Evidence
Health issue
Level of Concern
Source
Nonionic surfactants
central nervous system impairment
central nervous system impairment
moderate
American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists (ACGIH): Threshold Limit Value (TLV) Basis
Nonionic surfactants
Causes respiratory irritation
Causes respiratory irritation
some
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC): NIOSH Pocket Guide to Chemical Hazards
Nonionic surfactants
upper respiratory tract irritation
upper respiratory tract irritation
some
American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists (ACGIH): Threshold Limit Value (TLV) Basis
Nonionic surfactants
NTP Toxcast scored 1.5-2.5
NTP Toxcast scored 1.5-2.5
some
National Toxicology Program (NTP): EWG Toxcast Analysis
Nonionic surfactants
European Union Ecolabel program data shows this substance has moderate acute toxicity to aquatic life
Only in: Household Cleaners
European Union Ecolabel program data shows this substance has moderate acute toxicity to aquatic life
Only in: Household Cleaners
low
EU Ecolabel: Detergents Ingredients Database
Nonionic surfactants
The European Union Ecolabel program reports this substance is readily biodegradable.
The European Union Ecolabel program reports this substance is readily biodegradable.
low
EU Ecolabel: Detergents Ingredients Database
Impurities
Health issue
Level of Concern
Source
Nonionic surfactants
Impurity: ETHYLENE OXIDE
May cause genetic defects
Impurity: ETHYLENE OXIDE
May cause genetic defects
some
EU GHS Hazard Labeling Codes: GHS Hazard Codes
Nonionic surfactants
Impurity: ETHYLENE OXIDE
May cause cancer
Impurity: ETHYLENE OXIDE
May cause cancer
some
EU GHS Hazard Labeling Codes: GHS Hazard Codes
Nonionic surfactants
Impurity: ETHYLENE OXIDE
Known to cause cancer
Impurity: ETHYLENE OXIDE
Known to cause cancer
some
California OEHHA (Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment): Proposition 65 List (2020 Update)
Nonionic surfactants
Impurity: ETHYLENE OXIDE
Known to cause reproductive toxicity (to females)
Impurity: ETHYLENE OXIDE
Known to cause reproductive toxicity (to females)
some
California OEHHA (Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment): Proposition 65 List (2020 Update)
Nonionic surfactants
Impurity: ETHYLENE OXIDE
Known to cause reproductive toxicity (to males)
Impurity: ETHYLENE OXIDE
Known to cause reproductive toxicity (to males)
some
California OEHHA (Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment): Proposition 65 List (2020 Update)
Nonionic surfactants
Impurity: ETHYLENE OXIDE
Known to cause reproductive toxicity
Impurity: ETHYLENE OXIDE
Known to cause reproductive toxicity
some
California OEHHA (Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment): Proposition 65 List (2020 Update)
Nonionic surfactants
Impurity: ETHYLENE OXIDE
Carcinogenic to humans
Impurity: ETHYLENE OXIDE
Carcinogenic to humans
some
International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC): Agents classified by the IARC Monographs (through Volume 127)
Nonionic surfactants
Impurity: ETHYLENE OXIDE
Known To Be Human Carcinogen
Impurity: ETHYLENE OXIDE
Known To Be Human Carcinogen
some
National Toxicology Program (NTP): NTP 14th Report on Carcinogens
Nonionic surfactants
Impurity: 1,4-DIOXANE
Suspected of causing cancer
Impurity: 1,4-DIOXANE
Suspected of causing cancer
some
EU GHS Hazard Labeling Codes: GHS Hazard Codes
Nonionic surfactants
Impurity: 1,4-DIOXANE
Known to cause cancer
Impurity: 1,4-DIOXANE
Known to cause cancer
some
California OEHHA (Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment): Proposition 65 List (2020 Update)
Nonionic surfactants
Impurity: 1,4-DIOXANE
Reasonably Anticipated To Be Human Carcinogen
Impurity: 1,4-DIOXANE
Reasonably Anticipated To Be Human Carcinogen
some
National Toxicology Program (NTP): NTP 14th Report on Carcinogens
Nonionic surfactants
Impurity: ETHYLENE OXIDE
Toxic if inhaled
Only in: Household Cleaners
Impurity: ETHYLENE OXIDE
Toxic if inhaled
Only in: Household Cleaners
some
EU GHS Hazard Labeling Codes: GHS Hazard Codes
Nonionic surfactants
Impurity: ETHYLENE OXIDE
Causes pulmonary edema
Impurity: ETHYLENE OXIDE
Causes pulmonary edema
some
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC): NIOSH Pocket Guide to Chemical Hazards
Nonionic surfactants
Impurity: ETHYLENE OXIDE
Causes skin corrosion
Only in: Oven Cleaner; Drain Opener/Clog Remover
Impurity: ETHYLENE OXIDE
Causes skin corrosion
Only in: Oven Cleaner; Drain Opener/Clog Remover
some
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC): NIOSH Pocket Guide to Chemical Hazards
Nonionic surfactants
Impurity: ETHYLENE OXIDE
Causes reproductive effects
Impurity: ETHYLENE OXIDE
Causes reproductive effects
some
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC): NIOSH Pocket Guide to Chemical Hazards
Nonionic surfactants
Impurity: ETHYLENE OXIDE
Causes leukemia
Impurity: ETHYLENE OXIDE
Causes leukemia
some
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC): NIOSH Pocket Guide to Chemical Hazards
Nonionic surfactants
Impurity: ETHYLENE OXIDE
Causes peritoneal cancer
Impurity: ETHYLENE OXIDE
Causes peritoneal cancer
some
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC): NIOSH Pocket Guide to Chemical Hazards
Nonionic surfactants
Impurity: ETHYLENE OXIDE
cancer
Impurity: ETHYLENE OXIDE
cancer
some
American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists (ACGIH): Threshold Limit Value (TLV) Basis
Nonionic surfactants
Impurity: ETHYLENE OXIDE
central nervous system impairment
Impurity: ETHYLENE OXIDE
central nervous system impairment
some
American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists (ACGIH): Threshold Limit Value (TLV) Basis
Nonionic surfactants
Impurity: ETHYLENE OXIDE
Asthmagen (irritation)
Impurity: ETHYLENE OXIDE
Asthmagen (irritation)
some
Association of Occupational and Environmental Clinics (AOEC): AOEC Exposure Code List (2020 Update)
Nonionic surfactants
Impurity: 1,4-DIOXANE
Causes cancer
Impurity: 1,4-DIOXANE
Causes cancer
some
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC): NIOSH Pocket Guide to Chemical Hazards
Nonionic surfactants
Impurity: 1,4-DIOXANE
liver damage
Impurity: 1,4-DIOXANE
liver damage
some
American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists (ACGIH): Threshold Limit Value (TLV) Basis
Nonionic surfactants
Impurity: ETHYLENE OXIDE
suspected human carcinogen
Impurity: ETHYLENE OXIDE
suspected human carcinogen
some
American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists (ACGIH): Threshold Limit Value (TLV) Basis
Nonionic surfactants
Impurity: 1,4-DIOXANE
Possibly carcinogenic to humans
Impurity: 1,4-DIOXANE
Possibly carcinogenic to humans
some
International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC): Agents classified by the IARC Monographs (through Volume 127)
Nonionic surfactants
Impurity: 1,4-DIOXANE
confirmed animal carcinogen with unknown relevance to humans
Impurity: 1,4-DIOXANE
confirmed animal carcinogen with unknown relevance to humans
some
American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists (ACGIH): Threshold Limit Value (TLV) Basis
Nonionic surfactants
Impurity: ETHYLENE OXIDE
May cause respiratory irritation
Only in: Household Cleaners
Impurity: ETHYLENE OXIDE
May cause respiratory irritation
Only in: Household Cleaners
some
EU GHS Hazard Labeling Codes: GHS Hazard Codes
Nonionic surfactants
Impurity: 1,4-DIOXANE
May cause respiratory irritation
Only in: Household Cleaners
Impurity: 1,4-DIOXANE
May cause respiratory irritation
Only in: Household Cleaners
some
EU GHS Hazard Labeling Codes: GHS Hazard Codes
Nonionic surfactants
Impurity: ETHYLENE OXIDE
Causes skin irritation
Only in: Household Cleaners
Impurity: ETHYLENE OXIDE
Causes skin irritation
Only in: Household Cleaners
some
EU GHS Hazard Labeling Codes: GHS Hazard Codes
Nonionic surfactants
Impurity: ETHYLENE OXIDE
Causes respiratory irritation
Impurity: ETHYLENE OXIDE
Causes respiratory irritation
some
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC): NIOSH Pocket Guide to Chemical Hazards
Nonionic surfactants
Impurity: 1,4-DIOXANE
Causes respiratory irritation
Impurity: 1,4-DIOXANE
Causes respiratory irritation
some
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC): NIOSH Pocket Guide to Chemical Hazards
Nonionic surfactants
Impurity: ETHYLENE OXIDE
Harmful if swallowed
Only in: Household Cleaners
Impurity: ETHYLENE OXIDE
Harmful if swallowed
Only in: Household Cleaners
some
European Chemicals Agency (ECHA): GHS Data from ECHA Website
Nonionic surfactants
Impurity: ETHYLENE OXIDE
Causes skin irritation
Impurity: ETHYLENE OXIDE
Causes skin irritation
some
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC): NIOSH Pocket Guide to Chemical Hazards
Nonionic surfactants
Impurity: ETHYLENE OXIDE
Causes eye corrosion
Only in: Drain Opener/Clog Remover; Oven Cleaner
Impurity: ETHYLENE OXIDE
Causes eye corrosion
Only in: Drain Opener/Clog Remover; Oven Cleaner
some
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC): NIOSH Pocket Guide to Chemical Hazards
Nonionic surfactants
Impurity: 1,4-DIOXANE
Causes skin irritation
Impurity: 1,4-DIOXANE
Causes skin irritation
some
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC): NIOSH Pocket Guide to Chemical Hazards
Nonionic surfactants
Impurity: ETHYLENE OXIDE
may cause respiratory irritation
Only in: Household Cleaners
Impurity: ETHYLENE OXIDE
may cause respiratory irritation
Only in: Household Cleaners
some
European Chemicals Agency (ECHA): GHS Data from ECHA Website
Nonionic surfactants
Impurity: ETHYLENE OXIDE
Causes serious eye irritation
Only in: Household Cleaners
Impurity: ETHYLENE OXIDE
Causes serious eye irritation
Only in: Household Cleaners
some
EU GHS Hazard Labeling Codes: GHS Hazard Codes
Nonionic surfactants
Impurity: 1,4-DIOXANE
Causes serious eye irritation
Only in: Household Cleaners
Impurity: 1,4-DIOXANE
Causes serious eye irritation
Only in: Household Cleaners
some
EU GHS Hazard Labeling Codes: GHS Hazard Codes
Nonionic surfactants
Impurity: ETHYLENE OXIDE
Causes serious eye damage
Only in: Household Cleaners
Impurity: ETHYLENE OXIDE
Causes serious eye damage
Only in: Household Cleaners
some
European Chemicals Agency (ECHA): GHS Data from ECHA Website
Nonionic surfactants
Impurity: ETHYLENE OXIDE
Causes skin irritation
Only in: Household Cleaners
Impurity: ETHYLENE OXIDE
Causes skin irritation
Only in: Household Cleaners
some
European Chemicals Agency (ECHA): GHS Data from ECHA Website
Nonionic surfactants
Impurity: ETHYLENE OXIDE
causes serious eye irritation
Only in: Household Cleaners
Impurity: ETHYLENE OXIDE
causes serious eye irritation
Only in: Household Cleaners
some
European Chemicals Agency (ECHA): GHS Data from ECHA Website
Nonionic surfactants
Impurity: ETHYLENE OXIDE
This substance is Generally Recognized as Safe (GRAS) as a food additive by the US Food and Drug Administration
Only in: Household Cleaners
Impurity: ETHYLENE OXIDE
This substance is Generally Recognized as Safe (GRAS) as a food additive by the US Food and Drug Administration
Only in: Household Cleaners
low
U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA): FDA - Priority based Assessment of Food Additive (PAFA)
Nonionic surfactants
Impurity: 1,4-DIOXANE
EPA testing shows this substance has low acute toxicity to aquatic life
Impurity: 1,4-DIOXANE
EPA testing shows this substance has low acute toxicity to aquatic life
low
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA): EPA Fathead Minnow Acute Toxicity Database
