Safe Laundry Guide
The Organic Consumers Association and The Green Patriot Working Group, led by environmental health consumer advocate David Steinman, held a press conference adjacent to the Natural Products Expo West in
While previous studies have revealed the presence of 1,4-dioxane in baby and children's products and adult personal care products, this latest study shows the toxin is present in many laundry detergents.
Twenty laundry detergents were tested for 1,4-dioxane, including 7 “natural” and 13 conventional brands. The conventional brands had significantly higher levels of the contaminant overall (the highest were Tide with 55 ppm, Ivory Snow with 31 ppm, and Tide Free with 29 ppm). The "natural" brands were the obvious winners, with five of the seven brands testimg free of 1,4-dioxane, including Clorox Green Works, Ecos (Earth Friendly Products, Life Tree, Method Squeaky Green and Seventh Generation Free & Clear.
The press conference focused on the problem of groundwater and reclaimed water contamination resulting from dioxane’s presence in laundry detergents, and health risks from the chemical’s presence in drinking water.
The press conference was held in cooperation with the Campaign for Safe Cosmetics and Clean Water Action California.
Watch the YouTube video.
See all test results.
Read the press release.