Lifestyle
Cancer-causing agent found in natural, organic personal care products
By Ben Wasserman
Mar 15, 2008 - 3:20:08 PM

SATURDAY March 15, 2008 (Foodconsumer.org) -- Cancer-causing agent 1, 4-dioxane is known to be present in many conventional personal care products.   But a new study released March 14 by the Organic Consumer Association (OCA) shows that the toxin is also present in many leading brands of claimed natural and uncertified organic shampoos, body washes, lotions and other personal care products.

On the other hand, organic brands which are certified under the USDA National Organic Program and carry a “USDA Organic” seal do not contain 1, 4-Dioxane which in California would be required to be labeled with a warning because of its toxicity, the test results show.

According to the organic advocate with more than 500,000 organic consumers and organizations, the toxin is generated from the cancer-causing petrochemical ethylene oxide, an ingredient commonly used in the personal care products.

The OCA warns that the concerned ingredient is not labeled because it is considered a contaminant or by product of the ethoxylation process.

The OCT study indicates that 1,4-dioxane is present in products with synthetic ethoxylated ingredients including those with strange names like myreth, oleth, laureth, ceteareth and other "eth", PEG, polyethylene, polyethylene glycol, polyoxyethylene, or oxynol.

The OCT suggests that just because a personal care product carries words like "organic" or "certified organic" does not mean it meets specific organic standards.   It says consumers should buy products that are certified under the USDA National Organic Program or a similar German Program and products that bear the "USDA Organic" seal.

Some of the leading brands that tested positive for 1, 4-dioxane include Jason Pure Natural & Organic, Giovanni Organic Cosmetics, Kiss My Face, Nature's Gate Organics.   Some of the leading brands that did not test positive for the toxin include all USDA Certified brands including Dr. Bronner's Sensibility Soaps (Nourish), Terressentials and all German Natural "BDIH" Certified brands including Aubrey Organics and Dr. Hauschka.

The products that contain 1,4-dioxane include 365 Every Value Shower Gel (20.1 ug/g), 365 Everyday Value Dish Liquid (2.2), 365 Every Value Dish Liquid (1.6), Alba Passion fruit Body Wash (18.2), Alba Replenishing Shampoo (0.7), Aura Cacia Natural Aromatherapy Bubble Bath (14.9), Circle of Friends No Tearski Shampoo (2.1), Citrus Magic 100% Natural Dish Liquid (97.1), Earth Friendly Products Ultra Dishmate (19.0), Earth Friendly Products Ultra Dishmate (13.6), Earth Therapeutic Loofah Exfoliating Scrub Oatmeal & Honey (0.9),   Ecci Bella Moisturizing Shampoo Vanilla (0.2), Ecover Dishwashing Liquid (2.4), Emerald Forest with Sapayul Botanical Shampoo (1.7), Giovanni Cleanse Body Wash (10.6), Giovanni Golden Wheat Shampoo (4.1), Giovanni Smooth as Silk Deep Moisture Shampoo (2.1), Grandpa's Pine Tar Shampoo (7.8), Healthy Times baby's Herbal Garden Honeysuckle Baby Bath (5.3), Healthy Tumes Baby's Herbal garden pansy Flower Shampoo (8.2),   Hugo Vanilla & Sweet Orange Conditioner (0.6), Jason Apricot Satin Soap (11.9), Jason Tea Tree Scalp Normalizing Shampoo (7.9) Kiss My Face Early to Bed Shower Gel &Foaming Bath (6.2), Kiss My Face Obsessively Organic Lavender & Chamomile Self Foaming Liquid Soap (0.3)Life Tree Citrus Fresh Dish Soap (0.7), Method Creamy Hand Wash (7.0), Method Dish naturally Derived Ultra Concentrate (27.5), Nature's Gate Awapuhi Volumizing Shampoo (3.5), Nature's Gate Baby Soothing Shampoo (1.6), Nature's Gate Moisturizing Liquid Soap (2.4), Nature's Gate Organics Fruit Blend Liquid Soap (0.3), NutriBiotic Super Shower Gel Shampoo with GSE (fresh fruit) (32.2), Origins for Men Skin Diver Active Charcol Body Wash (3.1), Origins Giner Burst Savory Body Wash (2.0). Planet Ultra Dishwashing Liquid (20.3), Rainbow Gentle Antibacterial Soap (1.3), Rainbow Soap for Kids (1.1), Sea-Chi Organics Tasmanian Lavender Shampoo (7.5), Seventh Generation Lemongrass & Clementine ZestNature Dish Liquid (1.9), ShenMin Vitalize Shampoo for Thin, Fine Hair (2.7). Shikai Moisturizing Shower gel (2.5), Ultra-Hair Conditioning Shampoo (1.2).

For more information, read
 

·   Download: OCA's March 14 Press Release on 1,4-Dioxane, a known carcinogen found in leading bodycare products misleadingly labeled 'organic' and 'natural'

·   Download: OCA's 1,4-Dioxane Alert with complete product testing results

·   View 1,4-Dioxane Testing Results (html)

·   Download: 1,4-Dioxane Fact Sheet (PDF)