Designate 1,4-dioxane as "toxic" and get it out of personal care products

Let's get the cancer-causing 1,4-dioxane out of our personal care products! Last Saturday, the federal government said that it is not going to list this chemical as "toxic". We're not happy about that.

It's hard to believe the government's decision given that 1,4-dioxane is in all kinds of personal care products, from mascara to antiperspirant to lipstick to aftershave, and given that is considered "possibly carcinogenic to humans" by the International Agency for Research on Cancer. There's no excuse to have this chemical in our cosmetics. It can be easily removed from products before they are sold.

Urge the government to designate 1,4-dioxane as "toxic" and to make sure that manufacturers remove it from their products. Send a letter to government now.

You'll notice that parts of the letter use technical jargon. That's because this letter is going directly into government officials who are responsible for overseeing the safety assessment of the chemical.

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Dear Executive Director, Program Development and Engagement Division,

I am writing to you today about the recent decision published in Canada Gazette, Part I, Vol. 143, No. 36 - September 5, 2009 to not designate 1,4-dioxane as "toxic" in Canada. As you know, this chemical is an International Agency for Research on Cancer Group 2B carcinogen, on California's Prop 65 as a chemical known to cause cancer, and a European Commission Category 3 carcinogen. As you also know, it's everywhere in consumer products, including those used by children, even though it can be easily removed.

There is concern that assessing the extent of Canadian's protection from exposure to this obvious carcinogen was limited. This is because of, but not limited to, the:

  • Lack of drinking water tested for meaningful model input;
  • Limited number of personal care products considered; and
  • Various assumptions fed into exposure estimates.
Given the above, as well as its persistence in water, unknown interactive effects, and relatively small lower margin of exposure for levels at which no tumours or any harmful effects may occur, a precautionary approach should be applied and 1,4-dioxane should be designated as "toxic".

Testing in the US found 1,4-dioxane in Aveeno Baby Soothing Relief Creamy Wash, Johnson's Baby Shampoo, and other products on Canadian shelves. It is clear that action beyond addition to the Cosmetics Hotlist is needed to rid toxins from personal care products.

Thus, I urge you to show the world, once again, that Canada is a leader when it comes to protecting our health and our children's health from harmful chemicals: designate 1,4-dioxane as "toxic" and get manufacturers to remove it from our consumer products.

Thank you.

Sincerely,

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