I read an important article today that I wanted to share.  The chemical 1,4-dioxane is a “synthetic petrochemical carcinogen, in consumer products.”  Unfortunately it is not required by law to be listed on any consumer product labels.  Here is a list of the top 20 detergents highest in 1,4-dioxane to be avoided, including natural brands, along with a link to a website listing cleaning, baby, hair care & skin care products highest/lowest in 1,4-dioxane…

According to Ethan Huff with Natural News, hair care products, cleaning formulas and laundry detergents are all “susceptible to containing this toxic chemical byproduct, which is not listed on product labels.”  Because it is a known carcinogen that is implicated in causing cancer, liver disease and other serious problems, it is important to avoid it whenever possible.”

David Steinman from the Green Patriot Working Group (GPWG) began a study in 2007 to see which consumer products are the worst offenders.”  Here they are:

Conventional brands:
1. Tide (P&G) – 55 parts per million (ppm)
2. Ivory Snow Gentle (P&G) – 31 ppm
3. Tide Free (P&G) – 29 ppm
4. Purex (Dial Corp.) – 25 ppm
5. Gain 2X Ultra (P&G) – 21 ppm
6. Cheer BrightClean Detergent (P&G) – 20 ppm
7. Era 2X Ultra (P&G) – 14 ppm
8. Arm & Hammer (Church & Dwight Co.) – 5.0 ppm
9. Wisk 2X Ultra (Sun Products Corp.) – 3.9 ppm
10. Woolite Complete Detergent (Reckitt Benckiser) – 1.3 ppm
11. All laundry detergent (Unilever) – 0.6 ppm
12. Dreft powdered detergent (P&G) – non-detectable (ND)
13. Sun Burst (Sun Products Corp.) – ND

“Natural” brands:
1. Planet Ultra Liquid laundry detergent – 6.1 ppm
2. Mrs. Meyers laundry detergent – 1.5 ppm
3. Clorox Green Works Natural laundry detergent – ND
4. Ecos laundry detergent (Earth Friendly Products) – ND
5. Life Tree Laundry Liquid – ND
6. Method Squeaky Green laundry detergent – ND
7. Seventh Generation Free & Clear laundry detergent – ND

Avoid those 20 products above and please click on the link below to read more about specific products and brand names on the market high and low in this chemical.  Your skin is the largest organ so any chemical in your clothes from detergent, topical product used or cleaner inhaled affects your body directly!!

http://www.organicconsumers.org/bodycare/ShoppersSafetyGuide.pdf

Related posts:

1. Save Money and Your Hair Health with a Natural Recipe
2. 10 Cosmetic Ingredients to Avoid & My Favorite Natural Companies
3. Green Peace’s Shopping Guide to Avoid GMO Foods
4. The Connection Between Posture and Your Health
5. Pregnant Moms Especially Need to Avoid BPA