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Data: Fair

Quaternium 12

  • This ingredient’s score is higher if used in products that are inhalable (e.g., sprays, powders) because of respiratory concerns.
  • This ingredient is unacceptable for use in EWG VERIFIED products
  • This ingredient’s score is higher if used in products intended for use around mouth due to increased risk of ingestion and absorption.
  • This ingredient’s score is higher if used in products intended for use on lips due to increased risk of ingestion and absorption.

IMAGE SOURCE: PubChem

SEARCH PRODUCTS

Other Concerns

Neurotoxicity (low), Endocrine disruption (low), Non-reproductive organ system toxicity (moderate), and Occupational hazards (high)

SYNONYMS

● 1-DECANAMINIUM, N-DECYL-N,N-DIMETHYL-, CHLORIDE
● 1DECANAMINIUM, NDECYLN,NDIMETHYL, CHLORIDE
● CHLORIDE 1-DECANAMINIUM, N-DECYL-N,N-DIMETHYL-
● DIDECYL DIMETHYL AMMONIUM CHLORIDE
● DIDECYLDIMETHYLAMMONIUM CHLORIDE
● DIDECYLDIMONIUM CHLORIDE
● N-DECYL-N,N'-DIMETHYL-1-DECANAMINIUM CHLORIDE
● N-DECYL-N,N-DIMETHYL- CHLORIDE 1-DECANAMINIUM
● N-DECYL-N,N-DIMETHYL-1-DECANAMINIUM CHLORIDE
● QUATERNIUM-12

Unacceptable

Unacceptable: EWG VERIFIED products cannot contain this ingredient


Didecyldimonium Chloride is a quaternary ammonium salt.

Common concerns

See how this product scores for common concerns.

  • LOW
    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
conditioner11 products
baby wipes9 products
body wash/cleanser7 products
shampoo6 products
daily use with SPF4 products
hand cream3 products
hand sanitizer2 products
recreational sunscreen2 products
liquid hand soap2 products
lip balm1 products
serums & essences1 products

Occupational hazards

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CONCERN REFERENCE
Allowed workplace exposures restricted to low dosesCPS&Q - Classification & Labelling

Allergies/immunotoxicity

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CONCERN REFERENCE
Human immune and respiratory toxicant or allergen - strong evidenceAssociation of Occupational and Environmental Clinics

Organ system toxicity (non-reproductive)

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CONCERN REFERENCE
Possible human any toxicantOpen scientific literature
Classified as toxic or harmfulCPS&Q - Classification & Labelling
Classified as not expected to be potentially toxic or harmfulEnvironment Canada Domestic Substance List

Developmental/reproductive toxicity

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CONCERN REFERENCE
One or more animal studies show any effects at moderate dosesOpen scientific literature

Neurotoxicity

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CONCERN REFERENCE
One or more in vitro tests on mammalian cells demonstrate neurotoxicityOpen scientific literature

Endocrine disruption

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CONCERN REFERENCE
Associated with endocrine disruptionOpen scientific literature

Ecotoxicology

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CONCERN REFERENCE
Wildlife and environmental toxicityOpen scientific literature
Suspected to be an environmental toxinEnvironment Canada Domestic Substance List

Miscellaneous

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CONCERN REFERENCE
Occupational hazards related to handlingCPS&Q - Classification & Labelling

Persistence and bioaccumulation

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CONCERN REFERENCE
Not suspected to be persistentEnvironment Canada Domestic Substance List
Not suspected to be bioaccumulativeEnvironment Canada Domestic Substance List

Data gaps

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CONCERN REFERENCE
73 studies in PubMed science library may include information on the toxicity of this chemicalNLM PubMed
  • 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.
  • AOEC (Association of Occupational and Environmental Clinics). 2009. AEOC exposures codes and asthmagen designation.
  • Open scientific/peer reviewed literature
  • EC (Environment Canada). 2008. Domestic Substances List Categorization. Canadian Environmental Protection Act (CEPA) Environmental Registry.
  • 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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