Is Scotchgard safe?

A. Any type of fabric finish, whether for stain, water, wrinkle or fire resistance, has the potential to emit irritating or harmful gaseous fumes called volatile organic compounds (VOCs), even after the finish has dried. Therefore, these should be used only sparingly, if at all.

According to a customer service representative at 3M, the company that makes Scotchgard, over 150 different Scotchgard finishes are currently in use. Only two -- the Protector for Fabric and Upholstery and the Protector for Rugs and Carpets -- are available to homeowners, both as aerosol sprays. Both are 60-90% water and contain up to 10% solvents and up to 5% of a polymer that provides stain resistance; only the solvents are unstable, or capable or "offgassing" after drying. Neither product includes formaldehyde, benzene or other VOCs suspected of causing chronic health effects such as cancer, according to 3M's Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS). However, the MSDS sheets recommend opening windows and doors to provide adequate cross-ventilation, and caution that prolonged inhalation of the spray can cause respiratory irritation, headaches, dizziness, and loss of coordination. Fabric we test-treated with the Protector for Fabric and Upholstery still had a strong smell one week after it had dried.

Other Scotchgard finishes are applied to carpet, furniture or fabric by manufacturers (including those of school uniforms) or by professional home cleaning companies. Upon request, all these companies will provide an MSDS for Scotchgard or other finishes they use.

To minimize the need for stain-resistant finishes, think prevention. "Choose carpets and furniture upholstery that match the color of your favorite foods and drinks, or keep spillable items away from them," recommends Philip Dickey, Ph. D., staff scientist at the Washington Toxics Coalition. "And be sure to treat any spills immediately, before the stain has time to set," he adds.

UPDATE, May 2000: Scotchgard Phaseout!

Under scrutiny by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the 3M Company announced on May 16 the discontinuation of many of its Scotchgard stain repellents by the end of 2000 due to environmental risks from the chemical perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS), which has been found in wildlife and humans around the world. Although high doses of PFOS proved toxic to animals in 3M's laboratory tests, the company says its studies have not found any hazards to humans, including workers regularly exposed to PFOS. However, an EPA spokesperson cited agency concern about long-term exposure. For more information on the toxicity of PFOS (the mysterious stain-resistant "polymer" listed on Scotchgard MSDS sheets), see www.ourstolenfuture.org.