New York is the first to ban harmful chemicals in shampoos

On September 18, new regulations were announced to restrict the presence of 1,4-dioxane in household cleaning products, personal care products and cosmetics.

New York State is the first in the nation to adopt regulations that limit 1,4-dioxane in these product categories, helping to protect consumers and natural resources and create healthier communities, according to Sean Mahar, interim commissioner of the New York State Department of Environmental Protection.

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The NYS DEC notes that 1,4-dioxane is a synthetic industrial chemical commonly associated with chlorinated solvents and widely used as a chemical stabilizer in other formulations.

It is also a byproduct or contaminant in consumer products such as laundry detergents and shampoos. 1,4-Dioxane has been found in groundwater in various locations in the U.S.

This is an incredible success story, and we are thrilled that New York’s law restricting 1,4-dioxane in consumer products is working, and the newly adopted NYSDEC regulations will further protect our drinking water and health from this hidden carcinogen. We no longer wash clothes, hair, bodies, and babies with high levels of this toxin. Manufacturers have the ability to remove 1,4-dioxane from their products, and the newly adopted regulations provide additional clarity to ensure that products comply with the law. CCE applauds the NYSDEC for promoting this regulation and protecting our families, drinking water, and the environment from 1,4-dioxane. Adrienne Esposito, Executive Director, Citizens Campaign for the Environment

The toxicity and persistence of 1,4-dioxane in the environment are an increasing challenge due to the need to use complex and expensive treatment technologies to remove it from drinking water supplies.

According to the NYS DEC, the new regulations will strengthen these efforts by defining the scope of covered products, establishing a standardized method for quantifying 1,4-dioxane in covered products, and clarifying the process manufacturers must follow to obtain exemptions.

For more information, visit the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation website.

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