Carcinogenic Organics?
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
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Andre says...
Everything plastic is made of Polyethylene, so you can hardly avoid it. I doubt even amish can avoid it
kristen says...
Hello,
What baby lotions, body and hair washes and baby wipes do not have this product in it? Is it in some of the baby foods?
Thanks
Science-mom says...
Hi Kirsten,
You can download the whole list from the OCA website
http://www.organicconsumers.org/bodycare/DioxaneAlert080314.pdf
As far as I know, this substance is not present in food products.