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Global Consumer Science

Dr. Kendrew K. W. MakDepartment of Chemistry

The Chinese University of Hong Kong

IJSO Training (Phase 2)

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Consumer Products are Used in Every Aspect of Our Daily Life

etc......

Composed of an array of personal care and household products that are used for personal, family, or household purposes.

Such as: IT and electronic productsPersonal care productsFood and beverage (including packaging)Household cleaning productsFurnitureFabrics and clothing

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Consumer Products

Ideal design of consumer products:

• Fit to the designated purpose

• Safe to the consumer

• Safe to the environment

• Minimize resource consumption in the production

• Minimize waste production

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Impacts of Consumer Products

HealthHealth

EnvironmentalEnvironmental

• Air pollution• Noise pollution• Water pollution• Waste production• Non-degradable solid waste, toxic waste• Affecting the ecology

• Environmental pollution leading to health problems • Toxic ingredients• Problems related to inappropriate diet and nutrition.• Injuries resulted from using the badly designed products.

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Impacts of Consumer Products to the Environment

• Depleting the world’s (non-renewable- 不可再生的 ) resourcese.g. use of petroleum for fuel and producing raw materials

mineral mining for producing metal products and fertilizers

• Pollutione.g. air pollution (airborne particle, acid rain, VOC…)

water pollution (heavy metal, nutrients, organic toxin)

ozone depletion ( 消耗臭氧 )

• Waste Disposale.g. non-degradable solid waste (plastic)

domestic hazardous waste (medication, paints, batteries…)

non-degradable – 不可降解的

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Depleting the World’s (non-renewable) Resources

Activities leading to resource depletion:

• Farming – land/soil/nutrient depletion

• Fishing – extinction of certain species

• Mining – depletion of oil and mineral resources

• Timber industry – depletion of woodland, desertification

World oil consumption (1965 – 2005)

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Air Pollution - VOCs

Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) are organic compounds that are easily vaporized under normal conditions and contaminate the atmosphere.

Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) are organic compounds that are easily vaporized under normal conditions and contaminate the atmosphere.

Source of VOCs:Paint thinners ( 油漆稀釋液 ), dry cleaning solvents, petroleum fuels, aerosol sprays ( 噴霧劑 ), pesticides ( 農藥 ), air refreshers ( 空氣清新劑 ), perfumes ( 香水 ), etc.

Soil and groundwater contamination (accidentally released)

Escaped VOCs - cause air pollution

Volatile organic compounds – 揮發性的有機化合物

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Water Pollution – Eutrophication( 富養化作用 )

Eutrophication – The process by which a body of water become enriched in dissolved nutrients (usually phosphates or nitrogen containing compounds) that stimulate the growth of aquatic plant life. It causes depletion of dissolved oxygen in water.

Sources of PollutantsSources of Pollutants

Phosphorus ( 磷 ) and nitrogen ( 氮 ) runoff from detergents or fertilizers.

Phosphates ( 磷酸鹽 ) were added to laundry detergents ( 洗衣粉 ) as builders ( 助潔劑 ) to enhance the surfactant effects ( 表面活化作用 ).

Between 1940 and 1970 the amount of phosphates in city wastewater increased from 20,000 to 150,000 tons per year. Algal blooms grew on the excess phosphorus and consumed the oxygen in water, killing fish and plants.

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Ozone Depletion – CFCs

• Human immune system ( 人體免疫系統 )

• Skin• Ecology

Increased damages to

Trichlorofluoromethane ( 三氯氟甲烷 )Freon-11, CFC-11

Cl C

Cl

Cl

F

Refrigerants ( 製冷劑 )Propellants for aerosol spray ( 氣霧推進劑 )Fire extinguisher ( 滅火劑 )

CFCs used in:

Chlorofluorocarbons (CFC) – 氯氟碳化合物

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CCl2F2 Dichloro-difluoromethane ( 二氯二氟甲烷 )(CFC-12)

An almost ideal refrigerant:

Stable and chemically inertNon-toxic, non-flammable, and non-corrosivePhysical properties very suitable for the applicationVery inexpensive

CCl2F2

hvCClF2 + Cl

Cl + O3 ClO + O2

ClO + O3 Cl + O2

A chain radical reaction leading to the destruction of ozone.

CFC (Chlorofluorocarbons) as ideal refrigerants

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Newer Refrigerants

DifluoromethaneHFC-32, R-32

H C

F

H

F

Hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs)Hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs)

Even more environmental friendly

1,1,1,2-tetrafluoroethaneHFC-134a, R-134a

H C

F

H

C

F

F

F

ChlorodifluoromethaneHCFC-22, R-22

Cl C

H

Cl

F

Hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HCFCs)Hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HCFCs)

The environmental effects are only about 10% of the CFCs

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Municipal solid waste ( 都市固體廢物 ) is a waste type that includes predominantly household waste (domestic waste – 家居廢物 ) with sometimes the addition of commercial wastes collected by a municipality. They are in either solid or semisolid form and generally exclude industrial hazardous wastes.

Municipal Solid Waste (MSW)

Consumer packaging 消費品包裝The packaging of goods sold to consumers. (shopping bags, packaging bags, boxes and gift wraps, bottles, Tetrapak paper packages……)

Industrial packaging 工業產品包裝For protection and transportation purposes. (PS foam, air-bubble sheets, cartons…..)

Packaging wastes contribute to about 20% of the solid waste.Packaging wastes contribute to about 20% of the solid waste.

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Solid Waste Management ( 固體廢物之管理 / 處理 )

Source Reduction ( 減少廢物產生 )Altering the design, manufacture processes, or materials used to reduce the amount and toxicity of what gets thrown away.

Recycling ( 回收 / 循環再造 )Divert items, such as paper and plastics, from the wastestream. These materials are sorted, collected, and processed and then manufactured, sold, and used as new products.

Composting ( 堆肥 )Decompose organic waste, such as food scraps and yard trimmings with microorganisms (bacteria and fungi), producing a humus-like substance.

Combustion ( 焚化 )Burning of municipal solid waste to reduce the quantity of waste that needed to be disposed of in landfills.

Land filling ( 堆田 )Waste is dumped into the land

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Reduce and Reuse ( 減少及重用 )

• Purchasing durable, long-lasting goods

• Seeking products and packaging that do not contain toxic substances

• Redesigning products that use less raw material in production, have a longer life, or can be used repeatedly.

Examples• Use non-disposable tableware and cutlery• Use rechargeable batteries• Reduce the use of shopping bags• Use refillable items (pens, household/body care liquid products……)

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Recycling ( 循環再造 )

Examples of Recyclable MaterialsExamples of Recyclable Materials

• Batteries

• Plastic

• Biodegradable wastes (food waste)

• Printer ink cartridges and toners

• Metals

• Paper

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Recycling of Plastics

Most plastics can be recycled, but they have to be separated into different types according to the Resin Identification Code ( 塑膠分類標誌 ).

Code Abbreviation

Polymer name

Recycled to produce (examples)

PETE or PET

Polyethylene terephthalate

Polyester fibers and soft drink bottles.

HDPE High densitypolyethylene

Milk bottles, bottles for household cleaners, playground equipment

PVC or V Polyvinyl chloride

Pipe, fencing, raincoats

LDPE Low density polyethylene

Plastic bags, dispensing bottles, tubing, food wraps

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Resin_identification_code

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Recycling of Metals

Aluminium soft-drink cans ( 汽水鋁罐 )Aluminium soft-drink cans ( 汽水鋁罐 )

• Most soft-drink cans are made of aluminium.

• An aluminium can is 100% recyclable.

• Aluminium is cut into small pieces and melted to produce molten aluminium for further processing.

• Hugh amount of energy is required to extract aluminium from ore.

• Recycled aluminium is indistinguishable from those obtained from ore.

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Composting of Biodegradable Substances

Biodegradable waste ( 可被生物降解之廢物 ) can be recycled into useful material by biological decomposition ( 生物降解作用 ).

Composting is the process of producing compost through aerobic decomposition of biodegradable organic matter.

http://hk.news.yahoo.com/070618/12/29rbv.html

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Avoid Using Non-biodegradable Materials

Modern technologies turned many natural substances into new materials which cannot be easily broken down by microorganisms ( 微生物 ) and enzymes ( 酶 ).

Example: Petroleum can undergo biodegradation slowly, but most plastic (which are made from petroleum) cannot.

Poly(vinyl chloride) ( 聚氯乙烯 )(PVC)Poly(vinyl chloride) ( 聚氯乙烯 )(PVC)

Polyethylene (PE)Polyethylene (PE)

Polystyrene (PS)Polystyrene (PS)

CH2 CH

Cln

CHCH2

CHCH2

CHCH2

CHCH2

CHCH2

CHCH2

C

H

C

H

C

H

H

C

H

H

C C C C C C C

H

H

H

H

H

H

H

H

H

H

H

H

H

H

H

H

Conventional, non-biodegradable polymers

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Degradable Plastics

Degradable Polymer

Degradation ( 降解 )

- Photochemical decomposition ( 光化學分解 )- Hydrolysis- Oxidation- Biochemical degradation

- Photochemical decomposition ( 光化學分解 )- Hydrolysis- Oxidation- Biochemical degradation

Smaller Polymer Fractions (Increased Surface Area)

Faster Degradation

CO2 and H2O as final products

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Polyethene incorporated with starch - mixed with 6 - 40% of starch.

Starch content higher than 9% - degrade within 1 year under favorable conditions.

Useful for making biodegradable grocery bags.

Examples of Biodegradable Plastics

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Biodiesel is a type of fuel made from vegetable oil that can be used in unmodified diesel engine.

Biodiesel is a type of fuel made from vegetable oil that can be used in unmodified diesel engine.

Triglycerides ( 三酸甘油酯 )(Esters of glycerol with long-chain fatty acids)

O

COCH

H

C OH

CH

H

O

C

O

C

Ofatty acid parts

glycerol part

Renewable Resources – Biodiesel

( 甘油部份 )

( 脂肪酸部份 )

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O

COCH

H

C OH

CH

H

O

C

O

C

O

glycerol part

R1

R2

R3

fatty acid portions

MethanolSodium hydroxide solution

t ransesterif icat ion

OHCH

H

C OHH

CH

H

OH

glycerol

+

C

O

R1 OCH3

C

O

R2 OCH3

C

O

R3 OCH3

Methyl esters of fatty acids

Biodiesel

Renewable Resources – Biodiesel

( 甲醇、氫氧化鈉溶液 )

( 轉酯化反應 )

( 甲基油酸 )

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Ethanol as Car Fuel

Biomass as Renewable Sources of Useful Chemicals

OOHO

OHO

OH

n

Wood, Cotton

Cellulose

OOHO

OH

OH

nO

Corn, Wheat, Rice

Starch

Canes

Sucrose

OHO

HOOH

OH

OOHO

CH2OHHO

OH

OHO

HOOH

OH

OH Ethanol

C2H5OH

Fermentation

Wayman, M.; Parekh, S. R. Biotechnology of Biomass Conversion, Open University Press, Milton Keynes, 1990.

CO2 RecyclingCO2 Recycling

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Ethanol as Car Fuel

•In 2004, 44% of the vehicle fuel used in Brazil was ethanol.

•Between 1983-1988, over 90% cars sold were ethanol-only cars.

•80% of the cars produced in Brazil in 2005 were dual-fuel.

•Bagasse (the fibrous material left over from pressing) are used to provide electricity for the distillery

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How Foods (Crops) Are Improved

In the past – Selective Breeding (~ 10 Years)In the past – Selective Breeding (~ 10 Years)

In the past, farmers improved crops and domestic animals by breeding for desirable traits. This process is often uncertain and very time consuming.

Now – By Genetic Engineering (~ 1 Years)Now – By Genetic Engineering (~ 1 Years)

Now scientists can use the tools of modern molecular biology to introduce genes from desired traits into plants and animals.

The resulting organisms are called transgenic organisms because they contain genes from another species.

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Genetically Modified (GM) Foods

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/GM_food#Abundance_of_GM_crops

Genetically Modified (GM) foods ( 基因改造食物 ) are produced from Genetically Modified Organisms (GMO)

To produce a genetically modified organism, DNA that has been taken from another organism and modified in the laboratory is inserted to the organism to produce new and useful traits.

Examples of GM FoodsExamples of GM Foods

• Tomato (Flavr Savr, delayed ripening)

• Soybeans (Roundup Ready, herbicide-tolerant)

• Maize (insect-protected, herbicide-tolerant)

• Rice (Golden rice, produce beta-carotene)

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Flavr Savr Tomato

The first commercial grown genetically engineered food for human consumption. The tomato was made more resistant to rotting.

Ripens on the vine, resulting in fuller flavor.

Flavr Savr TomatoFlavr Savr Tomato

Harvest while green and firm, easier for transportation

Spray with ethylene after shipping to induce ripening

TraditionalTraditional

        Ripe and increased Flavor

Ripe but decreased Flavor

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Insect-Protected Maize

(a) Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) is a bacterium that produces proteins which are toxic to corn pest.

(b) Inserting the gene that responsible for producing Bt proteins into corn’s DNA.

(c) The GM corn can produce Bt proteins, so becomes resistant to the pest.

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Rice (Golden-rice)

Vitamin A Deficiency (VAD)

Affected 124 million people

118 countries (Africa / South-East Asia)

Annually:

1-2 million death

500,000 irreversible blindness

Golden rice is a kind of rice produced through genetic engineering that contains the precursor of beta-carotene (pro-vitamin A) in the edible part of rice.

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Genetically Modified Food Controversies

The GM food controversy is a dispute over the advantages and disadvantages of genetically modified food crops.

Some advantages of introducing GM foods

Some advantages of introducing GM foods• Increase crop yield – feed more people and reduce

famine.

• Reduce the use of synthetic insecticides – protect farmers, consumers, and the environment.

• Producing food with higher nutrition values (protein-enriched potatoes, golden rice), particularly helpful to developing countries.

• Herbicide-resistant crops (Round-up Ready crops) – better protection for crops’ quality and quantity

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Genetically Modified Food Controversies

Worries about GM foodsWorries about GM foods

• Trigger allergic reactions

• Create new, potential harmful foods / substances

• Disturb the balance of ecosystems, biodiversity. (Pollen from Bt corn may have adverse effects on beneficial insects)

• Development of pesticide-resisting, super pests

• Increased use of herbicides – fewer weeds – impact on the wildlife.

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- the evaluation of goods sold in the retail marketplace

Consumer Product Testing

Why do consumer products need testing?

Safety Quality

( 消費品測試 )

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Consumer Product Testing

News: (safety)

News from Internet and newspaper about the safety of consumer

products such as toys, batteries for portable

computers, cars … etc.

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Consumer Product Testing

Benefits to Manufacturer

• Products comply to applicable regulations

• Products look and function as intended

• Assess the performance of products against a competitor’s products

• Enhance risk management and protect the company’s brand

• Determine whether the products will be damaged during transport

Benefits to Consumer- Faith and safe to use

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Consumer Product Testing

Who are going to do the consumer product testing?

Manufacturers

Government Bodies

Commercial Testing

Laboratories

Consumers

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Manufacturers

Quality Control Laboratory

- check regularly the quality of the products

Consumer Product Testing

( 生產商 )

( 品質控制實驗室 )

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Consumer Product Testing

Government Bodies (Local)

- regularly checking on the products to see whether they are safe to use.

Government Laboratory

Food and Environmental Hygiene Department

Consumer Council

( 政府化驗所 )

( 消費者委員會 )

( 食物環境衛生署 )

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Commercial Testing Laboratories

Consumer Product Testing

- independent third party testing services

It the laboratory is accredited, some of their tests will be recognized internationally.

No duplicate testing!

CMA Testing and Certification Laboratories

ITS Intertek Testing Services

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Consumers

Consumer Product Testing

Can you do your own consumer product testing?

Story about the Ribena with which in 2004 two high school students from New Zealand conducted a science experiment to determine the Vitamin C levels of their favourite fruit drinks.

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Consumer Product Testing

Example: Lighter Safety Test

BS EN ISO 9994:2006 “Lighters-Safety Specification”- define the quality, reliability and safety of

lighters with test procedures

Functional Requirements

- Flame generation

- Flame heights

- Flame height adjustment

- Resistance to spitting or sputtering and flaring

- Flame extinction

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Consumer Product Testing

Structural Integrity Requirements

- External finish

- Compatibility with fuel

- Resistance to fuel loss

- Resistance to dropping

- Resistance to elevated temperature

- Resistance to internal pressure

- Burning behaviour

- Resistance to cyclic burning

- Resistance to continuous burning

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Example: Quality of Honey

Conducted by Consumer Council (HK) & the Consumers Korea

CODEX Standard: internationally use

Sucrose content: <5%(Food & Drugs (Composition & Labeling) Regulations)

HMF level (an indicator of freshness): <40mg/kg

Moisture Content: <20%

Consumer Product Testing

(Hydroxymethylfurfural)

http://www.consumer.org.hk/website/ws_en/news/press_releases/p35903.html

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Consumer Product Testing

Example:

Comparative Test of Dehumidifiers:

10 models claim to have capacity ranging from 20L to 25L moisture a day.

by the Consumer Council

Conditions for rating: 8 models 30oC 80% (RH)

2 models 32oC 80% (RH)

More realistic measurement:

Test condition: 26.7oC 60%

(US Association of Home Appliance Manufactures standard)

( 抽濕機 )

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Consumer Product Testing

Similar test condition: 27oC 60%

Standards use in Japan, China, Europe and Taiwan

Results of 10 models:

- ranging from 5.61L to 13.24L per day.

In Hong Kong, no mandatory standard test conditions for rating dehumidifying capacity of household portable dehumidifiers at present.

http://www.consumer.org.hk/website/ws_en/news/press_releases/p34101.html

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Consumer Product Testing

Toy Testing:

Different countries or regions have different standards.

Europe: EN71, …

USA: ASTM F963, …..

Australia: AS1674, …..

Canada: Canada Hazardous Products (Toys) Regulations & Act

( 玩具測試 )

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Consumer Product Testing

EN71:

Part 1: Physical & Mechanical Tests

i. Torque and tension

ii. Drop Test

iii. Impact Test

iv. Compression Test

( 扭力 - 拉力測試 )

( 跌落測試 )

( 撞擊測試 )

( 壓力測試 )

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Consumer Product Testing

EN71:

Part 2: Flammability Test

Photos on Flammability Test

( 易燃性測試 )

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Consumer Product Testing

EN71: Part 3: Toxic Elements Test

Antimony (Sb), Barium (Ba), Cadmium (Cd), Chromium (Cr), Lead (Pb), Mercury (Hg), Selenium (Se) and Arsenic (As)

- migration of elements from samples in the experimental environment similar to human digestion system.

Sample cut into very small size and put into container with 0.25% HCl. Shake 1 hour and stand for 1 hour before analysis of the heavy metals.

(Prepare one sample for one color)

( 有毒物質測試 )

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Consumer Product Testing

EN71: Part 4: Experimental Set for Chemistry

Part 5: Chemistry Toys (Sets) Other than Experimental Sets

Part 6: Graphical Symbol for Age Warning Labeling

Part 7: Finger Paints

EN50088 – Electric Toy Safety Test

EMC Directive 89/336/EEC: EMI and EMS testing

Remote Control Toys:

Radio (RF) + EMC + LVD testing

Electromagnetic Compatibility

Low Voltage Directive