Evaluation of Chemical Contents of Hygiene Materials Used in Daily Life in Terms of Covid and Occupational Health and Safety


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Önal Y.

Journal of the Institute of Science and Technology,, cilt.16, sa.1, ss.210-220, 2026 (TRDizin)

Özet

The pandemic period has once again highlighted the importance of hygiene at both individual and societal levels, particularly increasing awareness of hygiene practices in public spaces. During this period, a significant rise was observed in the consumption of chemical hygiene products used to maintain cleanliness. However, the careless and excessive use of these products poses various risks not only to users’ health but also to the environment. Therefore, analyzing the composition of hygiene chemicals emerges as a scientific necessity for both health and environmental safety. In this study, five product groups commonly used during the pandemic liquid chemical soap, olive oil soap, cologne, hand sanitizer, and wet wipes were examined. Ten different brands from each product group were selected, totaling 50 samples. The analyses revealed that the samples differ in terms of content and composition. Moreover, it was observed that the lethal dose (LD) values of the chemical substances in the products were not indicated on the packaging. The findings demonstrate that the correct use of hygiene products plays a critical role in protecting both employee and public health. Additionally, to minimize potential negative impacts on the environment, it is essential for manufacturers to ensure transparency in product composition and for users to be adequately informed. This study, therefore, aims to make a scientific contribution to the evaluation of hygiene products from health and environmental perspectives.