Many consumers buy 'green ' or organic household products in the belief they are safer and kinder to the environment . But many of these products also contain cancer-causing chemicals , a new study has warned . Australian researchers found that common products marketed as ‘ green ’ , ‘ all-natural ’ , ‘ non-toxic ’ and ‘ organic ’ emit compounds that could harm health and air quality . At this time , consumer products sold in Australia , the US and around the world are not required to list all ingredients , or any ingredients in a chemical mixture called 'fragrance ' . This means consumers can not check what the item contains and whether it is potentially dangerous . Household items marketed as 'green ' , 'organic ' , 'all-natural ’ and ‘ non-toxic ’ could still emit compounds that damage health , a study has warned . The researchers analysed 37 different products , such as air fresheners , cleaning products , laundry supplies and personal care products found all over the world , including those that claimed to be ‘ green ’ or ‘ organic ’ . Then , they investigated the number of volatile organic compounds ( VOC ) the products emitted . VOCs are a large group of carbon-based chemicals that easily evaporate and get into the air at room temperature . They can cause short term health effects including irritating the throat and mouth , causing dizziness and can make conditions like asthma worse . In the long term , exposure to these compounds has been linked with an increased risk of cancer , liver damage , kidney damage and damage to the nervous system . The reseachers found 156 different VOCs emitted from the products , with an average of 15 VOCs per product . Of these 156 VOCs , 42 are classified as toxic or hazardous under US federal laws , and each product emitted at least one of these chemicals . They found the cancer-causing pollutants were found in many of the fragranced ‘ green ’ products . And they were just as damaging as those from regular chemical products that are n't marketed as organic , researchers said . The most common chemicals in fragranced products were terpenes , which were not in fragrance-free versions . Researchers analysed 37 household products and found they all emitted volatile organic compounds ( pictured ) . These are chemicals that get into the air easily and have been linked with cancer and liver damage . Terpenes react very quickly with ozone ( a pale blue gas found in the air ) to generate pollutants such as formaldehyde and ultrafine particles , the researchers said . The researchers also warned that fewer than three per cent were disclosed product labels or product information . Lead author Professor Anne Steinman , of Melbourne School of Engineering , said this means the public is unable to check which chemicals their household products contain . She said : 'The paradox is that most of our exposure to air pollutants occurs indoors and a primary source is consumer products . ‘ But the public lacks full and accurate information on the ingredients in these products . ‘ Our indoor air environments are essentially unregulated and unmonitored . ‘ Given the lack of information , consumers may choose products with claims such as green , natural , or organic , but those claims are largely untested . ’
Experts analysed 37 household products including those billed as 'green ' Found 156 volatile organic compounds ( VOCs ) emitted from items . These are cancer-causing chemicals that can be inhaled by humans . Experts warned fragranced green products often contained VOCs . Score: 6