The Nasties: Our Never-Ever List

Toxic, Carcinogen

Why is it Nasty?
Formaldehyde is a very toxic chemical and at high enough levels, can even be lethal. When humans are repeatedly exposed to formaldehyde at low levels the chemical can cause irratation and have toxic or carcinogenic effects. It may suprise you to learn that formaldehyde is present in many common household products even though it is not listed anywhere on the product label. There are many common preservatives that work by releasing formaldehyde over time which is a very potent biocide. Without reasearching each ingredient indepth, it is impossible to recognize these formaldehyde releasing preservatives by their chemical name.

How do I find it?
Formladehyde releasing preservatives are tricky to spot, as they can come from a variety of chemical classes and their chemical names are diverse. The easiest way to avoid these toxic chemicals is to watch out for some of the most commonly used nasties in this class: Bronopol, Diazolidinyl Urea, Disteardimonium Hectoride, DMDM hydantoin, Imidazolidinyl Urea, Methylene Glycol, Nitromethylidynetrimethanol, and Quaternium-15. Another way to spot safer options is to look for the “formaldehyde free” claim on a product.

Endocrine disruptor

Why is it Nasty?
Phthalates are endocrine disruptors that are typically found in fragrances. They disrupt our hormones, which are essential for almost every biological process in our body. Phthalates are also reproductive toxins and have been shown to cause birth defects.

How do I find it?
Some phthalates are easy to spot in ingredient lists, such as DBP (di-n-butyl phthalate), DEP (diethyl phthalate), DEHP (di-[2-ethylhexyl] phthalate), BEHP (bis [2-ethylhexyl] phthalate), BzBP (benzylbutyl phthalate) and DMP (dimethyl phthalate). Unfortunately, phthalates are often a component of fragrances, so they’re not directly listed on the label. Look for products with a “phthalate-free” claim. Another common phthalate to avoid is BPA (bisphenol-A) in plastic packaging, so look for “BPA-free” products.

Carcinogen, neurotoxin

Why is it Nasty?
1,4-dioxane is a known carcinogen and neurotoxin that is always present in trace amounts when ethoxylated surfactants are used. Ethoxylated surfactants are made by a chemical process called ethoxylation, where ethylene oxide reacts with other chemicals to create a surfactant. The problem with ethoxylation is that it can create the harmful byproduct 1,4-dioxane. 1,4-dioxane can also show up in the supply chain through cross-contamination.

How do I find it?
While 1,4-dioxane is never listed on labels because it’s not an intentionally listed ingredient, there are some easy tricks to avoid it. Ethoxylated surfactants usually follow a few naming conventions. If the ingredient ends in “-eth”, such as laureth-6 or sodium laureth sulfate (SLES), ceteareth or steareth, it’s ethoxylated.

Oxidizer, Skin And Eye Corrosion, Toxic If Inhaled, Respiratory Irritation, Very Toxic To Aquatic Life

Why is it Nasty?
Chlorine gas is a highly reactive chemical that can be fatal if inhaled in large quantities. When common household chlorine bleach is mixed with other chemicals, it can produce toxic chlorine fumes. Even in small amounts, bleach can damage lungs and cause irritation and burns to skin and eyes. When bleach is used in industrial purposes, such as whitening paper, the process creates dangerous organochlorine byproducts, which have negative effects on ecosystems.

How do I find it?
Chlorine bleach is listed by it’s chemical name “Sodium hypochlorite” on labels

Endocrine disruptor

Why is it Nasty?

Parabens are a class of synthetic preservatives regularly found in many commercial products. Studies have shown that parabens mimic estrogen in the body, which can have potentially harmful effects, such as harming fertility and increasing cancer risk. They can also cause skin irritation.

How do I find it?

Common paraben preservatives have names like methylparaben, butylparaben and polyparaben.

Carcinogen, toxic

Why is it Nasty?
PEG stands for Polyethylene glycol. PEGs increase the absorption of chemicals through the skin, especially those PEGs with a lower molecular weight. This is of concern as many products contain a mixture of chemicals, not all of which are completely benign. Moreover, the manufacturing process of PEG leaves an impurity in the ingredient called 1,4-dioxane which is a known carcinogen. PEG can facilitate the absorption of 1,4-dioxane into the skin causing potentially negative health side effects.

How do I find it?
Typically, you will see PEG listed with a number such as PEG20 or PEG100; these numbers represent molecular weight.

Contribute To Asthma And Breathing Problems, Irritates Skin, Reduces Fertility, Birth Defects, Quat and Antibiotic Resistent Microbs

Why is it Nasty?

Quats (quaternary ammonium cations) are widely used as an active ingredient in most household disinfectants but are also found in everything from shampoo to laundry softeners. The positive charge on a quat molecule is what makes it disruptive to microbes as a disinfectant, but it’s also what is irritating to skin and lungs. Research shows wide-ranging health concerns for quats, from allergies, dermatitis and asthma to reproductive toxicity.

How do I find it?

Avoid any ingredients listed as “cationic surfactants” and commonly used quats such as benzalkonium chloride, benzethonium chloride, alkyl dimethyl benzyl ammonium chloride, alkyl dimethyl ethylbenzyl ammonium chloride, didecyldimethylammonium chloride, dioctyldimethylammonium chloride, distearyldimonium chloride and hydroxyethyl methylammonium methylsulfate.

Bioaccumulation, irritants

Why is it Nasty?
Optical brighteners represent a prime example of chemicals added to a formula to “over-engineer” performance. These pollutants, most often found in laundry detergents, are similar to fluorescent dye. In the wash, they do not contribute to cleansing at all. In fact, they do precisely what their name hints: they coat fabric with this “fluorescence.” so that whites and colors appear brigther by refecting more light. The problem is that optical brigtheners are not biodegradable formula and will bioaccumulate and pollute the environment. They are designed to not “wash out”, but instead desposit on the surface of a fabric and can irritant sensitive skin.

How do I find it?
One easy way to avoid optical brighteners in laundry detergent is to look for clear products that do not have any irridesence/fluorescence.. (Did you know that under a UV light, optical brigtheners will glow?) In looking at ingredient labels, look for products that are made without optical brighteners. Some common optical brighteners are: coumarins, naphthotriazolylstilbenes, benzoxazolyl, benzimidazoyl, naphthylimide, and diaminostilbene disulfonates

Carcinogen

Why is it Nasty?

Ethanolamines are surfactants and emulsifiers that break down into toxins called nitrosamines, which are carcinogenic. Most ethanolamines are now listed on California’s Prop 65 list as known carcinogens, but they’re still widely used in a variety of common household products, including laundry detergents and surface cleaners.

How do I find it?

Luckily, most ethanolamine compounds are easily spotted on ingredient labels, as they contain either TEA, DEA or MEA in their chemical name, such as cocamide DEA.

Aquatic toxicity, Dermal toxicity, Oral toxicity, Petroleum derived

Why is it Nasty?

While not all polymers are nasty, some of those commonly found in dish detergents can have serious, negative effects on both human and environmental heath. The specific effects to be aware of will depend on the polymer in your product but they may include carcinogenic contaminates such as 1,4-dioxane or may be toxic to aquatic life by bioacuumulating in thier systems. Many are made from petroleum sources and thier production process results in harmful waste byproducts. Keeping synthetic polymers out of your dish soap will help to keep them out of our water systems too.

How do I find it?

Polymers will be listed as a chemical name followed by the words “polymer”, “copolymer” or “crosspolymer”. A common class are PEG polymers such as “Peg-22 / Dodecyl Glycol Copolymer”.

Eutrophication, pollutant

Why is it Nasty?

Phosphates are found throughout nature and have a variety of functions depending on their chemical structure. They are widely used in commercial products for their ability to capture metal ions, softening the water. However, phosphates are very toxic to aquatic ecosystems. They can dramatically increase algae populations, which disrupts the aquatic ecosystem in many ways, killing fish and other aquatic organisms. Many states have banned or restricted the use of phosphates. Since phosphates are washed directly down the drain, it’s important to choose phosphate-free products to maintain the health of aquatic ecosystems.

How do I find it?

Most phosphates are easy to identify by the word “phosphate” in their chemical name, such as tetrasodium pyrophosphate.

Flammable gas, Causes Severe Skin Burns And Eye Damage, Toxic If Inhaled, Very Toxic To Aquatic Life

Why is it Nasty?

Ammonia is a corrosive chemical that can cause burns to the skin and eyes. It can also cause severe irritaition to the respiratory tract when inhaled. Not only in ammonia harmful to humans, but it toxic to aquatic life as well. Beacuse aquatic animals have a difficult time processing ammonia, the toxin can build up in thier systems resulting in severe illness or death. It is especially important to avoid ammonia in surface cleaners as they are usually applied with a sprayer, which will introduce a mist into the air, increasing your chances of repiratory irritation.

How do I find it?

Ammonia is most commonly listed on product labels as “ammonium hydroxide” but may be listed as “ammonia” as well. In addition to reading the product label, you may be able to smell ammonia if it is contained in a product. Ammonia has a very strong, pungent odor.

Irritant, endocrine disruptor, reproductive toxin

Why is it Nasty?

Borax is a naturally occuring mineral that is mostly used in laundry and cleaning products as a stain remover. It is a known irritant for both skin and lungs and has also been indentified as an endocrine disruptor and reproductive toxin. Borax is marketing and sold as a stain remover for baby stains alone & it is also commonly added to baby detergent formulations to boost stain removal efficacy.

How do I find it?

Listed on ingredient labels as either sodium borate, sodium tetraborate, or disodium tetraborate

Endocrine disruptor, neurotoxin, reproductive toxin

Why is it Nasty?

Siloxanes and Silicones are widely used in cosmetic, personal care, and household cleaning products for a wide range of functions in a formula. In baby products, these are used in laundry detergents and laundry softeners for a softening feel on the fabric. These nasties should be avoided, as they are known endocrine disruptors, and have been shown to have negative effects on both nervous and reproductive systems.

How do I find it?

Avoid these chemicals: Dimethicone (polydimethylsiloxane), Decamethylcyclopentasiloxane, Amodimethicone, Cyclotetrasiloxane, Cylcopentasiloxane, Cyclohexasiloxane,Cyclomethicone.

Toxins

Why is it Nasty?

Aerosols are made to quickly and effectively disperse liquids into the air. If those liquid products contain toxins, the chemicals are vaporized and become easy to inhale. Repeated exposure to toxic aerosols can damage the nervous system or irritate the skin and lungs, depending on the chemicals in the formula. Aerosols also contribute to poor indoor air quality. Many fabric and air care products are sold in aerosol cans.

How do I find it?

To avoid Aerosols, avoid products that are sold in a pressurized can.