Dioxane is not an ingredient I want my household products to contain, at least if I have a choice.
[snip]The Organic Consumers Assn., an online public interest organization with over 850,000 members, investigated nearly 100 organic cosmetic, personal care and household cleaning formulas, and found that nearly 50% of them contain detectable levels of 1,4-dioxane, which is known to cause cancer in lab animals. None of the manufacturers disclosed this information on their labels, even though many had levels greater than 1,000 times the acceptable level.
The biggest offenders, per the OCA, were the "natural" dish detergents, including Citrus Magic 100% Natural Dish Liquid, Earth Friendly Products Ultra Dishmate, Method Dish Naturally Derived Ultra Concentrate, Planet Ultra Dishwashing Liquid and Seventh Generation Natural Dish Liquid.
[click to read more Cancer-Causing Contaminant Soils Cleaning Products]
David Steinman, a consumer advocate and author who directed the study, called the findings a wake-up call for the natural products industry: "To knowingly and unnecessarily put carcinogens into commerce in these modern times is cynical and barbaric. It betrays the public trust."
The brands will have to remove all "organic" branding and labeling from their packaging by Sept. 1., and manufacturers have until April 20 to agree to the terms, said Adam Eidinger, principal with Mintwood Media, Washington, a consulting firm that works with the OCA.
"If [manufacturers] do not comply, they will face a lawsuit accusing them of false and deceptive advertising and unfair and unlawful business practice under California law," Eidinger said. "No one is regulating natural claims and these carcinogens have cumulative effects on humans and the environment. Something needs to be done to create higher standards for these products."
and the non-culprits:
The OCA study also revealed that all products certified by the U.S. Department of Agriculture's National Organic Program were free of 1,4-dioxane. In order to receive the seal, 95% or more of the ingredients have to be organic. Brands found not to contain 1,4-dioxane include Burt's Bees, Clorox Green Works, Avalon Organics and Dr. Bronner's.
