Most organisations categorize 1,4-dioxane as a suspected carcinogen and the presence of this contaminant in many products became a concern amongst the consumers. In recent years, stricter laws on the level of 1,4-dioxane has been imposed. Other than the regulations in ASEAN and EU, New York governor Andrew Cuomo also signed a bill prohibiting the sale of any household cleaning products, cosmetics, and personal care products that contain 1,4-dioxane above trace concentrations.
What is 1,4-Dioxane?
1,4-dioxane is a by-product formed through ethoxylation and is a contaminant found in many products especially in the home and personal care category. 1,4 dioxane is also known as dioxane, dioxan, p-dioxane, diethylene dioxide, diethylene oxide, diethylene ether and glycol ethylene ether.
What Should You Avoid in Your Labels?
- Alcohol Exthoxylates/ Ethoxylated Alcohols (ingredients that end with “-eth”)
Examples include Sodium Laureth Sulfate, C12-14 Pareth-11, Ceteareth. - Alcohol alkoxylates/ Alkoxylated alcohols
- Nonoxynols (ingredients that end with “-oxynol”
Also known as nonaethylene glycol or polyethylene glycol nonyl phenyl ether. - Poloxamers (Polyoxyethylene, Polyoxypropylene block polymers)
Example includes Poloxamer 181. - Polyethylene Glycol (PEG)
Also known as Polyethylene Oxide (PEO) or Polyoxyethylene (POE). Example includes PEG-5 Cocoate.
1,4-dioxane has been classified as
- EU: category 2 (suspected of causing cancer).
- International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC): Group 2B (possibly carcinogenic to humans)
- US Environmental Protection Agency (US EPA): Group B2 (probable human carcinogen or likely to be carcinogenic to humans)
- Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH): Potential occupational carcinogen
Regulations of 1,4-Dioxane
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Regulations of 1,4-Dioxane
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Type of Product
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New York
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Limits (effective date: 19 June 2020)
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Limits (effective date: 19 June 2023)
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Limits (effective date: 1 January 2022)
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Limits (effective date: 1 January 2023)
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Limits (effective date: 2016)
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Cosmetics
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Personal Care
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Household Cleaning Products
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