A couple common cleaning agents (otherwise known as surfactants or detergents) found in many personal care products like shamoo are the dreaded SLS and SLES. Sodium Lauryl sulphate(SLS) is the combination of sulphuric acid, lauryl alcohol, and sodium salt. Lauryl alchohol is derived from coconut or palm kernel oil through a couple of steps, esterification and reduction. SLS can be converted to SLES via a step called ethoxylation. Ethoxylation is a process where SLS is mixed with ethylene oxide and potassium hydroxide in a reactor, pressurized and heated to 150 degrees Celsius. In this process of conversion a substance 1,4-Dioxane can be produced. The U.S. Protection Agency lists 1,4-Dioxane as a carcinogen. In 2002, David Steinman, co-author of a Safe Shopper's Bible, purchased 24 baby products and had them tested for two known carcinogens 1,4-Dioxane and ethylene oxide. 18 out of the 24 products contained both carcinogens. The food and drug administration encourages manufacturers to remove 1,4-Dioxane but it it not required by federal law. Lovely!!
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Karen. People and the Earth Deserve the very Best!!
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