Carcinogens Found in "Organic" Personal Care Products

Carcinogens Found in "Organic" Personal Care Products
A new study commissioned by the Organic Consumers Association (OCA)
found that many leading "natural" and "organic" brand shampoos, body
washes, and lotions contain the carcinogenic contaminant 1,4-Dioxane.

1,4-Dioxane is considered a chemical "known to the State of California
to cause cancer." It is a byproduct of the cancer-causing petrochemical
Ethylene Oxide, which is used as part of a short-cut process called
Ethoxylation, which makes harsh ingredients milder.
1,4-Dioxane is also suspected of being a kidney toxicant, neurotoxicant
and respiratory toxicant, among others, according to the California EPA.
It is also a leading groundwater contaminant.
Some of the leading organic and natural brands found to contain
1,4-Dioxane include:
* JASON Pure Natural & Organics
* Giovanni Organic Cosmetics
* Kiss My Face
* Nature's Gate Organics
To avoid 1,4-dioxane, OCA recommends reading ingredient labels and
avoiding products with indications of ethoxylation, which include:
"myreth," "oleth," "laureth," "ceteareth," any other "eth," "PEG,"
"polyethylene," "polyethylene glycol," "polyoxyethylene," or "oxynol,"
in ingredient names.
Sources: Organic Consumers Association March 14, 2008