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Data: Robust

Silica, Crystalline (Quartz)

  • This ingredient’s score is higher if used in products that are inhalable (e.g., sprays, powders) because of respiratory concerns.

IMAGE SOURCE: PubChem

SEARCH PRODUCTS

Other Concerns

Persistence and bioaccumulation (high) and Non-reproductive organ system toxicity (moderate)

SYNONYMS

● MICRONIZED ROSE QUARTZ
● QUARTZ
● QUARTZ (SIO2)
● QUARTZ PARTICLES
● ROSE QUARTZ POWDER
● SILICA, CRYSTALLINE (QUARTZ)

Restricted

Restricted: EWG VERIFIED products cannot contain this ingredient without adequate substantiation


Quartz is a mineral and the most common form of silicon dioxide or crystalline silica. Respiratory exposure to large quantities of crystalline silica in the work-place setting has been associated with pulmonary silicosis, a severe lung disease. Long-term, high-volume occupational exposure has been also linked to other disorders such as progressive systemic sclerosis, systemic lupus erythematosus, rheumatoid arthritis, dermatomyositis, glomerulonephritis (renal disease) and vasculitis. Research is ongoing on the relevance of these systemic effects to silica exposure in non-occupational settings via consumer products (Steenland 2005; Stratta 2001).

Common concerns

See how this product scores for common concerns.

  • HIGH
    Cancer
  • LOW
    Allergies & Immunotoxicity
  • LOW
    Developmental and Reproductive Toxicity
  • LOW
    Use Restrictions

Ingredient concerns

  • CONCERNS
  • DATA SOURCES

Products with this Ingredient

Expand content Collapse content
bronzer/highlighter17 products
mask14 products
eye shadow12 products
facial moisturizer/treatment11 products
concealer10 products
lipstick10 products
nail polish8 products
blush8 products
serums & essences5 products
exfoliant/scrub4 products
lip gloss4 products
hair spray3 products
brow liner3 products
setting powder/spray3 products
moisturizer3 products
2 products
shampoo2 products
makeup primer2 products
styling gel/lotion2 products
around-eye cream2 products
hair treatment/serum1 products
lip balm1 products
BB cream1 products
hair styling aide1 products
mascara1 products
nail treatment1 products
body spray1 products
anti-aging1 products
facial cleanser1 products

Persistence and bioaccumulation

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CONCERN REFERENCE
Persistent, bioaccumulative in wildlife and humansNational Library of Medicine HazMap
Persistent, bioaccumulative in wildlifeNational Library of Medicine HazMap
Not suspected to be bioaccumulativeEnvironment Canada Domestic Substance List

Cancer

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CONCERN REFERENCE
Known human carcinogenInt'l Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) - Carcinogens
Possible human carcinogenAmer Conf of Gov't Industrial Hygienists - Carcinogens
Cancer - strong evidenceScorecard.org Toxicity Information
Cancer - limited evidenceScorecard.org Toxicity Information

Organ system toxicity (non-reproductive)

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CONCERN REFERENCE
Classified as a high human health priorityEnvironment Canada Domestic Substance List
Classified as expected to be toxic or harmfulEnvironment Canada Domestic Substance List
Limited evidence of respiratory toxicityNational Library of Medicine HazMap
Limited evidence of respiratory toxicityScorecard.org Toxicity Information

Data gaps

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CONCERN REFERENCE
65127 studies in PubMed science library may include information on the toxicity of this chemicalNLM PubMed

Ecotoxicology

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CONCERN REFERENCE
Not suspected to be an environmental toxinEnvironment Canada Domestic Substance List
  • NLM (National Library of Medicine). 2006. HazMap — Occupational Exposure to Hazardous Agents.
  • EC (Environment Canada). 2008. Domestic Substances List Categorization. Canadian Environmental Protection Act (CEPA) Environmental Registry.
  • IARC (International Agency for Research on Cancer). 2008. Overall Evaluations of Carcinogenicity to Humans, as evaluated in IARC Monographs Volumes 1-99 (a total of 935 agents, mixtures and exposures).
  • ACGIH (American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists) 2008. ACGIH cancer classification system. www.acgih.org.
  • ED (Environmental Defense). 2006. Scorecard _ The Pollution Information Site. http://www.scorecard.org.
  • NLM (National Library of Medicine). 2012. PubMed online scientific bibliography data. http://www.pubmed.gov.

Understanding scores

Cosmetics and personal care products are not required to be tested for safety before being allowed on the market. The Skin Deep® scoring system was designed to help the public understand whether a product is safe to use or whether it contains ingredients of concern.

Every product and ingredient in Skin Deep gets a two-part score – one for hazard and one for data availability. The safest products score well by both measures, with a low hazard rating and a fair or better data availability rating.

HOW WE DETERMINE SCORES

Hazard score

The Skin Deep ingredient hazard score, from 1 to 10, reflects known and suspected hazards linked to the ingredients. The EWG VERIFIED® mark means a product meets EWG’s strictest criteria for transparency and health.

Score legend

Data availability

The Skin Deep data availability rating reflects the number of scientific studies about the product or ingredient in the published scientific literature.

NONE LIMITED FAIR GOOD ROBUST
Low Availability
Moderate Availability
High Availability

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