Right now, the federal government is reviewing the safety of a chemical found in many personal care products, including those used by children.
The chemical is called 1,4-dioxane. In the draft review of the chemical, released in early September, the government said it doesn't plan to list 1,4-dioxane as 'toxic' - meaning the government plans to do nothing to protect Canadians' health from this cancer-causing chemical. Exposures to 1,4-dioxane have been linked to tumors of the liver, gallbladder, nasal cavity, lung, skin, and breast.
1,4-dioxane isn't even an ingredient in personal care products. It's a byproduct of manufacturing, and can be removed before products go on store shelves. But that's the problem. Companies aren't removing 1,4-dioxane before they sell their shampoo, shaving cream, baby wash, lipstick, aftershave and all the other products.
The U.S.-based Campaign for Safe Cosmetics tested children's bath products for 1,4-dioxane, and found it in 32 of 48 products, including brand name baby shampoo. A quick search of Environmental Working Group's
Cosmetics Databaseshows 1,4-dioxane in 22% or more of the 25,000 products listed. In other words, it's virtually impossible for Canadians to avoid this chemical.
The federal government needs to hear from Canadians that we expect our leaders to protect our health from harmful chemicals, particularly when they're found in products that we use on our bodies every day.
There's no need for 1,4-dioxane to be polluting us and our children.
Jennifer Foulds
Interim Policy Director
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