1,4-Dioxane: Carcinogen in Baby Cleanser

Live Holistically is a multi-author site.
This post was written by: Carol Webb

Outraged Mothers
It recently came to the attention of a group of concerned mothers, that they were unknowingly using unsafe chemicals in their children’s bathing routines.

This is a horrendous fact, and they were justifiably outraged to find that the long arm of the chemical industry has penetrated what should be a sacred area…our children.

1,4-Dioxane:Carcinogen
The chemical in this particular outrage goes by the unprepossessing name of 1,4-Dioxane, but it has many more impressive aliases: Diethylene Dioxide, 1,4-Diethylene Dioxide, Diethylene Ether, Glycol Ethylene Ether, Dioxane-1,4, Tetrahydro-p-Dioxin and Tetrahydro-1,4-Dioxin. Are you suitably impressed?

This is taken from the United states Environmental Fact Sheet (7407):

To give it its shortest name:

Dioxane, is used in solvent applications for the manufacturing sector but also found in fumigants and automotive coolant. Additionally it is also used as a foaming agent and appears as an accidental by- product of the ethoxylation process in cosmetics manufacture. It may contaminate cosmetics and personal care products such as: deodorants, shampoos, toothpastes and mouthwashes.

Wars Create Shortage

We owe this manufactured wonder product to the break through in technology caused by a lack of soap during World Wars 1 and 2.

By 1953 sales of detergents in the U.S.A. had surpassed those of soap.

Some Facts
It isn’t possible to write this article without bombarding you with facts, but you will see that they are relevant when you read that:

Dioxane is a probable carcinogen, harmful by inhalation, ingestion and through skin contact. It is an irritant and can cause birth defects. The personal protection advised for use with this chemical is: safety glasses, gloves, good ventilation because it must be treated as a possible carcinogen. This information was obtained from the chemical industry and last updated 31st January 2007

Dioxane’s Clever Trick
Dioxane has one final trick that no-one can do anything about: it comes about accidentally. This means that, although it is a chemical in its own right, C4H8O2, and could be added to products physically, it doesn’t need to be because it builds itself from the chemical soup of manufacture. Therefore, in its wisdom, the FDA does not require it to be listed as an ingredient on product labels.

You will never know if the product you are using is a carcinogen.

This is a direct quote from Jeanne Rizzo R.N. , Executive Director of the Breast Cancer Fund which is a founder member of the company for safe cosmetics:

“Regrettably, 1,4-Dioxane contamination is just the tip of the iceberg. Because the FDA does not require cosmetic products to be approved as safe before they are sold, companies can put unlimited amounts of toxic chemicals in cosmetics.”

What You Can Do
It is not my intention to leave you with the impression that you are unable to do anything about the products that you use for yourself, your children and your pets. There is an alternative, and one that is literally as old as the hills…. Soap.

A Bit Of Soap History
The English began making soap in the 12th century, and well into the 19th century, soap was thought to be so useful that it was heavily taxed. When the tax was removed and it became easily available for poorer people, cleanliness standards improved.

War Solves Problem of Soap Shortage it Created
Moving forward to World War 1, soap was needed for soldiers making supplies short on the home front. Detergents were invented mid wars so that by the time troops needed great quantities once more, the chemicals were ready. Between 1946 and 1953 the industry took over the soap industry developing into the industry that we know today.

In 1996 the European Union declared that soap was a dangerous substance, and needed to be regulated with every single ingredient listed on the label, tested by a chemist for toxic substances and an expensive certificate issued. The final insult was that it was now illegal to call soap soap, as that was a trademark of the chemical industry. Soap must now be called wash bar or cleansing bar anything but soap.

Soap Makers Keep Craft Alive
But some intrepid soap-makers kept the craft alive, and now this product is by far safer than the chemical soups that masquerade under the name ’soap’. We still need to be careful when buying hand-made soap because the E.U. laws permit Fragrance Oil to be added. Fragrance oil can be made up of any of 4000 chemicals, and many people have reported allergies and reactions on use. This would be classed as anecdotal evidence, and not a fact by the chemical industry. It therefore remains a caveat emptor (buyer beware) situation.

I have found a tiny soap producer ‘The Crazy Otter Company’ in Labrador and Newfoundland who sells wonderful soap, made using essential oils and berries that she picks herself or you can do as I do, make my own.

2 wonderful books to get your soap making skills started.