Silicones give qualities to an enormous range of products that enhance the enjoyment, quality and safety of modern life. We need to be sure, however, that these benefits are not gained at the expense of the natural world. The scientific evidence shows that when silicones enter the environment they do no harm.

Silicone producers together form a major sector of the global economy. As such, protecting health, wildlife and the natural environment is a priority. The members of CES fully research and test all our products and share results with national and international regulators. On this basis we are convinced that our products are safe when used in the intended way.

» Silicones in the Environment

There are several classes of silicones that may potentially be found in the environment on account of their applications but the two principal groups are volatile methylsiloxanes (VMS) and polydimethylsiloxanes (PDMS).

The picture below summarises our knowledge on their behaviour in the main environmental compartments of water, sediment, soil and air. Click on the relevant areas for further details.

Click on the picture to learn about silicones in water, air or soil

» Monitoring and Testing

Environmental monitoring and testing are central to the commitment of the silicone industry to environmental protection. Via such programmes, the silicone industry identifies how its products enter and leave the environment, quantifies exposure levels and evaluates possible risks. They also help to highlight further research requirements.

» Analysis

An in depth understanding of the fate and effects of substances in the environment depends on high quality analysis and accurate test results that deliver consistent and comparable data. To ensure such information, CES has developed test methods to extract and detect silicones in samples collected from the environment. In most cases, of course, silicones will be absent from samples.

» Detailed Eco-profile to Improve Environmental Performance

The Eco-profile report of silicones helps producers and down-stream users to evaluate and strengthen environmental performance based on accurate, transparent and reliable data.

Commissioned from independent experts, Boustead Consulting, the report is detailed and transparent and follows well-established methodology developed for the plastics sector.

Please click here to download the summary.

» References:

Chandra G. (editor), The Handbook of Environmental Chemistry, Volume 3 Anthropogenic Compounds Part H. Organosilicon Materials, Springer Verlag, 1997.

Stevens C., Powell, D.E., Mäkelä, P, Karmans, C. Fate and Effects of Polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) in Marine Environments, Marine Pollution Bulletin Vol 42, No 7, pp 536-54.

Stevens C., Environmental Degradation Pathways for the Breakdown of Polydimethylsiloxanes, Journal of Inorganic Biochemistry 69 (1988) 203-207.

Stevens C., Environmental Fate and Effects of Dimethicone and Cyclotetrasiloxane from Personal Care Applications, International Journal of Cosmetic Science 20, 297-305 (1988).