Chemical Profiles

It’s our mission to educate people about some of the worst offenders lurking in products we use every day. Click on the links below to learn more about these toxic chemicals and how to avoid them. 

Also see the MADE SAFE HAZARD LIST™ of Chemicals, Materials & Ingredients

	1,4-Dioxane Found in baby wash, body wash, laundry detergent and other products that suds.
	BHT and BHA Found in many personal care products including lip and hair products, makeup, sunscreen, nail polish, deodorants, fragrance, and creams.
	BPA Bisphenol A can be found in many plastic items with the recycling code #7 or #3.
	Chlorpyrifos Belongs to a class of pesticides known as organophosphates, developed as nerve gas by Nazi Germany.
	DEET Used in bug sprays, wipes, in clothing repellents, and in repellents for pets.
	Diethanolamine Used in a wide range of personal care products, cosmetics, cleaning products, and household goods.
	Dioxins and Furans Found in conventional feminine care products like pads and tampons.
	Flame Retardants Several scientific studies have linked flame retardants to many health impacts.
	Flavor “Flavor” seems simple on the surface, but it can actually be a complex mixture of ingredients.
	Formaldehyde Common ingredient in baby and personal care products, nail polish and other salon products, particle board and furniture.
	Fragrance Found in most conventional products including shampoo, body wash, perfume, scented candles, air fresheners, feminine care, clothing and packaging.
	Mineral Oil and Petroleum Jelly By-products of the refining process used to create gasoline, these chemical cousins are used in personal care and baby care products.
	Oxybenzone Found in sunscreens, perfumes, and products with undisclosed fragrance ingredients.
	P-phenylenediamine PPD is one of many coal-tar colors derived from petroleum, used in hair dye.
	Parabens Found in hair products, lotions, facial cleansers, shower gels, scrubs, cosmetics, feminine care and more.
	Permethrin and Pyrethrins Pesticides can end up in our homes and bodies in ways beyond just food.
	PFOA Found in household goods with waterproof coatings like Gore-Tex and nonstick cookware, or in stain-resistant carpet and furniture.
	Phthalates Used as a fragrance ingredient, and in plastic products like toys, vinyl flooring, shower curtains, and packaging.
	Polyethylene Glycol Compounds (PEGs) Can be contaminated with ethylene oxide and 1,4-dioxane, both associated with cancer.
	Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET or PETE) Does not readily break down in the environment and may pose some toxicity risks.
	Siloxanes and Silanes Used in many different products, aiding in slip, which helps products spread more easily.
	Silver Nanoparticles Silver nanoparticles are increasingly being used in a number of products.
	Synthetic Biology Found in personal care and food products without labeling or long-term safety testing and research.
	Tetrachloroethylene Primary chemical used in commercial dry cleaning, commonly referred to by its nickname “perc.”
	Titanium Dioxide A naturally-occurring mineral found in the earth’s crust that can be both safe and unsafe, depending on its use.
	Toluene A toxic solvent found in hair and nail products, and air fresheners.
	Triclosan A registered pesticide found in personal care products, clothing, kitchenware, toys, and mattresses.
	Vitamin A and Retinol Derivatives In some forms found in personal care products, vitamin A compounds and derivatives have the potential to cause cancer when exposed to sunlight.