OCA and Allies Expose Best, and Worst, Laundry Detergents with 1,4-Dioxane Contamination
- By Ethan A. Huff
Natural News, May 22, 2010
Straight to the Source
One of the major issues being tackled by consumer watchdog groups this year is the presence of 1,4-dioxane, a synthetic petrochemical carcinogen, in consumer products. Since hair care products, cleaning formulas and laundry detergents are all susceptible to containing this toxic chemical byproduct, which is not listed on product labels, David Steinman from the Green Patriot Working Group (GPWG) began a study in 2007 to see which consumer products are the worst offenders. This year, his organization along with the Organic Consumers Association (OCA), released the results of a portion of the study conducted last year on laundry detergents.
When cleaning products and detergents are processed using ethoxylation, a cheap technique that lessens the severity of the harsher ingredients, 1,4-dioxane is created. Since it is considered a byproduct of ethylene oxide reacting with other ingredients, 1,4-dioxane is technically considered a contaminant and thus does not have to be included on product labeling. As a result, consumers are largely unaware of its presence in major household products.
For the study, Steinman evaluated 20 different laundry detergents from both conventional and “natural” brands. Evoxa, an independent, third-party laboratory that is highly respected for its rigorous methods and high standards, conducted all product testing. The results are as follows:
Conventional brands:
1. Tide (P&G) – 55 parts per million (ppm)
2. Ivory Snow Gentle (P&G) – 31 ppm
3. Tide Free (P&G) – 29 ppm
4. Purex (Dial Corp.) – 25 ppm
5. Gain 2X Ultra (P&G) – 21 ppm
6. Cheer BrightClean Detergent (P&G) – 20 ppm
7. Era 2X Ultra (P&G) – 14 ppm
8. Arm & Hammer (Church & Dwight Co.) – 5.0 ppm
9. Wisk 2X Ultra (Sun Products Corp.) – 3.9 ppm
10. Woolite Complete Detergent (Reckitt Benckiser) – 1.3 ppm
11. All laundry detergent (Unilever) – 0.6 ppm
12. Dreft powdered detergent (P&G) – non-detectable (ND)
13. Sun Burst (Sun Products Corp.) – ND
(Comment: I am stunned to learn that the brand I have been using for years is rated highest on the list! This is really incredible.
I know that I have posted about Green Virgin Products (in my Blogroll) in the past and enthused how I was looking forward to trying their “Soap Nuts.” As it happens, a couple weeks ago, I finally bought the kilo bag and I must tell you, they beat my expectations. Theoretically, one can get approximately 330 wash loads with this amount, though as you can imagine, it would depend greatly on how big the wash loads are and I suppose the hardness of one’s water. These little ‘soap nuts’ grow on trees and come from the Himalayas – they are from the plant world – - not chemical at all. That story was part of the charm. That they would not harm anyone at all, would be so huge – - our population is so riddled with sensitivities. At a cost around $26.00 for this amount, that would be quite a savings. Even greater when you factor in that I don’t have to buy Downy any more. My stuff comes out of the dryer smelling good, feeling soft and absolutely delightful. So glad I switched.
Don’t know if a company like Green Virgin Products is just too small to be included in this study or simply that it only included usual compounds known to be used for cleaning – who knows? Just thought I would mention my personal satisfaction with the Soap Nuts. Jan.)
