Category | News

What is that smell?

Published on October 30, 2006 by The Sentinel

In many restrooms throughout the nation and across campus, a product
called the Zep Deodorant Block is emitting what the company claims is a
“pleasant aroma.” A deadly agent known as Paradichlorobenzene is
secreted by the lethal air freshener as well.

    “Inhalation of vapor may cause central nervous system depression characterized by headache, dizziness, nausea, stupor, unconsciousness, and in extreme cases, death,” warns the product’s label.

    On the counters of many campus restrooms sits a solid block of the crystalline chemical. The slow-dissolving brick gradually emits the lethal fumes used to mask odor.

    “To me, it’s alarming and a bit of a shock. I come to school to learn, not to have the risk of being killed in the bathroom,” said Stephanie Allen, biology major.

    A Cornell University study on the effects of the chemical produced staggering results. The study repeatedly exposed a group of lab animals to the toxin. The lucky ones developed eye irritation, tremors, weakness, necrosis of the liver, lung damage, kidney damage and loss of weight. Others had fatal responses. 

    Another study marked the human response to exposure to Paradichlorobenzene.

    “One person with only moderate exposure complained of severe headache, periorbital [eye] swelling and profuse rhinitis,” claimed the findings, also from Cornell.

    Two of the participants died from overexposure to the toxin; the same toxin which is teeming in KSU restrooms.

    “Risk of adverse health effects are lessened by following all prescribed safety precautions, including use of proper personal protective equipment,” said Zep manufactures.

    The deodorant blocks used on campus contain an inhaled “dosage” of 75ppm. According to Minimum Repository Protection standards, certain safety products must be used at any dosage above 75ppm. Cornell University suggests a gas mask.

    There was not only one, but three of these deadly deodorant blocks in at least one English Building bathroom. That boosts toxin level to 225ppm, well over the 75ppm limit.

    “I don’t want to breathe it if it’s dangerous to my health. They didn’t tell us it was dangerous before we put it in the bathrooms,” said KSU janitor Michelle Hicks.

    The Environmental Protection Agency studied the chemical extensively and reported a decreased number of live births, less of a chance of pup survival and unhealthy pup weights in an animal test.

    Most of the side effects resulting from the chemical only appear after extended exposure. However, the chemical [even in tiny amounts] cannot be good for the thousands of students, faculty and visitors who use the campus restrooms daily.

    “Better safe than sorry,” said elementary education major Lauren Griffin, “It seems unnerving that they put something like that in the bathroom… I mean, did they read back of the box?”