ZINC OXIDE (sunscreen grade > 100nm)

Score	Data: Fair
CAS	1314-13-2
sunscreen: SPF greater than 30 (176 products)
sunscreen: SPF 15-30 (128 products)
sunscreen: moisturizer (93 products)
baby sunscreen (47 products)
foundation (30 products)
Show all 227 products that contain ZINC OXIDE (sunscreen grade > 100nm).
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ZINC OXIDE (sunscreen grade > 100nm)

image source: PubChem

Health concerns of ingredient
About the ratings
Cancer
Developmental & reproductive toxicity	no information
Allergies & immunotoxicity	no information
Use restrictions	no information
Contamination concerns: none
Other HIGH concerns: Enhanced skin absorption, Biochemical or cellular level changes
Other MODERATE concerns: Organ system toxicity (non-reproductive), Occupational hazards
Other LOW concerns: Ecotoxicology, Data gaps

About the ratings

EWG provides information on personal care product ingredients from the published scientific literature, to supplement incomplete data available from companies and the government. The ratings below 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 which determine actual health risks, if any. Learn more | Legal Disclaimer

Function/use(s): COSMETIC COLORANT

About ZINC OXIDE (sunscreen grade > 100nm): Sunscreens with micronized zinc oxide may contain nanoparticles. Micronized zinc offers improved sun protection compared to larger particles. Micronized zinc particles do not penetrate healthy skin to ... read more

Synonym(s): ZINC OXIDE, MICRONIZED ZINC OXIDE; ZINC OXIDE; ZINC OXIDE; ZINC OXIDE (ZNO) ; ZNO; NOGENOL; ZINC GELATIN; A&D MEDICATED OINTMENT; DOME PASTE BANDAGE; RVPAQUE; SUPERTAH; ZIRADRYL

Biochemical or cellular level changes
type of concern	product conditions	reference
Produces excess reactive oxygen species that can interfere with cellular signaling, cause mutations, lead to cell death and may be implicated in cardiovascular disease.		Hidaka H, Kobayashi, H, 2006
Produces excess reactive oxygen species that can interfere with cellular signaling, cause mutations, lead to cell death and may be implicated in cardiovascular disease.		Sharma V, Shukla RK, Saxena N, Parmar D, Das M, Dhawan A, 2009

Organ system toxicity (non-reproductive)

type of concern

product conditions

reference

Classified as expected to be toxic or harmful

Environment Canada Domestic Substance List

Possible human respiratory toxicant

Association of Occupational and Environmental Clinics

Occupational hazards
type of concern	product conditions	reference
Allowed workplace exposures restricted to moderate doses		National Library of Medicine HazMap
Moderate evidence of occupational hazards	products that may be aerosolized (airborne)	Gordon T, Fine JM, 1993

Cancer

type of concern

product conditions

reference

One or more in vitro tests on mammalian cells show positive mutation results

Brunner TJ, Wick P, Manser P, Spohn P, Grass RN, Bruinink A, et al, 2006

Ecotoxicology

type of concern

product conditions

reference

Suspected to be an environmental toxin and be persistent or bioaccumulative

Environment Canada Domestic Substance List

Decreased skin absorption
type of concern	product conditions	reference
Limited potential to absorb into the skin.		Pirot F, Millet J, Kalia YN, Humbert P, 1996
Limited potential to absorb into the skin.		Gulson B, McCall MJ, Gomez L, Korsch M, Casey P, Kinsley L, 2010

Developmental/reproductive toxicity
type of concern	product conditions	reference
Not likely to be a reproductive toxicant in humans		European Chemicals Bureau, 2004

Persistence and bioaccumulation
type of concern	product conditions	reference
Not suspected to be bioaccumulative		Environment Canada Domestic Substance List

Enhanced skin absorption
type of concern	product conditions	reference
Nano-scale ingredients with potential to absorb into the skin		Nanomaterial Database
Nano-scale ingredients with potential to absorb into the skin		FDA (U, 2006

Data gaps
type of concern	product conditions	reference
Not assessed for safety in cosmetics by industry panel
7,906 studies in PubMed science library may include information on the toxicity of this chemical see search results ->		PubMed

Multiple, additive exposure sources
type of concern	product conditions	reference
Designated as safe for general or specific, limited use in food		FDA Everything Added to Food
Designated as safe for general or specific, limited use in food		FDA Food Additive Status

Government, industry, academic studies and classifications
government/industry list/academic study	appears on list as	classification(s)
European Union - Classification & Labelling	ZINC OXIDE	N; R50-53
FDA Food Additive Status	ZINC OXIDE	• NUTR/DS • GRAS • GMP - CFR182.5991; 182.8991
Association of Occupational and Environmental Clinics	ZINC	• ARs
FDA Everything Added to Food	ZINC OXIDE	• ASP
Environment Canada Domestic Substance List	ZINC OXIDE (ZNO)	Y-Categorization,,Low-Health Priority,Y-Persistent,,Y-AquaticTox,,,,
CTFA International Cosmetic Ingredient Dictionary and Handbook	ZINC OXIDE	Color Additives - Exempt from Batch Certification by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration
IFRA Fragrance Ingredient List	ZINC OXIDE (ZNO)	reported as used in fragrance compounds in 2008
National Library of Medicine HazMap	ZINC OXIDE	SD: No;PE: 5 mg/m3(fume and respirable dust), 15 mg/m3(total dust);ST: 10 mg/m3, respirable fraction;TL: 2 mg/m3, respirable fraction ;ID: 500 mg/m3;MA: 1 mg/m3, respirable fraction(fume);
Nanomaterial Database	ZINC OXIDE	potential nano-scale ingredient
Nanomaterial Database	NANO-SCALE INGREDIENT	nano-scale ingredient
EPA Toxic Release Inventory PBTs	ZINC COMPOUNDS	Toxic under the EPA's Toxics Release Inventory
Pirot F, Millet J, Kalia YN, Humbert P, 1996	MICRONIZED ZINC OXIDE	Zinc oxide (micronized or ACS grade) is not absorbed by intact or injured skin
Brunner TJ, Wick P, Manser P, Spohn P, Grass RN, Bruinink A, et al, 2006	MICRONIZED ZINC OXIDE	Micronized zinc oxide (188nm effective particle size) found to damage DNA and mitochondria in human (MSTO-211H) and rat (3T3) cells
SCCNFP, 2003	MICRONIZED ZINC OXIDE	Clastogenic (and aneugenic) in Chinese hamster cells
FDA (U, 2006	NANO-SCALE INGREDIENTS	Nano scale (<100 nm primary particle size) ingredients may absorb into skin
Cross SE, Innes B, Roberts MS, Tsuzuki T, Robertson TA, McCormick P, 2007	MICRONIZED ZINC OXIDE	In vitro study did not detect penetration of nanoparticulate zinc oxide into lower stratum corneum or viable epidermis
Gojova A, Guo B, Kota RS, Rutledge JC, Kennedy IM, Barakat AI, 2007	ZINC OXIDE (ZNO) NANOPARTICLES	Zinc oxide nanoparticles are cytotoxic when applied directly to cultured human aortic endothelial cells and cause considerable cell death.
Adams, L, 2006	NANO-SCALE ZINC OXIDE	Zinc oxide demonstrated increased antibacterial activity increasing with particle concentration
Sayes CM, Reed KL, Warheit DB, 2007	NANO ZINC OXIDE	Nano- and fine-sized zinc oxide produced potent but reversible inflammation of the lungs, which was resolved by 1 month post-instillation exposure.
Gordon T, Fine JM, 1993	ZINC OXIDE	Inhalation causes acute but reversible health effects--fever, intense shaking, chills, fever, and body pain.
Gordon T, Fine JM, 1993	ZINC OXIDE	Zinc inhalation causes metal fume fever, an acute self-limited illness. Zinc oxide is the most common cause.
Sharma V, Shukla RK, Saxena N, Parmar D, Das M, Dhawan A, 2009	NANO-SCALE ZINC OXIDE	ZnO NPs even at low concentrations possess a genotoxic potential in human epidermal cells
Hidaka H, Kobayashi, H, 2006	NANO-SCALE ZINC OXIDE
Dufour E, et al, 2006	NANO-SCALE ZINC OXIDE	UV irradiation provoked a sensitivity to the cellular test system and a slight increase in the genotoxic potency of zinc oxide
European Chemicals Bureau, 2004	ZINC OXIDE	Not likely to be a reproductive toxicant
Hidaka H, Kobayashi, H, 2006	ZINC OXIDE (EXTRACTED FROM SUNSCREEN)	All of the ZnO specimens extracted from Japanese sunscreen lotions cause considerable damage to the DNA plasmids, with variation between brands.
Dufour E, et al, 2006	ZINC OXIDE	UV irradiation provoked a sensitivity to the cellular test system and a slight increase in the genotoxic potency of zinc oxide
European Chemicals Bureau, 2004	ZINC OXIDE	Not likely to be a reproductive toxicant
Sharma V, Shukla RK, Saxena N, Parmar D, Das M, Dhawan A, 2009	ZINC OXIDE	Zinc particles damaged DNA and increased oxidative stress in human epidermal cells in-vitro.
Gulson B, McCall MJ, Gomez L, Korsch M, Casey P, Kinsley L, 2010	ZINC OXIDE (NANO)	Preliminary data shows limited skin penetration ~ 0.4% for both bulk and nanoparticle zinc oxide.
Gulson B, McCall MJ, Gomez L, Korsch M, Casey P, Kinsley L, 2010	ZINC OXIDE	Preliminary data shows limited skin penetration ~ 0.4% for both bulk and nanoparticle zinc oxide.
Sharma V, Shukla RK, Saxena N, Parmar D, Das M, Dhawan A, 2009	ZINC OXIDE	ZnO NPs even at low concentrations possess a genotoxic potential in human epidermal cells
Sharma V, Shukla RK, Saxena N, Parmar D, Das M, Dhawan A, 2009	ZINC OXIDE	Zinc particles damaged DNA and increased oxidative stress in human epidermal cells in-vitro.
California EPA, Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment	ZINC COMPOUNDS	Respiratory Toxicity Hazards: suspected

Other RTECS® classifications [shown for informational purposes only]
government/industry list/academic study	appears on list as	classification(s)
RTECS^®- TLV/BEI,2007	ZINC OXIDE (SUNSCREEN GRADE > 100NM)	• occupationally related - ACGIH TLV (human TWA)
RTECS^®- "Sbornik Vysledku Toxixologickeho Vysetreni Latek A Pripravku," Marhold, J 1972	ZINC OXIDE (SUNSCREEN GRADE > 100NM)	• sense organ - Primary eye irritant (rabbit ) • skin - Primary skin irritant (rabbit )
RTECS^®- Cytology and Genetics (English Translation) 1978	ZINC OXIDE (SUNSCREEN GRADE > 100NM)	• mutagenic - Positive mutation assay: Cytogenetic Analysis (rat ihl)
RTECS^®- Gekkan Yakuji 1980	ZINC OXIDE (SUNSCREEN GRADE > 100NM)	• broad systemic - Broad systemic toxicity ( human LDLo)
RTECS^®- Journal of Nutrition 1969	ZINC OXIDE (SUNSCREEN GRADE > 100NM)	• developmental - Growth statistics (rat TDLo) • reproductive - Homeostasis (rat TDLo)
RTECS^®- Mutation Research 2008	ZINC OXIDE (SUNSCREEN GRADE > 100NM)	• mutagenic - Positive mutation assay: Cytogenetic Analysis ( human oth)
RTECS^®- Mutation Research 1981	ZINC OXIDE (SUNSCREEN GRADE > 100NM)	• mutagenic - Positive mutation assay: DNA Adduct (Escherichia coli )
RTECS^®- Shigaku 1987	ZINC OXIDE (SUNSCREEN GRADE > 100NM)	• mutagenic - Positive mutation assay: Morphological Transform (hamster emb) • mutagenic - Positive mutation assay: Sister Chromatid Exchange (hamster emb) • mutagenic - Positive mutation assay: Unscheduled DNA Synthesis (hamster emb)
RTECS^®- Toxicologist 1997	ZINC OXIDE (SUNSCREEN GRADE > 100NM)	• brain, nervous system, or behavioral effect - Changes in motor activity (specific assay) (rat TDLo)
RTECS^®- Toxicology and Applied Pharmacology 1985	ZINC OXIDE (SUNSCREEN GRADE > 100NM)	• mutagenic - Positive mutation assay: Unscheduled DNA Synthesis (guinea pig ihl)

references
government/industry list/academic study	reference
European Union - Classification & Labelling	CPS&Q (Consumer Products Safety & Quality) formely known as ECB (European Chemicals Bureau). 2008. Classification and Labelling: Chemicals: Annex VI of Directive 67/548/EEC through the 31st ATP.
FDA Food Additive Status	FDA (U.S. Food and Drug Administration) 2006. Food Additive Status List. Downloaded from http://www.cfsan.fda.gov/%7Edms/opa-appa.html, Oct 16, 2006.
Association of Occupational and Environmental Clinics	AOEC (Association of Occupational and Environmental Clinics). 2009. AEOC exposures codes and asthmagen designation.
FDA Everything Added to Food	FDA (U.S. Food and Drug Administration). 2008. EAFUS [Everything Added to Food]: A Food Additive Database. FDA Office of Food Safety and Applied Nutrition.
Environment Canada Domestic Substance List	EC (Environment Canada). 2008. Domestic Substances List Categorization. Canadian Environmental Protection Act (CEPA) Environmental Registry.
CTFA International Cosmetic Ingredient Dictionary and Handbook	CTFA (Cosmetic, Toiletry and Fragrance Association). 2006. International Cosmetic Ingredient Dictionary and Handbook, 11th Edition. Color Additive Information. Washington, DC.
IFRA Fragrance Ingredient List	IFRA (International Fragrance Assocication). 2010. IFRA Fragrance Ingredient List based on 2008 Use Survey. Accessed online 01/04/2010: http://www.ifraorg.org/Home/News/Latest-News/page.aspx/66?xf_itemId=43&xf_selectionDatapartId=25
National Library of Medicine HazMap	NLM (National Library of Medicine). 2006. HazMap — Occupational Exposure to Hazardous Agents.
Nanomaterial Database	NanoWerk. 2007. Nanomaterial Database. Available online: http://www.nanowerk.com/phpscripts/n_dbsearch.php
EPA Toxic Release Inventory PBTs	EPA (U.S. Environmental Protection Agency). 1999. Toxics Release Inventory Program. PBT Chemical Rule.
Open scientific literature	Pirot F, Millet J, Kalia YN, Humbert P. 1996. In vitro study of percutaneous absorption, cutaneous bioavailability and bioequivalence of zinc and copper from five topical formulations. Skin Pharmacol 9(4): 259-69.; Lansdown A, Taylor A. 1997. Zinc and titanium oxide: promising UV-absorbers but what influence do they have on the intact skin? Int J Cosmet Sci 19: 167-72.
Open scientific literature	Brunner TJ, Wick P, Manser P, Spohn P, Grass RN, Bruinink A, et al. 2006. In vitro cytotoxicity of oxide nanoparticles: comparison to asbestos, silica, and the effect of particle solubility. Environ Sci Technol 40: 4374-81.
Open scientific literature	SCCNFP. 2003. Opinion concerning Zinc Oxide: European Commission - The Scientfic Committee on Cosmetic Products and Non-Food Products Intended for Consumers.
Open scientific literature	FDA (U.S. Food and Drug Administration). 2006. FDA Considerations for Regulation of Nanomaterial Containing Products. Presentation by Nakissa Sadrieh, Ph.D., Office of Pharmaceutical Science, CDER, FDA. Available online at http://www.fda.gov/nanotechnology/.
Open scientific literature	Cross SE, Innes B, Roberts MS, Tsuzuki T, Robertson TA, McCormick P. 2007. Human Skin Penetration of Sunscreen Nanoparticles: In-vitro Assessment of a Novel Micronized Zinc Oxide Formulation. Skin Pharmacol Physiol 20(3): 148-154.
Open scientific literature	Gojova A, Guo B, Kota RS, Rutledge JC, Kennedy IM, Barakat AI. 2007. Induction of inflammation in vascular endothelial cells by metal oxide nanoparticles: effect of particle composition. Environ Health Perspect 115(3): 403-409.
Open scientific literature	Adams, L. K., D. Y. Lyon, et al. (2006). "Comparative eco-toxicity of nanoscale TiO2, SiO2, and ZnO water suspensions." Water Research Article in Press.
Open scientific literature	Sayes CM, Reed KL, Warheit DB. 2007. Assessing toxicity of fine and nanoparticles: comparing in vitro measurements to in vivo pulmonary toxicity profiles. Toxicol Sci 97(1): 163-80.
Open scientific literature	Gordon T, Fine JM. 1993. Metal fume fever. Occup Med. Jul-Sep;8(3):504-17. Review.
Open scientific literature	Gordon T, Fine JM. 1993. Metal fume fever. Occup Med. Jul-Sep;8(3):504-17. Review.
Open scientific literature	Sharma V, Shukla RK, Saxena N, Parmar D, Das M, Dhawan A. 2009. DNA damaging potential of zinc oxide nanoparticles in human epidermal cells. Toxicol Lett 185(3): 211-8.
Open scientific literature	Hidaka H, Kobayashi, H., Koike, T. Sato, T., Serpone, N. 2006. DNA Damage Photoinduced by Cosmetic Pigments and Sunscreen Agents under Solar Exposure and Artifical UV Illumination. J Oleo Sci 55(5): 249-61.
Open scientific literature	Dufour E, et al. 2006. Clastogenicity, photo-clastogenicity or pseudo-photo-clastogenicity: Genotoxic effects of zinc oxide in the dark, in pre-irradiated or simultaneously irradiated Chinese hamster ovary cells. Mutation Research 607(2 ): 215-24.
Open scientific literature	European Chemicals Bureau. 2004. ZINC OXIDE Part II – Human Health, CAS No: 1314-13-2, EINECS No: 215-222-5; Summary Risk Assessment Report Addendum to the Part II (Human Health) I-21020 Ispra (VA) Italy.
Open scientific literature	Hidaka H, Kobayashi, H., Koike, T. Sato, T., Serpone, N. 2006. DNA Damage Photoinduced by Cosmetic Pigments and Sunscreen Agents under Solar Exposure and Artifical UV Illumination. J Oleo Sci 55(5): 249-61.
Open scientific literature	Dufour E, et al. 2006. Clastogenicity, photo-clastogenicity or pseudo-photo-clastogenicity: Genotoxic effects of zinc oxide in the dark, in pre-irradiated or simultaneously irradiated Chinese hamster ovary cells. Mutation Research 607(2 ): 215-24.
Open scientific literature	European Chemicals Bureau. 2004. ZINC OXIDE Part II – Human Health, CAS No: 1314-13-2, EINECS No: 215-222-5; Summary Risk Assessment Report Addendum to the Part II (Human Health) I-21020 Ispra (VA) Italy.
Open scientific literature	Sharma V, Shukla RK, Saxena N, Parmar D, Das M, Dhawan A. 2009. DNA damaging potential of zinc oxide nanoparticles in human epidermal cells. Toxicol Lett 185(3): 211-8.
Open scientific literature	Gulson B, McCall MJ, Gomez L, Korsch M, Casey P, Kinsley L. 2010. Dermal absorption of ZnO particles from sunscreens applied to humans at the beach. realizebeauty.files.wordpress.com/2010/02/iconn2010-abstract-gulson1.pdf
Open scientific literature	Gulson B, McCall MJ, Gomez L, Korsch M, Casey P, Kinsley L. 2010. Dermal absorption of ZnO particles from sunscreens applied to humans at the beach. realizebeauty.files.wordpress.com/2010/02/iconn2010-abstract-gulson1.pdf
Open scientific literature	Sharma V, Shukla RK, Saxena N, Parmar D, Das M, Dhawan A. 2009. DNA damaging potential of zinc oxide nanoparticles in human epidermal cells. Toxicol Lett 185(3): 211-8.
Open scientific literature	Sharma V, Shukla RK, Saxena N, Parmar D, Das M, Dhawan A. 2009. DNA damaging potential of zinc oxide nanoparticles in human epidermal cells. Toxicol Lett 185(3): 211-8.
Scorecard.org Toxicity Information	California EPA, Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment. Air Toxics Hot Spots Program Risk Assessment Guidelines, Part III: Technical Support Document
RTECS^®- TLV/BEI,2007 [shown for informational purposes only]	RTECS^®- TLV/BEI,2007
RTECS^®- "Sbornik Vysledku Toxixologickeho Vysetreni Latek A Pripravku," Marhold, J 1972 [shown for informational purposes only]	RTECS^®- "Sbornik Vysledku Toxixologickeho Vysetreni Latek A Pripravku," Marhold, J.V., Institut Pro Vychovu Vedoucicn Pracovniku Chemickeho Prumyclu Praha, Czechoslovakia, 1972 -,10,1972
RTECS^®- Cytology and Genetics (English Translation) 1978 [shown for informational purposes only]	RTECS^®- Cytology and Genetics (English Translation). Translation of TGANAK. (Allerton Press Inc., 150 Fifth Ave., New York, NY 10011) V.8- 1974- 12(3),46,1978
RTECS^®- Gekkan Yakuji 1980 [shown for informational purposes only]	RTECS^®- Gekkan Yakuji. Pharmaceuticals Monthly. (Yakugyo Jihosha, Inaoka Bldg., 2-36 Jinbo-cho, Kanda, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo 101, Japan) V.1- 1959- 22,291,1980
RTECS^®- Journal of Nutrition 1969 [shown for informational purposes only]	RTECS^®- Journal of Nutrition. (Subscription Dept., 9650 Rockville Pike, Bethesda, MD 20014) V.1- -1928 98,303,1969
RTECS^®- Mutation Research 2008 [shown for informational purposes only]	RTECS^®- Mutation Research. (Elsevier Science Pub. B.V., POB 211, 1000 AE Amsterdam, Netherlands) V.1- 650,39,2008
RTECS^®- Mutation Research 1981 [shown for informational purposes only]	RTECS^®- Mutation Research. (Elsevier Science Pub. B.V., POB 211, 1000 AE Amsterdam, Netherlands) V.1- -1964 89,95,1981
RTECS^®- Shigaku 1987 [shown for informational purposes only]	RTECS^®- Shigaku. Ondotology. (Nippon Shika Daigaku Shigakkai, 1-9-20 Fujimi, Chiyodaku, Tokyo 102, Japan) V.38- 1949- 74,1385,1987
RTECS^®- Toxicologist 1997 [shown for informational purposes only]	RTECS^®- Toxicologist. (Soc. of Toxicology, Inc., 475 Wolf Ledge Parkway, Akron, OH 44311) V.1- -1981 36(1,pt2),183,1997
RTECS^®- Toxicology and Applied Pharmacology 1985 [shown for informational purposes only]	RTECS^®- Toxicology and Applied Pharmacology. (Academic Press, Inc., 1 E. First St., Duluth, MN 55802) V.1- 1959- 78,29,1985