laboratory animals. We need to remember the synergistic effects of chemicals; toxins add up and even
multiply to create greater risk. Cosmetics contaminated with 1,4-Dioxane might also have traces of
formaldehyde, nitrosamines, phthalates, and other contaminants.
The risk is even greater when you are using body products contaminated with 1,4-Dioxane.
According to a California state health official’s memorandum, 1,4-Dioxane is readily absorbed
through the lungs, skin, and gastrointestinal tract. Bath products contaminated with 1,4-Dioxane are
particularly dangerous. Warm water is an effective penetration enhancer. When our pores are opened,
1,4-Dioxane enters the bloodstream more easily. 1,4-Dioxane is also released as a gas and is inhaled
more intensely in the warm and humid area of the bathroom or a shower stall. When studying the risks
of 1,4-Dioxane under California’s Safe Drinking Water and Toxic Enforcement Act (Proposition 65),
researchers found that a single product containing 1,4-Dioxane could lead to 970 excess cancers in
one million. “Even if this were off by a factor of ten, the risk would still be 97 excess cancers, and
this remains noteworthy—especially for a cosmetic product,” noted Campaign for Safe Cosmetics on
their website (full article: http://www.safecosmetics.org/faqs/mvf_dioxane.cfm)..)
The Solution
It’s no secret we are ready to pay more for beauty products that claim to be clean from
contaminants. However, a visit to any health food store unfortunately reveals the majority of products
in the personal care section with “organic” brand-claims contain only cheap water extracts of organic
herbs and maybe a few other token organic ingredients to justify the “organic” claim on the label. The
core of such products is composed of conventional synthetic cleansers and conditioning ingredients
usually made in part with petrochemicals, often containing toxic contaminants like 1,4-Dioxane.
The general rule of thumb is to avoid products with unpronounceable ingredients. To avoid 1,4-
Dioxane, the Organic Consumers Association urges consumers to search ingredient lists for
indications of ethoxylation including:myreth, oleth, laureth, ceteareth, and any other “eth,” PEG,
polyethylene, polyethylene glycol, polyoxyethylene, or oxynol in ingredient names. Watch out for
“eths” and PEGS, and your health will thank you.
When I was writing this book, I suffered a lot of sleepless nights because I couldn’t stop thinking
about all the damage I have possibly done to my baby by using a breast pump made of plastic with
bisphenol-A or treating her bottom to PEG-containing baby wipes. The new research on 1,4-Dioxane
came out when the book was almost ready, and I developed a sort of mental immunity to these sort of
shocks. Without much surprise, I discovered that I was washing my baby’s cutlery and bottles with a
fruity-smelling dishwashing liquid that claimed to be “pure, earth-friendly, and all-natural.” It had the
name “Masha” scribbled on it to let all fellow dishwashers know that this supernatural and super
clean detergent must only be used on baby cutlery, cups, and bottles. Down the drain it went in an
instant. From now on, we wash our dishes with unscented organic liquid soap, and for baby cups and
bottles, it’s baking soda and a chunk of plain old-fashioned olive soap. I’d rather not take any
chances.
Green Fact
Most products tested positive for 1,4-Dioxane are foaming cleansers with sodium laureth sulfate, ammonium laureth
sulfate, or both, as the main ingredients.