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CITRIC ACID

 

This ingredient is not currently on EWG's Restricted or Unacceptable Lists.

Asthma/Respiratory
 
No Data, Some Concern
 
Skin Allergies &
Irritation
 
No Data, Some Concern
 
Developmental &
Reproductive Toxicity
 
Low Concern
 
Cancer
 
Low Concern
 
Environment
 
No Data, Some Concern
 
Top scoring factors: Low concern for biodegradation; general systemic/organ effects; cancer
CITRIC ACID can be found in 860 products.
Print
 

Evidence

Health issue
 
Level of Concern
 
Source
NTP Toxcast scored 1.5-2.5
 
some
 
National Toxicology Program (NTP): EWG Toxcast Analysis
The international Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development found Citric Acid to have a low acute toxicity from study data available.
 
low
 
Organisation for Economic Co-Operation and Development. 2001. Citric acid - CAS No. 77-92-9. SIDS Initial Assessment Report for 11th SIAM.
European Union Ecolabel program data shows this substance has low chronic toxicity to aquatic life
 
low
 
EU Ecolabel: Detergents Ingredients Database
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
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)
EPA's review of industry submitted toxicity data and the potential for human exposure concludes that this substance poses a low risk for human health.
Only in: Household Cleaners
 
low
 
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA): EPA Hazard-Based Prioritizations - Risks
The European Union Ecolabel program reports this substance is readily biodegradable.
 
low
 
EU Ecolabel: Detergents Ingredients Database
The European Union Ecolabel program reports this substance is anaerobically degradable.
 
low
 
EU Ecolabel: Detergents Ingredients Database
The international Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development does not suspect Citric Acid of being a carcinogen.
 
low
 
Organisation for Economic Co-Operation and Development. 2001. Citric acid - CAS No. 77-92-9. SIDS Initial Assessment Report for 11th SIAM.
The international Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development does not suspect Citric Acid of being a reprotoxic or teratogenic agent.
 
low
 
Organisation for Economic Co-Operation and Development. 2001. Citric acid - CAS No. 77-92-9. SIDS Initial Assessment Report for 11th SIAM.
The international Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development does not suspect Citric Acid of being mutagenic based on both in vitro and in vivo studies.
 
low
 
Organisation for Economic Co-Operation and Development. 2001. Citric acid - CAS No. 77-92-9. SIDS Initial Assessment Report for 11th SIAM.
According to the international Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development, Citric Acid is not judged to be a substance that presents a hazard to the environment.
 
low
 
Organisation for Economic Co-Operation and Development. 2001. Citric acid - CAS No. 77-92-9. SIDS Initial Assessment Report for 11th SIAM.
 
 
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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