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PRESERVATIVES

Products with this unspecific ingredient may be composed of any the specific substances listed below. The evidence shown is based on the most concerning group member.
Asthma/Respiratory
 
Some Concern
 
Skin Allergies &
Irritation
 
Moderate Concern
 
Developmental &
Reproductive Toxicity
 
No Data, Some Concern
 
Cancer
 
No Data, Some Concern
 
Environment
 
No Data, Some Concern
 
Top scoring factors: Evidence of damage to DNA; general systemic/organ effects; skin irritation/allergies/damage
This unspecific ingredient, Preservatives, can be found in 146 products.
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Evidence

Health issue
 
Level of Concern
 
Source
Preservatives
Suspected of causing genetic defects
 
high
 
EU GHS Hazard Labeling Codes: GHS Hazard Codes
Preservatives
Harmful if inhaled
Only in: Household Cleaners
 
moderate
 
EU GHS Hazard Labeling Codes: GHS Hazard Codes
Preservatives
fatal if inhaled
Only in: Household Cleaners
 
some
 
European Chemicals Agency (ECHA): GHS Data from ECHA Website
Preservatives
causes damage to organs
Only in: Household Cleaners
 
some
 
European Chemicals Agency (ECHA): GHS Data from ECHA Website
Preservatives
May cause an allergic skin reaction
Only in: Household Cleaners
 
some
 
EU GHS Hazard Labeling Codes: GHS Hazard Codes
Preservatives
Causes skin irritation
Only in: Household Cleaners
 
some
 
EU GHS Hazard Labeling Codes: GHS Hazard Codes
Preservatives
upper respiratory tract irritation
 
some
 
American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists (ACGIH): Threshold Limit Value (TLV) Basis
Preservatives
Harmful in contact with skin
Only in: Household Cleaners
 
some
 
European Chemicals Agency (ECHA): GHS Data from ECHA Website
Preservatives
Toxic of swallowed
Only in: Household Cleaners
 
some
 
European Chemicals Agency (ECHA): GHS Data from ECHA Website
Preservatives
may cause respiratory irritation
Only in: Household Cleaners
 
some
 
European Chemicals Agency (ECHA): GHS Data from ECHA Website
Preservatives
Causes serious eye irritation
Only in: Household Cleaners
 
some
 
EU GHS Hazard Labeling Codes: GHS Hazard Codes
Preservatives
Harmful if swallowed
Only in: Household Cleaners
 
some
 
European Chemicals Agency (ECHA): GHS Data from ECHA Website
Preservatives
May cause allergy or asthma symptoms of breathing difficulties if inhaled
Only in: Household Cleaners
 
some
 
European Chemicals Agency (ECHA): GHS Data from ECHA Website
Preservatives
not classifiable as a human carcinogen
 
low
 
American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists (ACGIH): Threshold Limit Value (TLV) Basis

Impurities

Health issue
 
Level of Concern
 
Source
Preservatives
Impurity: FORMALDEHYDE
Generally accepted as an asthmagen.
 
some
 
Association of Occupational and Environmental Clinics (AOEC): AOEC Exposure Code List (2020 Update)
Preservatives
Impurity: FORMALDEHYDE
Suspected of causing cancer
 
some
 
EU GHS Hazard Labeling Codes: GHS Hazard Codes
Preservatives
Impurity: FORMALDEHYDE
Causes severe skin burns and eye damage
Only in: Oven Cleaner; Drain Opener/Clog Remover; Hard Water Stain Remover; Toilet Cleaner; Stove Top Cleaner; Household Cleaners
 
some
 
EU GHS Hazard Labeling Codes: GHS Hazard Codes
Preservatives
Impurity: FORMALDEHYDE
May cause an allergic skin reaction
Only in: Household Cleaners
 
some
 
EU GHS Hazard Labeling Codes: GHS Hazard Codes
Preservatives
Impurity: FORMALDEHYDE
Known to cause cancer
 
some
 
California OEHHA (Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment): Proposition 65 List (2020 Update)
Preservatives
Impurity: FORMALDEHYDE
Carcinogenic to humans
 
some
 
International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC): Agents classified by the IARC Monographs (through Volume 127)
Preservatives
Impurity: FORMALDEHYDE
Known To Be Human Carcinogen
 
some
 
National Toxicology Program (NTP): NTP 14th Report on Carcinogens
Preservatives
Impurity: FORMALDEHYDE
Probably carcinogenic to humans
 
some
 
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA): EPA Integrated Risk Information System (IRIS) - Cancer
Preservatives
Impurity: FORMALDEHYDE
Toxic if swallowed
Only in: Household Cleaners
 
some
 
EU GHS Hazard Labeling Codes: GHS Hazard Codes
Preservatives
Impurity: FORMALDEHYDE
Toxic in contact with skin
Only in: Household Cleaners
 
some
 
EU GHS Hazard Labeling Codes: GHS Hazard Codes
Preservatives
Impurity: FORMALDEHYDE
Toxic if inhaled
Only in: Household Cleaners
 
some
 
EU GHS Hazard Labeling Codes: GHS Hazard Codes
Preservatives
Impurity: FORMALDEHYDE
Causes nasal cancer
 
some
 
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC): NIOSH Pocket Guide to Chemical Hazards
Preservatives
Impurity: FORMALDEHYDE
Generally accepted as an asthmagen.
 
some
 
Association of Occupational and Environmental Clinics (AOEC): AOEC Exposure Code List (2020 Update)
Preservatives
Impurity: FORMALDEHYDE
suspected human carcinogen
 
some
 
American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists (ACGIH): Threshold Limit Value (TLV) Basis
Preservatives
Impurity: FORMALDEHYDE
European Union Ecolabel program data shows this substance has high acute toxicity to aquatic life
 
some
 
EU Ecolabel: Detergents Ingredients Database
Preservatives
Impurity: FORMALDEHYDE
Causes severe skin burns and eye damage
Only in: Drain Opener/Clog Remover; Oven Cleaner; Hard Water Stain Remover; Toilet Cleaner; Stove Top Cleaner; Household Cleaners
 
some
 
EU GHS Hazard Labeling Codes: GHS Hazard Codes
Preservatives
Impurity: FORMALDEHYDE
Causes respiratory irritation
 
some
 
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC): NIOSH Pocket Guide to Chemical Hazards
Preservatives
Impurity: FORMALDEHYDE
Causes skin irritation
 
some
 
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC): NIOSH Pocket Guide to Chemical Hazards
Preservatives
Impurity: FORMALDEHYDE
May cause an allergic skin reaction
Only in: Household Cleaners
 
some
 
European Chemicals Agency (ECHA): GHS Data from ECHA Website
Preservatives
Impurity: FORMALDEHYDE
NTP Toxcast scored 1.5-2.5
 
some
 
National Toxicology Program (NTP): EWG Toxcast Analysis
Preservatives
Impurity: FORMALDEHYDE
causes serious eye irritation
Only in: Household Cleaners
 
some
 
European Chemicals Agency (ECHA): GHS Data from ECHA Website
Preservatives
Impurity: FORMALDEHYDE
eye irritation
 
low
 
American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists (ACGIH): Threshold Limit Value (TLV) Basis
Preservatives
Impurity: FORMALDEHYDE
EPA testing shows this substance has moderate acute toxicity to aquatic life
 
low
 
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA): EPA Fathead Minnow Acute Toxicity Database
Preservatives
Impurity: FORMALDEHYDE
EPA testing shows this substance has moderate acute toxicity to aquatic life
 
low
 
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA): EPA Fathead Minnow Acute Toxicity Database
Preservatives
Impurity: FORMALDEHYDE
The European Union Ecolabel program reports this substance is readily biodegradable.
 
low
 
EU Ecolabel: Detergents Ingredients Database
 
 
About the ratings About the ratings
EWG provides information on cleaning product ingredients from the published scientific... continue reading →
EWG provides information on cleaning product ingredients from published scientific literature, to supplement incomplete data available from companies and the government. The ratings indicate the relative level of concern posed by exposure to the ingredients in this product - not the product itself - compared to other product formulations. The ratings reflect potential health hazards but do not account for the level of exposure or individual susceptibility, factors that determine actual health risks, if any. (Hide)
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