Silicones are to be found in nearly all areas of everyday life because they have so many positive properties. A significant property is their extremely low order of toxicity to the human organism. That is why they are widely used in cosmetics and medical technology.

Silicones mainly enter the environment in the form of fluids and emulsions. No adverse effects on ecosystems have been reported. Microbes slowly degrade the silicones to silanols and other, partly cyclic compounds. Under the influence of UV light and nitrates, some silicones are transformed into SiO2.

Silicone waste can also be safely disposed of and incinerated together with domestic waste. Incineration only produces carbon dioxide, water and sand (silicon dioxide). This also proves to be an advantage in the event of fire – unlike other polymers, the combustion products are harmless. PVC, for example, produces dangerous hydrogen chloride gas and dioxins when it burns, and normal rubber releases considerable quantities of sulfur dioxide when it burns. Since silicone products are free of chlorine and sulfur, they pose much less risk than other comparable polymers in the event of fire.