Alert from Organic Consumers Association

I just received an alert from the Organic Consumers Association (OCA) that I found quite frightening. They commissioned a study in which they tested nearly 100 personal products bearing either "organic" or "natural" on their labels for one carcinogenic ingredient, 1,4-Dioxane. Several of the products tested positive for this ingredient, including some products that are "certified organic."

I learned that not all certifications are created equal. The cosmetic and personal care industry has created some of its own certifications, including Ecocert and OASIS standards. Products certified by the USDA or the German Natural BDIH Certified brands did not contain any detectable presence of this chemical. (Look for these emblems.)

Another scary fact? You won't find this ingredient on the label. 1,4-Dioxane is considered a byproduct, none of which are required to be listed. This particular byproduct results from Ethoxylation, a process companies use to provide mildness to harsh ingredients. The process requires the use of the cancer-causing petrochemical Ethylene Oxide. You will know whether a product has been treated in this manner by finding "myreth," "oleth," "laureth," "ceteareth," any other "eth," "PEG," "polyethylene," "polyethylene glycol," "polyoxyethylene," or "oxynol," in ingredient names on the label.

I actually found products that I have in my home on their list, including Planet ultra dishwashing liquid that I got from Safeway (20.3 parts per million). (Ingredients on this label include "Coconut Oil Based Cleaners, Salt, and Sodium Bicarbonate" only! There is no indication that it has been treated with any petroleum-based ingredients or processes.)

I also recognized several names that are sold in our health food stores here and that I have purchased before, including some of the Jason products (ranging from Not Detectable to 11.9 parts per million), Kiss My Face (Not Detectable to 6.3 ppm), and Nature's Gate (Not Detectable to 3.5 ppm). The highest detected level was found in Citrus Magic 100% Natural Dish Liquid (97.1 ppm).

Brands I have used that consistently did not have any of the chemical detected include Aubrey Organics (BDIH Certified), Dr. Bronners (USDA Certified) and Burt's Bees (couldn't find information about certification on their website, but they say they have a percent natural bar to let consumers know exactly what percent of their ingredients in each product are natural. They also have pages on their site to educate about natural ingredients and misleading labeling.)

From the OCA press release, you can download the full list of products tested and the levels detected and a fact sheet that discusses the specific dangers of 1,4-Dioxane. Be an informed consumer!