Nitrosamines

One of the cosmetic toxins that consumer advocates are most concerned about are nitrosamines, which contaminate a wide variety of cosmetic products.  In the 1970’s, nitrosamines contamination of cooked bacon and other nitrate-treated meats in the food industry became a public health issue.  But today, nitrosamines contaminate cosmetics at significantly higher levels than were once contained in bacon.”–Peter Phillips, Author Director “Project Censored 1997&1998”, “The News That Didn’t Make The News.”

What are Nitrosamines?  They are any class of organic compounds with the general formula (R2NNO or RNHNO) which is a nitrate combined with an amine.  They are present in various processed foods, shampoos/personal care and other products found on the market today.  They are also known to be carcinogenic.

Nitrosating agents are any of the following agents combined with sodium lauryl sulfate or sodium laureth sulfate, both of which are found in a myriad of shampoos and personal care products:

  • 2-Bromo-2-Tropropane- 1,3-Diol
  • Cocoyl Sarcosine
  • Diethanolamine (DEA) Plus Any Chemical Listed  or NDEA
  • Imidazolidinyl Urea
  • Formaldehyde
  • Hydrolyzed Animal Protein
  • Lauryl Sarcosine
  • Monethanolamine (MEA)
  • Monethanolamine (MEA) Plus Any Chemical
  • Quatemium-7, 15, 31, 60, Etc.
  • Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS)
  • Sodium Laureth Sulfate (SLES)
  • Sodium Methyl Cocoyl Taurate (SMCT)
  • Triethanolamine (TEA) Plus Any Chemical Listed

Reputable manufacturers routinely test their ingredients for residues of nitrosamines and 1,4-dioxane,both of which are carcinogens, and if the levels are too high, the ingredients are rejected or they are purified before being used. But we cannot be certain that all manufacturers do this, especially those operating in less regulated parts of the world, and there is ample evidence to show that some manufacturers clearly don’t.

Research carried out in 1991 found up to 85,000 parts per billion of 1,4-dioxane residues in 40 percent of the cosmetics tested. In 1977 a study found that 93 percent of cosmetics tested contained nitrosamines in concentrations ranging from 10 to 50,000 parts per billion. A follow-up study in 1991-2 found up to 3,000 parts per billion of nitrosamines in 65 percent of the cosmetics tested – a slight improvement but still a cause for concern.  Just what are the safe levels of these contaminants? The truth is, no one knows.

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