastic takes hundreds of years, if not longer, to breakdown, releasing microplastics in the process.
So look for a deodorant that doesn’t come in plastic. My stick comes as a refill, which comes in a compostable sleeve. I just put it into my reusable case and there is no waste.
Many eco-friendly brands will stay away from plastic packaging, so they are a great place to find a sustainable deodorant.
Now that you know how aerosol deodorants are bad for the environment, you can make a choice that is right for you and the planet.
