Health Concerns of the Ingredient:
Overall Hazard
Developmental &
reproductive toxicity
Allergies & immunotoxicity
About NONOXYNOL-9: Nonoxynol-9 is an ethoxylated alkyl phenol.
Function(s): Surfactant - Emulsifying Agent
Synoym(s): NONAETHYLENE GLYCOL NONYLPHENYL ETHER; NONYLPHENOL OCTA (OXYETHYLENE) ETHANOL; PEG-9 NONYL PHENYL ETHER; POLYETHYLENE GLYCOL 450 NONYL PHENYL ETHER; POLYOXYETHYLENE (9) NONYL PHENYL ETHER
Persistence and bioaccumulation
| Concern |
Reference |
|---|
| Persistent, bioaccumulative in wildlife | OSPAR PBTs - Substances of Possible Concern |
Data gaps
| Concern |
Reference |
|---|
| Risk assessment method deficiencies and data gaps - Maximum reported "as used" concentration is basis of safety assessment by industry safety panel (Cosmetic Ingredient Review, CIR) - implicit safe concentration limit in product | Cosmetic Ingredient Review Assessments |
| Safety assessment was based on related chemical | Cosmetic Ingredient Review Assessments |
| 587 studies in PubMed science library may include information on the toxicity of this chemical see search results -> | NLM PubMed |
Data Sources
| CIR (Cosmetic Ingredient Review). 2006. CIR Compendium, containing abstracts, discussions, and conclusions of CIR cosmetic ingredient safety assessments. Washington DC. |
| Cosmetics Ingredient Review Assessments |
| NLM (National Library of Medicine). 2012. PubMed online scientific bibliography data. http://www.pubmed.gov. |
| OSPAR (Oslo-Paris). 2002. OSPAR List of Substances of Possible Concern. Secondary OSPAR List of Substances of Possible Concern. Secondary OSPAR. Place Published, OSPAR Convention for the Protection of the Marine Environement of North-East Atlanic. |
Products Containing the Ingredient
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
