Common chemicals released under sunlight exposure?

In summary, the conversation discusses the common and possible chemicals that may be released from clothes or bedclothes when exposed to sunlight. The speaker expresses concern about the potential harm of these chemicals and mentions the different textures and additives in clothing. They also mention the different methods of cleaning clothes and the presence of additives in water-based products. They conclude that an exact list of ingredients is needed to provide a definitive answer and suggest seeking references for further information.
  • #1
kenny1999
235
4
What are the common and/or possible chemicals that could release from clothes or bedclothes when it is exposed to sunlight? Since there are many
different textures and additives so I am concerned about the common chemicals that could release

I roughly know that sunlight will break a lot of bonding, but when the bonding
is broken, what happens next? will it release any chemical (either harmful or harmless) out, what are they?
 
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  • #2
There is no simple answer, plus there are many methods of cleaning clothes.
Dry cleaning | water + detergent and/or soap
might be a good starting point.

Plus, to make things more difficult, there are all kinds of additives in water based products, like odorants that make the clothes smell "clean" or "lemon-ish".

In other words, there is no good answer without an exact list of ingredients. Multiple methods means more lists.

This is not a good question for PF, IMO. Maybe @chemisttree knows of some references you can dig through.
 

1. What are common chemicals released under sunlight exposure?

Some common chemicals released under sunlight exposure include ozone, nitrogen oxides, and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) such as formaldehyde and benzene.

2. How do these chemicals affect air quality and human health?

These chemicals can contribute to the formation of smog and poor air quality, which can have negative effects on human health. Ozone can irritate the respiratory system, while nitrogen oxides and VOCs can contribute to the formation of particulate matter, which can cause respiratory issues and cardiovascular problems.

3. What are the sources of these chemicals?

Ozone is formed when nitrogen oxides and VOCs react in the presence of sunlight. These chemicals can come from various sources such as vehicle emissions, industrial processes, and household products. Natural sources, such as wildfires and vegetation, can also contribute to these chemicals.

4. How does the release of these chemicals impact the environment?

The release of these chemicals can have negative impacts on the environment. Ozone can damage plants and reduce crop yields, while nitrogen oxides and VOCs can contribute to acid rain and the formation of ground-level ozone, which can harm plants and aquatic life.

5. What measures can be taken to reduce the release of these chemicals?

To reduce the release of these chemicals, individuals can limit their use of products containing VOCs, carpool or use public transportation to reduce vehicle emissions, and properly maintain and tune their vehicles. Industries can also implement emission control technologies to reduce their contribution to these chemicals.

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