Optical Brighteners in White Clothing (Fluorescent Whitening Agents, UV Reactivity) — safety profile
Low riskOptical brighteners (fluorescent whitening agents, FWAs) are added to textiles and laundry detergent to make whites appear brighter by absorbing UV light and re-emitting as visible blue light.
What is this product?
Optical brighteners (fluorescent whitening agents, FWAs) are added to textiles and laundry detergent to make whites appear brighter by absorbing UV light and re-emitting as visible blue light. Common agents: stilbene derivatives (CBS, DAS 1), distyrylbiphenyl derivatives. Applied during textile finishing and reinforced by laundry detergent. Skin concerns: FWAs can cause photoallergic contact dermatitis in sensitized individuals (UV-activated skin reaction). Environmental: FWAs are persistent, detected in waterways globally, and can bioaccumulate. Most are not readily biodegradable. Ecotoxicity: moderate aquatic toxicity. EU Ecolabel restricts FWAs in textiles.
What's in it
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Finishing Agent
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