What Is 1,4-Dioxane Toxic Skincare Ingredient?
1,4-Dioxane Toxic Skincare Ingredient is a clear synthetic industrial chemical that is characterized by a faint pleasant odor. It easily mixes with water (miscible). It is a trace contaminant of some chemicals utilized in cosmetics, shampoos and detergents.
It is an unwanted byproduct of a popular ingredient processing method referred to as ethoxylation which is utilized to decrease the risk of skin irritation for ingredients that are petroleum-based.
It can easily be extracted from products prior to their sale but its widespread presence is enough proof that most manufacturers fail to undertake this simple step. Its synonyms include glycol ethylene ether, diethylene ether, diethylene oxide, diethylene dioxide, dioxan, p-dioxane and dioxane.
It is very unstable at elevated pressures and temperatures and with prolonged exposure to air or light may form explosive mixtures. It is very mobile and does not readily biodegrade in the environment.
What Is 1,4-Dioxane Toxic Skincare Ingredient Used For?
1,4-Dioxane Toxic Skincare Ingredient has a number of uses or applications, some of which include the following:
- It is used as a solvent in the manufacture of numerous chemicals. These solvents are used for cotton, textile and paper processing.
- It is used as a laboratory reagent.
- It is used as an effective trace contaminant in chemicals such as shampoos, detergents, hair lotions, bath foam, liquid dish-washing soap and cosmetics.
- It is used as an automotive coolant liquid.
Benefits
There are benefits associated with the use of 1,4-dioxane, some of which are:
- It is used as a stabilizer in solvents that are chlorinated.
- It is utilized in numerous products such as waxes, varnishes, greases, dyes and paint strippers.
- It is an impurity in antifreeze, as well as in aircraft deicing fluids.
- It is used in the manufacture of pharmaceuticals as a purifying agent.
The benefits listed above are enough proof that 1,4-dioxane is quite popular as it is being used in most products that people consume.
Side Effects of the 1,4-Dioxane Toxic Skincare Ingredient
- 1,4-dioxane has a few side effects associated with its use, the notable ones being:
- Short term exposure to 1,4-dioxane can result in irritation to the eyes, throat and even nose.
- Exposure to large quantities of 1,4-dioxane can result in both liver and kidney failure.
- It causes toxicity to non-reproductive organ systems.
- It can cause tumors of the breast, skin, lungs, nasal cavity, gall bladder and liver.
- It is a probable human carcinogen as indicated by tests on animals.
- It can be slightly toxic to a developing fetus. This makes it dangerous for expectant mothers.
- It can cause nausea and drowsiness. This is dangerous especially for individuals working in areas that have heavy machinery.
- It can cause dermatitis.
- It can cause eczema.
- It can result in headaches/ migraines.
Is the 1,4-Dioxane Toxic Skincare Ingredient Safe?
There are several factors that come into play to determine whether an exposure to 1,4-dioxane will cause harm to your health or not. The main factors include the dose and even the duration of time that you are in contact with it.
Other factors are family traits, state of health, lifestyle, sex, age and diet. However, the numerous side effects associated with its use make it relatively unsafe. It should therefore be avoided.
1,4-Dioxane Toxic Skincare Ingredient Summary Review
All in all, 1,4-dioxane is a toxic cosmetic ingredient that is considered to be carcinogenic in nature.
It is normally used to lessen the effect of harsh chemicals on household products but what most people do not realize is the fact that they are trading one harmful attribute for yet another. Consumers should investigate if their household products contain 1,4-dioxane.
