1,4-dioxane

Description

1,4-dioxane is primarily used as stabilizer in solvents, such as the dry cleaning chemical trichloroethane, and as a solvent in lacquers, varnishes, paints, plastics, dyes, oils, waxes and resins. It may also be found in some paint/varnish strippers, automotive coolants, and in pesticides as an inert ingredient. Children may be exposed to 1,4-dioxane when products containing are used indoors, especially without adequate ventilation.

1,4-dioxane may also contaminate cosmetics and personal care products containing ethoxylated detergents (see “Detection ” below), including some shampoos, toothpastes and mouthwashes that children may use, as an accidental byproduct.

Health Effects

Immediate Health Effects

If SWALLOWED, 1,4-dioxane is Moderately Toxic
If ABSORBED THROUGH SKIN, 1,4-dioxane is Moderately Toxic
If INHALED (SNIFFED OR BREATHED IN), 1,4-dioxane is Not Available

Longterm or Delayed Health Effects

This chemical is likely to cause cancer. It is considered a Probable Carcinogen by the World Health Organization, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, or another agency.

Other

In laboratory animals, 1,4-dioxane causes cancer. It is considered a probable human carcinogen by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the World Health Organization International Agency for Research on Cancer.
May irritate skin.

How Exposures Occur

Breathing Air/Fumes

1,4-dioxane may be in products that are sprayed, such as pesticides, or may vaporize from products such as varnishes or dry cleaning fluids.

From Drinking Water

1,4-dioxane has been detected in well water near solid waste landfills and radioactive waste disposal sites. 1,4-dioxane does not easily biodegrade when it enters the environment.

From Food

Traces of 1,4-dioxane can be ingested along with food containing residues from packaging or sprayed with pesticides containing 1,4-dioxane as a solvent or inert ingredient.

Through the Skin

1,4-dioxane can readily penetrate skin and scalp during use of contaminated shampoos and other personal care products.

Significant Statistics

Even traces of 1,4-dioxane contamination are cause for concern, according to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission.

“1,4-Dioxane, CAS No. 123-91-1: Reasonably Anticipated to be a Human Carcinogen.” Tenth Report on Carcinogens. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Public Health Service, National Toxicology Program, December 2002.http://ehp.niehs.nih.gov/roc/tenth/profiles/s080diox.pdf

Between 10.5 and 18.3 million pounds of 1,4-dioxane were produced in the U.S. in 1990.

1,4-Dioxane Factsheet. Office of Pollution Prevention and Toxics, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, February 1995.http://www.epa.gov/opptintr/chemfact/dioxa-sd.txt

Nearly one million pounds of 1,4-dioxane were released into the U.S. environment in 1996, according to EPA Toxic Release Inventory estimates.

Solutions

How to detect 1,4-dioxane

Read labels on shampoo and mouthwash bottles and other personal care products. 1,4-dioxane may contaminate products containing the following ingredients (ethoxylated detergents): polyethylene, polyethylene glycol, PEG,or polyoxyethylene, or ingredients with part of their names ending in “-eth-”(such as sodium laureth sulfate) or “-oxynol” (such as nonoxynol and octoxynol). Searching for these ingredients in the National Library of Medicine’s Household Products Database will show a list of products that contain it.

How to minimize exposure to 1,4-dioxane

Alternatives

Natural personal care products are sold in natural foods stores. Some may also contain ethoxylated detergents and possibly 1,4-dioxane (see “Detection”), though, so read labels before purchasing.
Avoid pesticides in your home and garden. Instead, choose Integrated Pest Management. See Pest Control without Pesticides.

For More information

Books, articles, factsheets and reports

Other government agencies

U.S. Food and Drug Administration

Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition
5100 Paint Branch Parkway
College Park, MD 20740-3835
888-INFO-FDA (888-463-6332)

http://www.cfsan.fda.gov

National Toxicology Program

National Institute for Environmental Health Sciences
P.O.Box 12233
Research Triangle Park,NC 27709
919-541-3345

http://ntp-server.niehs.nih.gov/

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency

Office of Pollution Prevention and Toxics
Ariel Rios Building
1200 Pennsylvania Ave. NW
Washington DC 20460
202-260-1023

http://www.epa.gov/opptintr/

Nonprofit organizations

Cancer Prevention Coalition

c/o School of Public Health
University of Illinois Medical Center
2121 West Taylor Street
Chicago, IL 60612
312-996-2297

http://www.preventcancer.com