If 1,4-dioxane is already included on the Cosmetic Ingredient Hotlist, why didn the Governments assessment conclude it poses a risk to human health?
The Cosmetic Ingredient Hotlist is an administrative list that assists industry in meeting the requirements set out for cosmetics in the Food and Drugs Act. Ingredients on this Hotlist should not be intentionally added to cosmetics that are available on the Canadian market. Under Canadian legislation it is illegal to sell cosmetics that contain substances that are harmful to the user. During its assessment, data provided by non-governmental organizations and data published in peer-reviewed literature were reviewed. All data indicated the trace amounts Canadians may be exposed to through inhalation and skin absorption are several thousand times lower than levels at which health effects occur in laboratory animals. Therefore the Government concluded current exposure levels do not pose a risk to human health. 1,4-dioxane is listed as an ingredient on the Hotlist and therefore should not be intentionally added to cosmetics; however, it may be present in trace amounts, as a by-product of th
