Information on hygiene guidance for household goods

This is the site of Health Sanitation Division, Health and Safety Department, Yokohama City Public Health Center. We provide information on the hygiene of household goods.

In order to prevent health hazards caused by household goods such as baby clothes and underwear, household goods such as laundry detergents and aerosol products, the Health Sanitation Division Department of Health and Safety at Health Centers conducts inspections of household goods from dealers in the city. In addition, as a result of inspection, we provide guidance such as discontinuation of sales of products that violate the standards.

Household goods are household goods that we use every day, such as clothing and cleaning agents. However, this excludes food, toys, pharmaceuticals, quasi-drugs, and cosmetics.
Specifically, there are the following:

Clothing
Oshime, Oshime cover, Drying, underwear, pajamas, hats, blouses, shirts, shoes, etc.

Household textiles
Floor rugs, curtains, futons, blankets, sheets, pillows, towels, cushions, etc.

Household Chemicals
Toilet cleaners, spray products, ink, waxes, adhesives, paints, glass cleaners, metal rust removers, etc.

From these, the Minister of Health, Labor and Welfare designates specific household goods and sets necessary standards for chemical substances that may damage the body if they are included in the household goods.

Currently regulated harmful substances and target household goods are as follows.
In addition, there are standards for the durability of containers for cleaning agents for homes and cleaning agents for home use.

Manufacturers and importers must pay the best attention to ensuring the safety of their products. For example, product inspection must be carried out actively using our own inspection department or various inspection organizations.
In addition, organize and store shipping slips, etc. that describe the shipping destination, product type, number, etc.

When manufacturing and importing products, check whether they are subject to regulation.

In the case of regulated products, we will check whether raw materials or imported products contain no harmful substances and how much they are contained. For cleaning agents, test the strength of the container.
※Storage of Inspection Reports

Enhance quality control and ensure that hazardous substances are not mixed in the manufacturing process.

Once the product is completed, the content of hazardous substances is tested.
※Storage of Inspection Reports

Store products in a well-organized and appropriate manner to prevent contamination from unregulated products and sources of harmful substances, and be careful not to mix harmful substances when attaching tags, packing, transporting, etc.

In particular, check the quality again before shipping long-term storage items.

Sellers must pay close attention to purchasing safe products, proper storage and management, and how they are sold to consumers. In addition, purchase and sales slips that describe the type and number of products should be organized and stored.

When purchasing products, confirm with an inspection certificate that no harmful substances are contained. When verifying the inspection certificate, make a copy or record and save it.
※Confirmation and record of inspection report

Store products in an appropriate and organized manner to prevent contamination from unregulated products and sources of harmful substances, and be careful not to mix harmful substances when attaching tags, packing, transporting, etc.

When collecting products on the market for efficient sales promotion, etc. and selling them again, confirm that they are in compliance with standards, such as checking whether they are contaminated with harmful substances during transportation or retail stores.

Sellers must pay close attention to purchasing safe products, proper storage and management, and how they are sold to consumers. In addition, purchase and sales slips that describe the type and number of products should be organized and stored.

When purchasing products, confirm with an inspection certificate that no harmful substances are contained. When verifying the inspection certificate, make a copy or record and save it.
※Confirmation and record of inspection report

Prevent contamination from unregulated products and source of harmful substances by paying attention to the storage of properly organized products and sales methods at stores.
As for cleaning agents, the container deteriorates depending on the method of storage and display, so be careful when handling. Also, in consideration of disasters, etc., let's display them in low places.

Formaldehyde is easily soluble in water, so it is easily absorbed into fibers through moisture in the air. For this reason, if the source of formaldehyde is nearby, it may be transferred to clothing.
This phenomenon is called the transfer of formaldehyde.

The sources of formaldehyde are as follows.

Building materials
Plywood, structural plywood, synthetic resin sheets, heat insulating materials, adhesives, etc.

Fibers
Non-regulated textile products (such as shirts, blouses, etc.)

Others
Furniture, cigarette smoke, cardboard, wax, exhaust gas, etc.

In particular, clothing for infants who do not use formaldehyde must be kept away from these sources. Also, if the product is placed directly on a display stand using plywood, formaldehyde may be transferred.

Fibers that are susceptible to transfer.
Wool silk＞Cotton＞Rayon nylon＞Polyester acrylic
In order.

The higher the temperature, the more likely it is to be released into the air from the source, so even at stores, when the temperature inside the store is high, such as during summer air-conditioning stop hours, the higher the concentration of the room air.
Pack your products as much as possible to prevent transfer.