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SILICA, CRYSTALLINE (QUARTZ)
Score:
Data: Robust
- Other Concerns
- Functions
- About the Chemical
- Synonyms
-
Persistence and bioaccumulation (high) and Non-reproductive organ system toxicity (moderate)
Cancer 
Cancer: Ingredients linked to cancer in government, industry or academic studies or assessments.
Developmental & Reproductive Toxicity
Developmental and reproductive toxicity: Ingredients linked to developmental and reproductive toxicity, a broad class of health effects that range from infertility and reproductive organ cancers to birth defects and developmental delays in children.
Allergies & Immunotoxicity
Allergies and immunotoxicity: Ingredients linked to harm to the immune system, a class of health problems that manifest as allergic reactions or an impaired capacity to fight disease and repair damaged tissue in the body.
Products with this Ingredient
| lipstick | 19 products |
| facial moisturizer/treatment | 19 products |
| mask | 15 products |
| bronzer/highlighter | 14 products |
| facial cleanser | 10 products |
| concealer | 10 products |
| foundation | 8 products |
| exfoliant/scrub | 6 products |
| toners/astringents | 5 products |
| serums & essences | 5 products |
| lip gloss | 4 products |
| moisturizer with SPF | 4 products |
| BB cream | 4 products |
| moisturizer | 2 products |
| lip balm | 2 products |
| eye shadow | 2 products |
| makeup primer | 2 products |
| mascara | 1 products |
| body wash/cleanser | 1 products |
| baby sunscreen | 1 products |
| shampoo | 1 products |
| around-eye cream | 1 products |
| beach & sport sunscreen | 1 products |
| body oil | 1 products |
Cancer
| Concern | Reference |
|---|---|
| Known human carcinogen | World Health Organization, International Agency for Research on Cancer IARC Monographs Programme on the Evaluation of Carcinogenic Risks to Humans. Lists of Group 1, 2a, and 2b substances can be obtained. http://monographs.iarc.fr/ENG/Classification/index.php; Vol 68;1997 |
| Possible human carcinogen | Amer Conf of Gov't Industrial Hygienists - Carcinogens |
| Cancer - strong evidence | Proposition 65 List of Carcinogens (July 2004) can be obtained from http://wwwoehha.ca.gov/prop65/prop65_list/Newlist.html. |
| Cancer - limited evidence | World Health Organization, International Agency for Research on Cancer IARC Monographs Programme on the Evaluation of Carcinogenic Risks to Humans. Lists of Group 1, 2a, and 2b substances can be obtained at http://monographs.iarc.fr/monoeval/grlist.html., National Toxicology Program. 10th Report on Carcinogens (2002). http://ehis.niehs.nih.gov/roc/toc10.html |
Persistence and bioaccumulation
| Concern | Reference |
|---|---|
| Persistent, bioaccumulative in wildlife and humans | National Library of Medicine HazMap |
| Persistent, bioaccumulative in wildlife | National Library of Medicine HazMap |
| Not suspected to be bioaccumulative | Environment Canada Domestic Substance List |
Organ system toxicity (non-reproductive)
| Concern | Reference |
|---|---|
| Classified as a high human health priority | Environment Canada Domestic Substance List |
| Classified as expected to be toxic or harmful | Environment Canada Domestic Substance List |
| Limited evidence of respiratory toxicity | National Library of Medicine HazMap |
| Limited evidence of respiratory toxicity | A Relational Database of Hazardous Chemicals and Occupational Diseases Browse Haz-Map by Adverse Effects http://hazmap.nlm.nih.gov/hazmapadv.html; Klaassen, C., M. Amdur and J. Doull (eds.). Casarett and Doull |
Data gaps
| Concern | Reference |
|---|---|
| 65127 studies in PubMed science library may include information on the toxicity of this chemical | NLM PubMed |
Ecotoxicology
| Concern | Reference |
|---|---|
| Not suspected to be an environmental toxin | Environment Canada Domestic Substance List |
Data Sources
- World Health Organization, International Agency for Research on Cancer IARC Monographs Programme on the Evaluation of Carcinogenic Risks to Humans. Lists of Group 1, 2a, and 2b substances can be obtained. http://monographs.iarc.fr/ENG/Classification/index.php; Vol 68;1997
- ACGIH (American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists) 2008. ACGIH cancer classification system. www.acgih.org.
- Proposition 65 List of Carcinogens (July 2004) can be obtained from http://wwwoehha.ca.gov/prop65/prop65_list/Newlist.html.
- World Health Organization, International Agency for Research on Cancer IARC Monographs Programme on the Evaluation of Carcinogenic Risks to Humans. Lists of Group 1, 2a, and 2b substances can be obtained at http://monographs.iarc.fr/monoeval/grlist.html., National Toxicology Program. 10th Report on Carcinogens (2002). http://ehis.niehs.nih.gov/roc/toc10.html
- 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.
- A Relational Database of Hazardous Chemicals and Occupational Diseases Browse Haz-Map by Adverse Effects http://hazmap.nlm.nih.gov/hazmapadv.html; Klaassen, C., M. Amdur and J. Doull (eds.). Casarett and Doull
- NLM (National Library of Medicine). 2012. PubMed online scientific bibliography data. http://www.pubmed.gov.
- This ingredient’s score is higher if used in products that are inhalable (e.g., sprays, powders) because of respiratory concerns.
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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
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