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ZINC OXIDE
Score:
Data: Fair
- Other Concerns
- Functions
- About the Chemical
- Synonyms
-
Persistence and bioaccumulation (moderate), Non-reproductive organ system toxicity (moderate), Ecotoxicology (low), and Occupational hazards (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
| foundation | 264 products |
| concealer | 99 products |
| facial powder | 42 products |
| lip liner | 38 products |
| lipstick | 37 products |
| antiperspirant/deodorant | 36 products |
| daily use with SPF | 29 products |
| facial moisturizer/treatment | 29 products |
| BB cream | 24 products |
| blush | 18 products |
| 17 products | |
| mask | 15 products |
| diaper cream | 13 products |
| makeup primer | 13 products |
| eye shadow | 12 products |
| lip gloss | 10 products |
| moisturizer | 10 products |
| eye liner | 10 products |
| toothpaste | 9 products |
| lip balm | 8 products |
| anti-aging | 8 products |
| setting powder/spray | 8 products |
| body powder | 8 products |
| bronzer/highlighter | 7 products |
| CC cream | 7 products |
| bar soap | 6 products |
| facial cleanser | 5 products |
| serums & essences | 5 products |
| around-eye cream | 5 products |
| hair color and bleaching | 4 products |
| body wash/cleanser | 3 products |
| baby lotion | 3 products |
| antiperspirant/deodorant (men's) | 3 products |
| exfoliant/scrub | 3 products |
| body firming lotion | 2 products |
| recreational sunscreen | 2 products |
| shampoo | 2 products |
| shaving cream | 2 products |
| body spray | 2 products |
| damaged skin treatment | 1 products |
| mascara | 1 products |
| after shave | 1 products |
| brow liner | 1 products |
| shaving cream (men's) | 1 products |
| baby sunscreen | 1 products |
| bath oil/salts/soak | 1 products |
| depilatory | 1 products |
| hand cream | 1 products |
| tooth whitening | 1 products |
| foot odor control | 1 products |
Enhanced skin absorption
| Concern | Reference |
|---|---|
| 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% | SCCNFP 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 |
Occupational hazards
| Concern | Reference |
|---|---|
| Zinc inhalation causes metal fume fever, an acute self-limited illness. Zinc oxide is the most common cause. | Gordon T, Fine JM 1993. Metal fume fever. Occup Med. Jul-Sep;8(3):504-17. Review. |
| Allowed workplace exposures restricted to moderate doses | National Library of Medicine HazMap |
Decreased skin absorption
| Concern | Reference |
|---|---|
| Human study showed about 0.4% of zinc oxide penetrated to bloodstream | Gulson 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 |
Persistence and bioaccumulation
| Concern | Reference |
|---|---|
| Persistent, bioaccumulative in wildlife | Canada PBTs - Accelerated Reduction/Elimination of Toxics (ARET) |
| Zinc found to be bioaccumulative in Arctic seabirds | Borgå 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. |
Allergies/immunotoxicity
| Concern | Reference |
|---|---|
| Nano- and fine-sized zinc oxide produced potent but reversible inflammation of the lungs, which was resolved by 1 month post-instillation exposure. | Sayes 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. |
Organ system toxicity (non-reproductive)
| Concern | Reference |
|---|---|
| Possible human respiratory toxicant | Association of Occupational and Environmental Clinics |
| Limited evidence of respiratory toxicity | California EPA, Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment Air Toxics Hot Spots Program Risk Assessment Guidelines, Part III: Technical Support Document |
| One or more animal studies show classified as toxic effects at moderate doses (low dose studies may be unavailable for this ingredient) | EPA Toxic Release Inventory PBTs |
Ecotoxicology
| Concern | Reference |
|---|---|
| Wildlife and environmental toxicity | CPS&Q - Classification & Labelling |
| Wildlife and environmental toxicity | Adams, L K., D. Y. Lyon, et al. (2006). "Comparative eco-toxicity of nanoscale TiO2, SiO2, and ZnO water suspensions." Water Research Article in Press. |
Informational
| Concern | Reference |
|---|---|
| Industry or government recommendations for safe use: restrictions on concentration, impurities, product types, or manufacturing methods - Color Additives - Exempt from Batch Certification by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration | CTFA International Cosmetic Ingredient Dictionary and Handbook |
| Industry or government recommendations for safe use: restrictions on concentration, impurities, product types, or manufacturing methods - Color additive approved by FDA for use in cosmetics | FDA Color Additive Status |
Multiple, additive exposure sources
| Concern | Reference |
|---|---|
| Designated as safe for general or specific, limited use in food | FDA Everything Added to Food |
| Designated as safe for general or specific, limited use in food | FDA Food Additive Status |
Developmental/reproductive toxicity
| Concern | Reference |
|---|---|
| Not likely to be a reproductive toxicant in humans | European_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. |
Data gaps
| Concern | Reference |
|---|---|
| 6924 studies in PubMed science library may include information on the toxicity of this chemical | NLM PubMed |
Data Sources
- SCCNFP 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
- Gordon T, Fine JM 1993. Metal fume fever. Occup Med. Jul-Sep;8(3):504-17. Review.
- NLM (National Library of Medicine). 2006. HazMap — Occupational Exposure to Hazardous Agents.
- Gulson 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
- EC (Environment Canada). 1994. Accelerated Reduction/Elimination of Toxics (ARET). ARET substance list of persistent, bioaccumulative and toxic chemicals.
- Borgå 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.
- Sayes 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.
- AOEC (Association of Occupational and Environmental Clinics). 2009. AEOC exposures codes and asthmagen designation.
- California EPA, Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment Air Toxics Hot Spots Program Risk Assessment Guidelines, Part III: Technical Support Document
- EPA (U.S. Environmental Protection Agency). 1999. Toxics Release Inventory Program. PBT Chemical Rule.
- 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.
- Adams, L K., D. Y. Lyon, et al. (2006). "Comparative eco-toxicity of nanoscale TiO2, SiO2, and ZnO water suspensions." Water Research Article in Press.
- CTFA (Cosmetic, Toiletry and Fragrance Association). 2006. International Cosmetic Ingredient Dictionary and Handbook, 11th Edition. Color Additive Information. Washington, DC.
- FDA (U.S. Food and Drug Administration) 2006. Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition. Color Additive Status List. September 2006.
- FDA (U.S. Food and Drug Administration). 2008. EAFUS [Everything Added to Food]: A Food Additive Database. FDA Office of Food Safety and Applied Nutrition.
- FDA (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.
- European_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.
- 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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