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Copyright © 1997 Lifekind®, Inc.
NO PORTION CAN BE DUPLICATED WITHOUT OUR EXPRESS WRITTEN PERMISSION |
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1,4-dioxane
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Carcinogenic.
Readily penetrates the skin. Products most likely to be
contaminated with 1,4-dioxane are those with PEG, polyethylene,
polyethylene glycol, polyoxyethylene, "eth" (e.g.,
sodium laureth sulfate), or oxynol in the ingredients. Polysorbate
60 and polysorbate 80 may also be contaminated. |
2-bromo-2-nitropropane-1,3-diol
(also known as Bronopol) |
A
preservative. May break down
into formaldehyde. Can form nitrosamines, which are carcinogenic.
Found in cosmetics, personal-care products (shampoos, lotions),
and baby products. |
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Ammonia
(also known as ammonium chloride, ammonium hydroxide, benzalkonium
chloride, and quaternary ammonium compounds)
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An
irritant that affects the skin, eyes, and respiratory passages.
Extremely toxic when inhaled in concentrated vapors.
Repeated exposure may lead to bronchitis and pneumonia.
Can cause chemical burns, cataracts, and corneal damage.
Has been shown to produce skin cancer. Toxic effects to plants, animals,
and fish. Listed as a toxic chemical on the EPA's
Community Right-to-Know list. Found in a wide range of household
cleaning products, including glass cleaners, all-purpose cleaners,
and disinfectants. |
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Amyl acetate (banana oil, pear oil)
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Skin irritant and neurotoxin causing central nervous-system
depression. Found in furniture polishes, nail finishes, nail-polish removers, and perfumes. |
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Synthetic disinfectant and bacteriacide. Wide use is causing
new strains of resistant bacteria. Negatively affects living
organisms. Found in disinfecting hand soaps, dishwashing detergent,
disinfectants, and cleaners. |
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Benzene
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Carcinogenic.
Harmful amounts may be absorbed through skin. Irritating to
mucous membranes. Poisonous when ingested. Inhalation of fumes
may be toxic. Cited by the EPA and OSHA as a threat to public
health. Found in oven cleaners, detergents, furniture polishes,
spot removers, and nail-polish removers. |
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Butyl
cellosolve (also known as 2-butoxy-1-ethanol, ethylene glycol
monobutyl ether, butoxyethanol, and butyl oxitol)
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Highly toxic synthetic solvent and grease cutter that can
irritate mucous membranes and cause liver damage. Readily
absorbed through the skin; neurotoxic. Found in some
all-purpose cleaners and degreasers, window cleaners, and
a wide range of other household cleaning products. |
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Chlorine
(also known as sodium hypochlorite, hypochlorite, chlorine
dioxide, sodium dichloroixocyanurate, hydrogen chloride,
and hydrochloric acid)
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Powerful irritant. Can be fatal upon inhalation. Causes
the most household poisonings in the U.S.,
and ranks first in industrial injuries and deaths.There is
growing evidence that chlorinated drinking water causes bladder
cancer and rectal cancer. Many chlorinated water supplies
probably contain some amount of THM (trihalomethanes), which
are carcinogenic compounds. THMs can be removed from tap water
with an adequate home filtration system with activated carbon.
Chlorine and compounds are environmentally damaging, break
down slowly in the ecosystem, are stored in the fatty tissue
of wildlife, and are a prime cause of atmospheric ozone loss.
Chlorine is listed in the 1990 Clean Air Act as a hazardous
air pollutant. Found in a wide range of household cleaners,
including laundry bleaches, dishwasher detergents, and tub and tile
cleaners. |
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Cocamide
DEA (also known as cocamide diethanolamine)
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While
not carcinogenic, has the potential to form carcinogenic
nitrosamines. Found in dishwashing liquids, shampoos, and cosmetics. |
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Colors
and dyes (FD&C or D&C)
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Artificial
colors are made from petroleum and coal tar, and are believed
to be cancer-causing agents. They may penetrate the skin,
can cause allergies, and are irritants to the skin and eyes.
They are found on labels as "FD&C" or "D&C" and followed
by a color and a number. Yellow, amber, green, or blue products
are dyed with synthetic colors, and should be avoided. |
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Crystalline silica
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Eye,
skin, and lung irritant. Carcinogenic. Found in some
highly-popular brands of all-purpose cleaner. |
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D-limonene
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Eye
and skin irritant. Evidence of carcinogenicity. Neurotoxic.
Found in some paints, flea-control products, lice treatments,
and cleaning products. |
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DEA
(also known as diethanolamine, triethanolamine, and monoethanolamine)
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Moderate
skin and severe eye irritant. Can react with nitrites to form
carcinogenic nitrosamines. Found in a wide range of household
cleaning and personal-care products. |
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Dioxane
(also known as diethylene dioxide, diethylene ether, and diethylene
oxide)
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A
carcinogen. Listed as a hazardous air pollutant
in the 1990 Clean Air Act. Found in window cleaners. |
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EDTA
(also known as ethylene-diamine-tetra-acetic and diammonium
EDTA) |
Skin irritant. Irritating to the mucous membranes,
leading to allergies, asthma, and skin rashes. Does not
readily biodegrade. Binds with heavy metals trapped in
our lakes and streams, thereby activating the metals and causing
them to reenter the food chain. Found in laundry detergents. |
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May
be contaminated with 1,4-dioxane, which is carcinogenic. |
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Flame retardants (TRIS)
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Mutagenic and carcinogenic to animals. Absorbed through
the skin from clothing. |
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Formaldehyde
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Irritating,
allergy-producing, neurotoxic, and carcinogenic. Can cause
insomnia, coughing, headaches, nausea, nosebleeds, and skin
rashes. Some of the most irritating and allergenic preservatives
contain, release, or break down into formaldehyde. These include
2-bromo-2-nitropropane-1,3-diol, diazolidinyl urea, DMDM hydantoin,
imidazolidinyl urea, and quaternium 15. Widely used in deodorizers,
disinfectants, personal-care products (including shampoos),
and cosmetics (including nail polishes and hardeners). A common
air pollutant, it is also used in permanent-press sheets,
mattresses, foams, plastics, and building materials. |
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Fragrance
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Artificial
fragrances are 95% derived from petrochemicals. The word "fragrance"
listed on a label can indicate that as many as 600 separate
chemicals have been used in the formula. Some, such as methylene
chloride, are carcinogenic, and some contain or
release formaldehyde. They often cause allergies, skin
irritation, headaches, and nausea. |
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Mostly-synthetic bacteriacides. (See benzalkonium chloride.) Found
in disinfecting hand soaps, dishwashing detergents, disinfectants,
and cleaners. |
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Large group of chemicals. Can cause irritation of the
skin, eyes, nose, and throat. Can be hazardous to the
reproductive system. Can range from relatively nontoxic to
extremely toxic. Can damage the kidneys, liver, and central
nervous system. Can be absorbed quickly through the skin.
Found in some household cleaning products, paints, cosmetics,
and perfumes. |
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Can
dissolve and destroy tender tissues upon direct contact. Eyes,
nose, and throat easily irritated by vapors. Can burn, result
in permanent scarring and even blindness. Found in aluminum
cleaners and rust removers. |
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Most
commonly used cosmetic preservative, after parabens.
Primary cause of contact dermatitis. Found in cosmetics, baby
shampoos, personal care products, and fragrances. |
Kerosene
(also mineral spirits) |
Eye
and skin irritant. Can damage lung tissues. Neurotoxic. May
contain the carcinogen benzene. Found in all-purpose cleaners,
furniture polishes, and waxes. |
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Causes
allergic skin rashes. Cosmetic-grade lanolin can be contaminated
with pesticides, including DDT, dieldrin, and lindane, which
are carcinogenic, and diazinon, which is neurotoxic.
Can enter the bloodstream through the skin. Labels do not
disclose which lanolin-based ingredients are pure. Found in
a wide range of cosmetics, hair products, ointments, and lotions. |
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Lindane
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Toxic.
Readily absorbed through the skin. Known to cause convulsions
and seizures. Animal carcinogenic. Found in head-lice treatments
(shampoos). |
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Methanol
(also known as methyl alchohol)
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Severe
eye and skin irritant. Can cause blindness. Neurotoxic. Found
in glass cleaners, some paint removers and strippers, and art
products. |
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Morpholine
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Extremely
toxic. Irritating to the skin, eyes, and mucous membranes. May
cause liver and kidney damage. Reacts with nitrites to form
carcinogenic nitrosamines. Found in all-purpose cleaners,
furniture polishes, and car waxes. |
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Napthalene
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Irritating
to the eyes and skin. Can cause cataracts, corneal damage, and
kidney damage. Suspected carcinogen. Extremely toxic to
small children and infants. Can cause blood damage to
fetuses. Found in mothballs, air fresheners, deodorizers, carpet
cleaners, and toilet-bowl cleaners. |
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Nonylphenol
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Endocrine disruptor. Should be avoided. |
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Optical
brighteners
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Can
cause allergic reactions. Do not readily biodegrade. Toxic
to fish. Found in laundry detergents. |
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Organic
solvents (also known as carbon disulfide, n-hexane, metyl
n-butyl ketone, trichloroethylene, perchloroethylene, toluene)
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Neurotoxins
and central-nervous-system depressants. Recognized
as carcinogens and reproductive hazards in the workplace.
Found in all-purpose cleaners, degreasers, metal polishes,
varnish and lacquer removers, dry-cleaning solutions, paints and coatings,
and adhesives. |
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Padimate-o
(also known as octyl dimethyl PABA)
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Can
cause formation of nitrosamines. May be carcinogenic. Found
in sunscreens and cosmetics. |
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Para-dichlorobenzene
(also known as p-dichlorobenzene, PDCB, and 1,4-dichlorobenzene)
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Extremely
toxic. Carcinogenic. Highly volatile. Causes liver and kidney
damage. Does not biodegrade. Found in moth repellents, toilet
deodorizers, room deodorants, and insecticides. |
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Parabens
(also known as methylparaben, propylparaben, butylparaben,
ethylparaben)
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Preservatives
that have a greater-than-normal potential for causing irritation
and allergic reactions. Reported to be toxic. Widely used
in personal-care products, including shampoos and cosmetics. |
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Animal
carcinogen, suspected human carcinogen. Air pollutant. Groundwater
contaminant. Drinking water contaminated with perc has leukemia
and birth-defect implications. Long-term overexposure may
effect the nervous system. Found in spot removers, degreasers,
and dry-cleaning fluids. |
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Petroleum
distillates (also known as naphthas; see toluene, xylene,
benzene, napthalene, and Stoddard solvent)
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Group of chemicals obtained from the petroleum-refining process.
Eye, skin, and respiratory irritants. Neurotoxic effects can
lead to organic brain damage. Many petroleum products are
carcinogenic. Found in heavy-duty cleaners, laundry stain
removers, furniture polishes, car waxes, lice shampoos, home
and garden pesticides, and flea-control products. |
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Phenol
(also known as alkyl phenoxy polyethoxy ethanol and nonyl phenoxy
ethoxylate)
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Very
toxic. Suspected carcinogen. Swelling, pimples, and hives
are common. Internal consumption can cause circulatory collapse,
convulsions, cold sweats, coma, and death. Found in laundry
detergents, all-purpose cleaners, air fresheners, disinfectants,
and furniture polishes. |
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Phosphates
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Cause
excessive growth in aquatic plants (especially algae), leading
to suffocation of fish and other aquatic life. Found in laundry
detergents, dishwasher detergents, and all-purpose cleaners. |
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Phosphoric
acid
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Eye,
skin, and respiratory irritant. Breathing vapors can burn lungs.
Found in bathroom cleaners. |
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Leading cause of contact dermatitis. Less irritating and allergenic
preservatives include grapefruit-seed extract, phenoxyethanol,
potassium sorbate, sorbic acid, tocopherol
(vitamin E), Vitamin A (retinyl), and Vitamin C (ascorbic acid). |
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Eye,
throat, and respiratory irritants. Aggravate asthma. Known
to cause lung disease. Can cause eye injury and chemical
burns. Found in a wide range of aerosol products, including
oven cleaners, furniture polishes, air fresheners, insecticides,
and personal-care products. |
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Propylene glycol
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Reported
to have severe adverse health effects, including contact dermatitis,
allergies, and kidney and liver damage. Used widely in cosmetics,
personal-care products, and baby products (wipes and lotions). |
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Pyrethrin
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Allergic.
Neurotoxic. Found in head-lice treatments, house and garden
pesticides, and flea-control products. |
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Sodium bisulfate
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Corrosive.
Damaging to the eyes, skin, and internal tissues if swallowed.
Can cause asthma attacks. Found in toilet-bowl cleaners and
deodorizers. |
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Sodium hydroxide (also known as lye, caustic soda, and soda lye)
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Corrosive.
Eye, skin and respiratory irritant. Can burn eyes, skin and
internal organs. Can cause lung damage, blindness and be fatal
if swallowed. Found in a wide range of household cleaners
including oven cleaners, tub and tile cleaners, toilet bowl
cleaners and drain openers. |
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Sodium
laureth sulfate (also sodium lauryl sulfate, sodium laurel
sulfate, and sodium dodecyl sulfate; also see
1,4-dioxane) |
Skin
irritant. Reported as toxic in many studies. Has tendency
to react with other ingredients to form carcinogenic nitrosamines.
The FDA has stated that levels of dioxin formation in products
containing sodium laureth sulfate are unacceptable. Studies
have shown eye and systemic tissue (heart, liver, brain) penetration.
Main ingredient in many shampoos, baby shampoos, and toothpastes. |
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Sodium
metasilicate
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Corrosive
to the skin. Severe eye, skin, and respiratory irritant.
Inhalation can cause throat and lung damage. Found in detergents
and dishwashing detergents. |
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Petroleum
distillate. Eye and mucous-membrane irritant. Neurotoxic.
Found in all-purpose cleaners, abrasives, and floor and auto waxes. |
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Very
corrosive, producing severe burns on contact. Found in toilet-bowl cleaners and metal polishes. |
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Cosmetic
talc is carcinogenic. Talc-based powder has been linked to
ovarian cancer. Found in baby and bath powders, face powders,
dry rouges, and foot powders. |
TEA (also known as triethanolamine; see DEA) |
Moderate
skin and severe eye irritant. Can react with nitrites to form
carcinogenic nitrosamines. Found in a wide range of household
cleaning and personal-care products. |
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Tetrapotassium pyrophosphate
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Irritating,
corrosive, and highly toxic. Suspected of forming organophosphate
properties, which cause excessive algae growth (see phosphates). |
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Highly
toxic petrochemical solvent. Eye and skin irritant. Carcinogenic.
Neurotoxic and reproductive effects. Found in spot removers,
car cleaners, and paints. |
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Trichloroethane (TCA)
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Severe
eye irritant. Can be absorbed through skin. Hazardous air
pollutant. Inhalation and ingestion can lead to death. Found
in cosmetics and degreasers. |
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Suspected
carcinogen. Very irritating to eyes and nose. Found in spot
removers and metal polishes. |
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Moderate
skin and severe eye irritant. Can react with nitrites to form
carcinogenic nitrosamines. Found in a wide range of household
cleaning and personal-care products. |
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Copyright ©1997 Lifekind®, Inc.
NO PORTION CAN BE DUPLICATED WITHOUT OUR EXPRESS WRITTEN PERMISSION |
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