If you use commercial baby wipes, then the answer is probably yes (even though you probably didn’t know it). Every mainstream brand of baby wipes I’ve looked at contain Propylene Glycol – the main ingredient in Anti Freeze. There’s also a very good chance you’re using it on your skin every day, in your eye makeup remover and much more.
So, Propylene Glycol – what is it? Propylene Glycol (or propane-1,2-diol) is a Petrochemical Solvent. It originates from crude oil and it goes through a few processes and becomes Propylene Glycol (or Ethylene Glycol or Polyethylene Glycol – PEG – similar chemicals with very similar characteristics).
Both ethylene glycol and propylene glycol are clear, colourless, slightly syrupy liquids at room temperature. Ethylene glycol is odourless but has a sweet taste. Propylene glycol is practically odourless and tasteless.
Some info from the MSDS (Material Safety Data Sheet) for Propylene Glycol
Hazards Identification-
Potential Acute Health Effects:
Hazardous in case of ingestion. Slightly hazardous in case of skin contact (irritant, permeator), of eye contact (irritant), of inhalation.
Potential Chronic Health Effects:
Slightly hazardous in case of skin contact (sensitizer).
CARCINOGENIC EFFECTS: Not available.
MUTAGENIC EFFECTS: Not available.
TERATOGENIC EFFECTS: Not available.
DEVELOPMENTAL TOXICITY: Not available.
The substance may be toxic to central nervous system (CNS).
Repeated or prolonged exposure to the substance can produce target organs damage.
First Aid Measures-
Eye Contact:
Check for and remove any contact lenses. Immediately flush eyes with running water for at least 15 minutes, keeping eyelids open. Cold water may be used. Get medical attention.
Skin Contact:
In case of contact, immediately flush skin with plenty of water. Cover the irritated skin with an emollient. Remove contaminated clothing and shoes. Cold water may be used.Wash clothing before reuse. Thoroughly clean shoes before reuse. Get medical attention.
Serious Skin Contact:
Wash with a disinfectant soap and cover the contaminated skin with an anti-bacterial cream. Seek immediate medical attention.
Inhalation:
If inhaled, remove to fresh air. If not breathing, give artificial respiration. If breathing is difficult, give oxygen. Get medical attention.
Serious Inhalation: Not available.
Ingestion:
Do NOT induce vomiting unless directed to do so by medical personnel. Never give anything by mouth to an unconscious person. If large quantities of this material are swallowed, call a physician immediately. Loosen tight clothing such as a collar, tie, belt or waistband.
Serious Ingestion: Not available.
NOTE: I came across another MSDS that said that ingestion was not likely – um hello! – they put this stuff in cakes and ice cream and who knows what else – eating something was classed as ingestion last time I looked.
Ethylene Glycol’s hazards are more specific -
Hazards Identification
Emergency Overview
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WARNING! HARMFUL OR FATAL IF SWALLOWED. HARMFUL IF INHALED OR ABSORBED THROUGH SKIN. MAY CAUSE ALLERGIC SKIN REACTION. MAY CAUSE IRRITATION TO SKIN, EYES, AND RESPIRATORY TRACT. AFFECTS CENTRAL NERVOUS SYSTEM.
SAF-T-DATA(tm) Ratings (Provided here for your convenience)
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Health Rating: 2 – Moderate (Life)
Flammability Rating: 1 – Slight
Reactivity Rating: 1 – Slight
Contact Rating: 3 – Severe (Life)
Lab Protective Equip: GOGGLES & SHIELD; LAB COAT & APRON; VENT HOOD; PROPER GLOVES
Storage Color Code: Green (General Storage)
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Potential Health Effects
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Inhalation:
Vapor inhalation is generally not a problem unless heated or misted. Exposure to vapors over an extended time period has caused throat irritation and headache. May cause nausea, vomiting, dizziness and drowsiness. Pulmonary edema and central nervous system depression may also develop. When heated or misted, has produced rapid, involuntary eye movement and coma.
Ingestion:
Initial symptoms in massive dosage parallel alcohol intoxication, progressing to CNS depression, vomiting, headache, rapid respiratory and heart rate, lowered blood pressure, stupor, collapse, and unconsciousness with convulsions. Death from respiratory arrest or cardiovascular collapse may follow. Lethal dose in humans: 100 ml (3-4 ounces).
Skin Contact:
Minor skin irritation and penetration may occur.
Eye Contact:
Splashes may cause irritation, pain, eye damage.
Chronic Exposure:
Repeated small exposures by any route can cause severe kidney problems. Brain damage may also occur. Skin allergy can develop. May damage the developing fetus.
Aggravation of Pre-existing Conditions:
Persons with pre-existing skin disorders, eye problems, or impaired liver, kidney, or respiratory function may be more susceptible to the effects of this substance.
Now, it’s fairly obvious that these substances can cause health problems, they can cause kidney problems and they (as well as Polyethylene Glycol or PEG) are commonly used in skin care as well as other personal care products and many other products including foods in the case of Propylene Glycol.
Propylene Glycol and other glycol ethers are commonly used in skin care products, eye makeup remover, baby wipes, hair care products, bakery products and many more. They are also the main ingredient in Anti-Freeze.
They are used as humectants, solvent, surfactants and wetting agents. They are used in skin care products because they make the skin feel nice and so appear to be be doing the job.
Propylene Glycol and the other glycol ethers are readily absorbed through the skin and accumulate in organs including the heart, liver and kidneys. You will notice on the MSDS for Propylene Glycol that information on carcinogenic effects, toxicity and other effects are not known – not enough information. However research indicates that there are serious problems with coming into contact with it and there are more definite known issues with Ethylene Glycol.
The chemical companies and personal care companies that put these in their products, would have us believe that even though there is evidence that Propylene Glycol and the other glycol ethers are hazardous to health, it’s ok for us to use them every day in small amounts in various products – does that even make the slightest bit of sense? I don’t think so. The fact that Propylene Glycol is allowed in food is even more bizarre (see my post on the Chocolate Cake ingredients!).
When you use products containing these, they’re not only being absorbed through your skin and being deposited in your organs causing who knows what health problems in the process, but they’re aging your skin at the same time! This really makes me mad (and it should you too) – that not only are these companies that include these ingredients in their products putting your health at risk, but they’re blatantly lying, ripping you off and taking you for a ride by selling you products that promise to be anti aging when in fact they are having the exact opposite effect – they’re aging your skin probably faster than would happen if you used nothing at all!
So, what do we know about Propylene Glycol so far? It’s a very common ingredient with NO therapeutic benefits. It has some very real concerns around it’s safety. It’s used because it’s cheap and makes skin feel smooth. A run down on Propylene Glycol -
* Is readily absorbed through the skin and scalp
* Accumulates in the heart, liver and kidneys causing abnormalities and damage
* Weakens the immune system
* Studies have shown that Propylene Glycol is capable of producing both primary irritant skin reactions and allergic sensitisation including contact dermatitis
* It inhibits skin cell growth in human tests and can damage cell membranes causing rashes, dry skin and surface damage
* Can cause significant numbers of reacti0ns and primary is irritant to the skin, even in low levels of concentration
* As above, the MSDS warns users to avoid contact with the skin
Although there are concerns about using Propylene Glycol on the skin, there are even more concerns regarding it’s use in sprays and mists. If you review the MSDS on inhalation and eyes, you’ll understand why and yet it is used commonly in these types of products.
For those with sensitive skins, products containing Propylene Glycol may cause or contribute to skin conditions and I think I could safely say that they would almost certainly make conditions such as acne, excema or psoriasis worse, but if you look at the ingredients in common acne preparations as well as products designed for other skin conditions, you will often find these ingredients there.
Propylene Glycol is at this point in time thought to not be carcinogenic, but it does have other very real concerns surrounding it’s use and still many questions to be answered. If you had the choice to use products that don’t contain it, then why would you risk your health and your families health by using it? There are safer alternative products on the market that don’t contain Propylene Glycol, or Sodium Lauryl Sulphate or the many other nasty ingredients. Why not switch to safer product? Vote with your $$$ because that’s what these companies listen to, and let them know that we’re not going to continue to be taken for a ride.
Author Sue Woledge – Creating a Toxin Free Future
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