Washington State’s Toxic-Free Cosmetics Act already regulates many chemicals deemed toxic in cosmetics, including formaldehyde, which is banned. The Department of Ecology has just launched a consultation with the aim of making the same provision for 28 formaldehyde releasers.
The measure is being taken by the Washington State Department of Ecology, which justifies it by pointing out that “Formaldehyde-releasing chemicals are a special concern because they’re in many cosmetic products routinely used by women, people of color and cosmetologists, increasing their exposure to harmful chemicals. In addition to cancer, formaldehyde can harm brain function, increase risk of asthma, irritate eyes and skin, and cause allergic reactions.”
A new chapter will be added to the Washington Administrative Code (WAC): “Chapter 173-339 WAC: Cosmetic Products Restrictions”, to ban a total of 28 formaldehyde releasers.
The substances involved
They are listed as follows:
• DMDM Hydantoin (CAS No.6440-58-0; limited to 0.6% in Europe)
• Diazolidinyl Urea (CAS No.78491-02-8; limited to 0.5% in Europe)
• Imidiazolidinyl Urea (CAS No.39236-46-9; limited to 0.6% in Europe)
• Quaternium-15 (CAS No.4080-31-3/51229-78-8; prohibited in Europe)
• Tosylamide/Formaldehyde Resin (PTSAF; CAS No.25035-71-6; no regulated in Europe)
• 2-Bromo-2-Nitropropane-1,3-Diol (Bronopol, CAS No.52-51-7; limited to 0.1% un Europe)
• Sodium Hydroxymethylglycinate (CAS No.70161-44-3; limited to 0.5% in Europe, the content of releasable formaldehyde to be less than 0.1% w/w)
• Polyoxymethylene Urea (CAS No.9011-05-6/68611-64-3; not regulated in Europe)
• Glyoxal (CAS No.107-22-2; limited to 100 mg/kg in …
