All tagged ethoxylation

1,4-Dioxane

1,4-Dioxane is a likely carcinogen found in cleaners, cosmetics, and personal care products. But even a conscious consumer will not find 1,4-dioxane on the ingredient label. It has been found in groundwater sites throughout the US.

Adverse health effects from 1,4-dioxane include eye, nose and throat irritation from short term exposure, and kidney and liver damage from long term exposure. [1] Unfortunately studies over the years (dating back to the 1970s) have continually detected 1,4-dioxane in a range of products, some far exceeding the supposed safe threshold of 10,000 ppb.

Phenoxyethanol

Phenoxyethanol is a preservative that is widely used in cosmetics and personal care products, especially products wanting to fit in the clean category. Since parabens have been associated with endocrine disruption, phenoxyethanol has become the preservative of choice for many companies looking to market a safer product. The problem is phenoxyethanol is made by a process called ethoxylation, and can leave behind toxic residual products, specifically 1,4-dioxane and ethylene oxide.