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Organic product users beware. A recent study commissioned by the Organic Consumers Association (OCA) found that many leading “natural” and “organic” brand shampoos, body washes, and lotions contain 1,4-dioxane, a contaminant which is considered as a cancer-causing chemical in the State of California. It is a by product of the cancer-causing petrochemical ethylene oxide. This petrochemical is used for “ethoxylation” which is a short-cut process used by the companies to make harsh ingredients milder.

1,4-dioxane is also suspected to be toxic to kidneys, nervous and respiratory systems as well as a major groundwater contaminant. Some of the leading organic and natural brands that contain 1,4-Dioxane include: JASON Pure Natural & Organics, Giovanni Organic Cosmetics, Kiss My Face, Nature’s Gate Organics.

To avoid 1,4-dioxane, OCA recommends reading ingredient labels and avoiding products with indications of ethoxylation, which include: “myreth,” “oleth,” “laureth,” “ceteareth,” any other “eth,” “PEG,” “polyethylene,” “polyethylene glycol,” “polyoxyethylene,” or “oxynol,” in ingredient names. OCA has also issued a complete list of products tested.

Sources:
Organic Consumers Association March 14, 2008

Tags: 1, 4-dioxane, carcinogenic, oragnic, Organic Consumers Association