Newsletters: May - June 2008
Dioxane Explained
Natural Times-May/June 2008
By Chris Terrell
1,4-Dioxane has gotten a lot of publicity recently, but what is it and why is it so bad? 1,4-Dioxane is classified as an ether and is typically used as a solvent. It is considered a chemical byproduct that is unintentionally created during a process called ethoxylation. The chemical ethylene oxide is used in this process to soften harsh detergents. 1,4 Dioxane is considered a probable carcinogen by the World Health Organization and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. The amounts that are present in cosmetic products are considered safe by the Food and Drug Administration and they claim to be constantly monitoring the products; unfortunately, a standard or maximum limit for the chemical in body care products has not been set. There is no information readily available that would indicate the amounts of 1,4-Dioxane in body care products can be harmful, even over a long period of time. Without clear data about 1,4 Dioxane in body care, it is up to the consumer to decide. Unfortunately, some best-selling natural body care products have trace amounts of 1,4 Dioxane in them. These companies include JASON, Giovanni, Kiss My Face, and Nature’s Gate. A full list of the products can be found at the organic consumer’s web site.
But there is good news. Any products that have the USDA organic seal or a similar German certification on the bottle should not have any amount of the chemical. These companies include Aubrey, Dr. Bronner’s, Sensibility Soaps, Terressentials, and Dr. Hauschka.
If you want more information, please look at the links listed below.
www.organicconsumers.org/bodycare/index.cfm
www.cfsan.fda.gov/~dms/cosdiox.html
www.checnet.org/HealtheHouse/chemicals/chemicals-detail.asp?Main_ID=273
planetgreen.discovery.com/fashion-beauty/1-4-dioxane.php
