Optical Brighteners Work by Improving Vision and Increasing Overall Appearance

 

Optical Brighteners

Optical brighteners are chemicals that absorb light in the ultraviolet and violet regions of the spectrum and then re-emit it in the blue region. They can make vision appear brighter, and are used in eyeglasses, contact lenses, and sunscreen. In the case of brighteners, they are classified as low or high-toxicity substances. However, due to their high production volumes, some of them have large releases of low toxicity substances. Hence, they will be listed under REACH regulations. Fluorescent Brightener 220 and C.I. Fluorescent Brightener 220 are high production volume chemicals and therefore will be subject to REACH regulation.

According to Coherent Market Insights the Optical Brighteners Market Global Industry Insights, Trends, Outlook, and Opportunity Analysis, 2022-2028

They are often found in wastewater. These chemicals can help identify bacteria in a community water supply, but they are not biodegradable. As such, they will not disappear unless disposed of properly. Scientists are still studying the risks of brighteners.

They play a significant role in conservation and preservation. They improve the color and brilliance of certain items and are especially useful in the case of works from the second half of the twentieth century. Different optical brighteners have different chemistry, longevity, and appearance, and interact differently with conservation procedures. They can be used in textiles to change the color of the product. The disodium distyrlbiphenyl disulfonate is a good example. It has noncertified status in the United States but is allowed in pharmaceuticals and cosmetics. It is also approved for use in the European Union. During the initial sampling of laundry detergents, optical brighteners were detected on all sampling pads, and a higher concentration was found in the diluted solution exposed for one minute. The opacity of OBs in wastewater was reduced three days after the first reading, possibly due to bacterial breakdown. Nonetheless, they are not the only source of odors in wastewater. They have also been detected in storm drains.