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ZINC OXIDE
Score
Data: Good
CAS1314-13-2
foundation (609 products)
eye shadow (307 products)
sunscreen: makeup (221 products)
facial powder (154 products)
concealer (140 products)
Show all 1,794 products that contain ZINC OXIDE.
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ZINC OXIDE


image source: PubChem
Health concerns of ingredient
About the ratings
Cancer no information
Developmental & reproductive toxicityyes
Allergies & immunotoxicityyes
Use restrictions no information
Contamination concerns: none
Other MODERATE concerns: Persistence and bioaccumulation, Organ system toxicity (non-reproductive), Occupational hazards
Other LOW concerns: Ecotoxicology

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): Bulking Agent; Colorant; Skin Protectant; Sunscreen Agent

About ZINC OXIDE: Zinc Oxide is an inorganic oxide used as a colorant and sunscreen agent.

Synonym(s): FLOWERS OF ZINC; PHILOSOPHER'S WOOL; PIGMENT WHITE 4; CI 77947; LOW TEMPERATURE BURNED ZINC OXIDE; ZINC WHITE; ZINC FLOWERS; ZINC OXIDE (NON-NANO)

Allergies/immunotoxicity

type of concern product conditions reference
One or more animal studies show effects at very low doses    Sayes CM, Reed KL, Warheit DB, 2007
Limited evidence of immune system toxicity products that may be aerosolized (airborne)  California EPA, Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment

Developmental/reproductive toxicity

type of concern product conditions reference
Limited evidence of reproductive toxicity    Zhu X, Zhu L, Duan Z, Qi R, Li Y, Lang Y, 2008
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Organ system toxicity (non-reproductive)

type of concern product conditions reference
Possible human respiratory toxicant    Association of Occupational and Environmental Clinics
Classified as expected to be toxic or harmful    Environment Canada Domestic Substance List
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Persistence and bioaccumulation

type of concern product conditions reference
Persistent, bioaccumulative in wildlife    Canada PBTs - Accelerated Reduction/Elimination of Toxics (ARET)
show more

Occupational hazards

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

Ecotoxicology

type of concern product conditions reference
Wildlife and environmental toxicity    European Union - Classification & Labelling
show more

Decreased skin absorption

type of concern product conditions reference
Limited potential to absorb into the skin.    Gulson B, McCall MJ, Gomez L, Korsch M, Casey P, Kinsley L, 2010

Multiple, additive exposure sources

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

Data gaps

type of concern product conditions reference
4,805 studies in PubMed science library may include information on the toxicity of this chemical see search results ->   PubMed

Enhanced skin absorption

type of concern product conditions reference
Does not cause enhanced penetration    SCCNFP, 2003

Government, industry, academic studies and classifications
government/industry list/academic study appears on list as classification(s)
European Union - Classification & LabellingZINC OXIDEN; R50-53
FDA Food Additive StatusZINC OXIDE• NUTR/DS
• GRAS
• GMP - CFR182.5991; 182.8991
Association of Occupational and Environmental ClinicsZINC• ARs
FDA Color Additive StatusZINC OXIDECosmetics: Y; Food: U; Drugs: Y; Eye: Y
FDA Everything Added to FoodZINC OXIDE• ASP
Environment Canada Domestic Substance ListZINC OXIDE (ZNO)Y-Categorization,,Low-Health Priority,Y-Persistent,,Y-AquaticTox,,,,
CTFA International Cosmetic Ingredient Dictionary and HandbookZINC OXIDEColor Additives - Exempt from Batch Certification by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration
IFRA Fragrance Ingredient ListZINC OXIDE (ZNO)reported as used in fragrance compounds in 2008
National Library of Medicine HazMapZINC OXIDESD: 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);
EPA Toxic Release Inventory PBTsZINC COMPOUNDSToxic under the EPA's Toxics Release Inventory
Gordon T, Fine JM, 1993ZINC OXIDEZinc inhalation causes metal fume fever, an acute self-limited illness. Zinc oxide is the most common cause.
Ketcheson MR, Barron GP, Cox DH, 1969ZINC OXIDEIn oral exposure study, 200 mg/kg ZnO induced a complete fetal resorption (100% prenatal death) in all treated dams
Adams, L, 2006ZINC OXIDE
Borgå K, Campbell L, Gabrielsen GW, Norstrom RJ, Muir DC, Fisk AT, 2006ZINCZinc found to be bioaccumulative in Arctic seabirds
Sayes CM, Reed KL, Warheit DB, 2007ZINC OXIDENano- and fine-sized zinc oxide produced potent but reversible inflammation of the lungs, which was resolved by 1 month post-instillation exposure.
Zhu X, Zhu L, Duan Z, Qi R, Li Y, Lang Y, 2008
European_Chemicals_Bureau, 2004ZINC OXIDE (NON-NANO)
SCCNFP, 2003ZINC OXIDE (NON-NANO)Bulk size zinc oxide does not appear to penetrate healthy or psoriatic skin, results of in-vitro and in-vivo studies indicate absorbance of <1%
Gulson B, McCall MJ, Gomez L, Korsch M, Casey P, Kinsley L, 2010ZINC OXIDE (NON-NANO)Human study showed about 0.4% of zinc oxide penetrated to bloodstream
California EPA, Office of Environmental Health Hazard AssessmentZINC COMPOUNDSRespiratory Toxicity Hazards: suspected
California EPA, Office of Environmental Health Hazard AssessmentZINC COMPOUNDSImmunotoxicity Hazards: suspected
Canada PBTs - Accelerated Reduction/Elimination of Toxics (ARET)ZINC COMPOUNDSMeets or exceeds criteria for toxicity and persistent under Canadian Accelerated Reduction/Elimination of Toxics list

Other RTECS® classifications [shown for informational purposes only]
government/industry list/academic study appears on list as classification(s)
RTECS®- TLV/BEI,2005ZINC OXIDE• occupationally related - ACGIH TLV (human TWA)
RTECS®- TLV/BEI,2006ZINC OXIDE• occupationally related - ACGIH TLV (human TWA)
RTECS®- TLV/BEI,2007ZINC OXIDE• occupationally related - ACGIH TLV (human TWA)
RTECS®- "Sbornik Vysledku Toxixologickeho Vysetreni Latek A Pripravku," Marhold, J 1972ZINC OXIDE• sense organ - Primary eye irritant (rabbit )
• skin - Primary skin irritant (rabbit )
RTECS®- Cytology and Genetics (English Translation) 1978ZINC OXIDE• mutagenic - Positive mutation assay: Cytogenetic Analysis (rat ihl)
RTECS®- Cytology and Genetics (English Translation) 1978ZINC OXIDE• mutagenic - Positive mutation assay: Cytogenetic Analysis (rat ihl)
RTECS®- Gekkan Yakuji 1980ZINC OXIDE• broad systemic - Broad systemic toxicity ( human LDLo)
RTECS®- Mutation Research 2008ZINC OXIDE• mutagenic - Positive mutation assay: Cytogenetic Analysis ( human oth)
RTECS®- Mutation Research 1981ZINC OXIDE• mutagenic - Positive mutation assay: DNA Adduct (Escherichia coli )
RTECS®- Mutation Research 1981ZINC OXIDE• mutagenic - Positive mutation assay: DNA Adduct (Escherichia coli )
RTECS®- Shigaku 1987ZINC OXIDE• 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®- Shigaku 1987ZINC OXIDE• 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 1997ZINC OXIDE• brain, nervous system, or behavioral effect - Changes in motor activity (specific assay) (rat TDLo)
RTECS®- Toxicology and Applied Pharmacology 1985ZINC OXIDE• mutagenic - Positive mutation assay: Unscheduled DNA Synthesis (guinea pig ihl)

references
government/industry list/academic study reference
European Union - Classification & LabellingCPS&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 StatusFDA (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 ClinicsAOEC (Association of Occupational and Environmental Clinics). 2009. AEOC exposures codes and asthmagen designation.
FDA Color Additive StatusFDA (U.S. Food and Drug Administration) 2006. Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition. Color Additive Status List. September 2006.
FDA Everything Added to FoodFDA (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 ListEC (Environment Canada). 2008. Domestic Substances List Categorization. Canadian Environmental Protection Act (CEPA) Environmental Registry.
CTFA International Cosmetic Ingredient Dictionary and HandbookCTFA (Cosmetic, Toiletry and Fragrance Association). 2006. International Cosmetic Ingredient Dictionary and Handbook, 11th Edition. Color Additive Information. Washington, DC.
IFRA Fragrance Ingredient ListIFRA (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 HazMapNLM (National Library of Medicine). 2006. HazMap — Occupational Exposure to Hazardous Agents.
EPA Toxic Release Inventory PBTsEPA (U.S. Environmental Protection Agency). 1999. Toxics Release Inventory Program. PBT Chemical Rule.
Open scientific literatureGordon T, Fine JM. 1993. Metal fume fever. Occup Med. Jul-Sep;8(3):504-17. Review.
Open scientific literatureKetcheson MR, Barron GP, Cox DH. 1969. Relationship of Maternal Dietary Zinc during Gestation and Lactation to Development and Zinc, Iron and Copper Content of the Postnatal Rat. J Nutr 98: 303-311
Open scientific literatureAdams, 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 literatureBorgå K, Campbell L, Gabrielsen GW, Norstrom RJ, Muir DC, Fisk AT. 2006. Regional and species specific bioaccumulation of major and trace elements in Arctic seabirds. Environ Toxicol Chem. 2006 Nov;25(11):2927-36.
Open scientific literatureSayes 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 literatureZhu X, Zhu L, Duan Z, Qi R, Li Y, Lang Y. 2008. Comparative toxicity of several metal oxide nanoparticle aqueous suspensions to Zebrafish (Danio rerio) early developmental stage. J Environ Sci Health A Tox Hazard Subst Environ Eng 43(3): 278-84.
Open scientific literatureEuropean_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 literatureSCCNFP. 2003. Opinion concerning Zinc Oxide: European Commission - The Scientfic Committee on Cosmetic Products and Non-Food Products Intended for Consumers. Available: http://ec.europa.eu/health/ph_risk/committees/sccp/sccp_opinions_en.htm
Open scientific literatureGulson 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
Scorecard.org Toxicity InformationCalifornia EPA, Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment. Air Toxics Hot Spots Program Risk Assessment Guidelines, Part III: Technical Support Document
Scorecard.org Toxicity InformationCalifornia EPA, Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment. Air Toxics Hot Spots Program Risk Assessment Guidelines, Part III: Technical Support Document
Canada PBTs - Accelerated Reduction/Elimination of Toxics (ARET)EC (Environment Canada). 1994. Accelerated Reduction/Elimination of Toxics (ARET). ARET substance list of persistent, bioaccumulative and toxic chemicals.
RTECS®- TLV/BEI,2005 [shown for informational purposes only]RTECS®- TLV/BEI,2005
RTECS®- TLV/BEI,2006 [shown for informational purposes only]RTECS®- TLV/BEI,2006
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®- 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- 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®- 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- 89,95,1981
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- 74,1385,1987
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- 78,29,1985

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