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PROPYLENE GLYCOL

 

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

Asthma/Respiratory
 
No Data, Some Concern
 
Skin Allergies &
Irritation
 
Some Concern
 
Developmental &
Reproductive Toxicity
 
Low Concern
 
Cancer
 
Low Concern
 
Environment
 
No Data, Some Concern
 
Top scoring factors: Low concern for general systemic/organ effects; cancer; damage to DNA
PROPYLENE GLYCOL can be found in 254 products.
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Evidence

Health issue
 
Level of Concern
 
Source
The Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry reports the metabolite of this substance causes effects on the blood at very high doses in laboratory animals.
Only in: Food Scores®
 
high
 
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services - Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry. 1997. TOXICOLOGICAL PROFILE FOR PROPYLENE GLYCOL.
The Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry reports this substance causes effects on the blood at very high doses in laboratory animals.
Only in: Food Scores®
 
moderate
 
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services - Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry. 1997. TOXICOLOGICAL PROFILE FOR PROPYLENE GLYCOL.
The Joint FAO/WHO Expert Committee on Food Additives reports this substances causes blood effects in laboratory animals at high doses.
Only in: Food Scores®
 
moderate
 
Joint FAO/WHO Expert Committee on Food Additives (JECFA). 1974. Toxicological evaluation of some food additives including anticaking agents, antimicrobials, antioxidants, emulsifiers, and thickening agents. WHO Food Additives Series, No. 5, 1974, nos 257-353 on INCHEM.
The Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry found cases of sensitivity recorded in the Propylene Glycol literature and concluded that it might be a sensitizer.
 
some
 
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services - Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry. 1997. Toxicological Profile For Propylene Glycol.
The Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry concluded that Propylene Glycol has marginal irritant properties.
 
some
 
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services - Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry. 1997. Toxicological Profile For Propylene Glycol.
NTP Toxcast scored 1.5-2.5
 
some
 
National Toxicology Program (NTP): EWG Toxcast Analysis
The OECD concluded that Propylene Glycol is not a skin irritant.
 
low
 
Organisation for Economic Co-Operation and Development. 2001. Propylene glycol CAS No. 57-55-6. SIDS Initial Assessment Report for 11th SIAM.
The OECD concluded that Propylene Glycol does not cause sensitization by skin contact.
 
low
 
Organisation for Economic Co-Operation and Development. 2001. Propylene glycol CAS No. 57-55-6. SIDS Initial Assessment Report for 11th SIAM.
The OECD reported that Propylene Glycol has ecotoxicity.
 
low
 
Organisation for Economic Co-Operation and Development. 2001. Propylene glycol CAS No. 57-55-6. SIDS Initial Assessment Report for 11th SIAM.
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)
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 OECD reported that Propylene Glycol has low oral acute toxicity.
 
low
 
Organisation for Economic Co-Operation and Development. 2001. Propylene glycol CAS No. 57-55-6. SIDS Initial Assessment Report for 11th SIAM.
The OECD reported that Propylene Glycol has low dermal acute toxicity.
 
low
 
Organisation for Economic Co-Operation and Development. 2001. Propylene glycol CAS No. 57-55-6. SIDS Initial Assessment Report for 11th SIAM.
The OECD concluded that Propylene Glycol is not genotoxic.
 
low
 
Organisation for Economic Co-Operation and Development. 2001. Propylene glycol CAS No. 57-55-6. SIDS Initial Assessment Report for 11th SIAM.
The OECD concluded that there is no evidence to suggest that Propylene Glycol has any carcinogenic potential.
 
low
 
Organisation for Economic Co-Operation and Development. 2001. Propylene glycol CAS No. 57-55-6. SIDS Initial Assessment Report for 11th SIAM.
The OECD concluded that Propylene Glycol is not a reproductive/developmental toxicant.
 
low
 
Organisation for Economic Co-Operation and Development. 2001. Propylene glycol CAS No. 57-55-6. SIDS Initial Assessment Report for 11th SIAM.
The Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry reported oral LD50 values for Propylene Glycol present in the scientific literature.
 
low
 
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services - Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry. 1997. Toxicological Profile For Propylene Glycol.
The Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry concluded that there is no evidence that Propylene Glycol is carcinogenic in humans or animals
 
low
 
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services - Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry. 1997. Toxicological Profile For Propylene Glycol.
The Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry found no evidence of in vitro genotoxicity.
 
low
 
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services - Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry. 1997. Toxicological Profile For Propylene Glycol.
 
 
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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