Cyclopentasiloxane

[VanillaTresses]

I was reading that cyclopentasiloxane was added to a list of toxic ingredients that the Canadian Environmental Protection Agency came up with. I was very interested to hear this and I know that since we here at LHC make such a big deal over cones or no-cones that probably you all would be interested too. Has anyone else heard about this? I am not trying to create a big scare, and personally I am not sure what to believe. I wish that there was more unbiased information available, everything seems to be either hardcore pro-industry or hardcore pro-environment.


The Canadian government has earmarked a family of chemicals used in personal care products for the toxic list as part of a comprehensive safety review of chemicals found in consumer goods.

Industry will have 60 days to comment on the proposals before the chemicals are added to the federal list of substances that are toxic for the environment or human health.

Government proposes 11 toxic ingredients

Among the 11 substances proposed for the toxic list, Cyclopentasiloxane D5 is the most commonly used in personal care, according to Michael Patton, the spokesperson for the Canadian Cosmetic, Toiletry and Fragrance Association (CCTFA).

A building block of silicone, the chemical was considered to be an environmental hazard, especially to water-based organisms, but as for human health it was described as being safe at current levels of exposure.

Similar conclusions were reached about its close relations Cyclopentasiloxane D4 and D6 although these substances are rarely used in personal care.

Here is a link to the article: http://www.cosmeticsdesign-europe.com/Products-Markets/Canada-proposes-personal-care-ingredients-for-toxic-list

[VanillaTresses]

Here is another excerpt and link to a full article:


Siloxanes D4, D5 and D6

Siloxanes are an ingredient found in most personal care products on the market in Canada. They are also used in many other applications such as textiles, paints and coatings, antiperspirants, sealants, lubricants, plastics, non-medical ingredients in pharmaceuticals, silicone polymers, food additives, surface treatments for wounds, and medical devices.

Three types of siloxanes (D4, D5 and D6) were assessed as part of Batch 2. The draft screening assessments were published on May 17, 2008. The final assessments reflect new information that was received during the Challenge process.

The final assessments conclude that siloxanes are not a concern forhuman health, based on the amount of these substances that an individual would be exposed to through the use of various products, including personal care products.

However, siloxanes D4 and D5 are widely used in products across Canada, and therefore are entering the environment in relatively large quantities, stay in the environment a long time (persistent), and may harm fish and aquatic organisms. To limit the amount of D4 and D5 that is released to the environment, the Government of Canada is proposing to set a concentration limit for D4 and D5 in products.

http://www.ec.gc.ca/default.asp?lang=En&n=714D9AAE-1&news=546F7166-9C61-4CA5-BB67-804EC3F2A0ED

[sedonia]

This is really surprising to me. Cyclopentasiloxane D5 is an extremely inert, inactive substance that has previously been categorized as posing very low risks of any kind.

D4s are different matters as they are small enough molecules to absorb into the skin.

Edited to add: reading the article I didn't see anything about D5 being a human hazard; they are just concerned about what it might do in the environment in large amounts. They probably don't have enough data one way or another.

[Fractalsofhair]

Well, any preservative can and could easily be dangerous to people. Remember, the point of these is to kill germs. As far as I know, the safest option is tea tree oil, but that can irritate skin and dry it out. It depends on how the preservative kills the germs to be honest.

[VanillaTresses]

Cyclopentasiloxane is a silicone, not a preservative. I think that the concern is that silicones are building up in the environment. Since they don't break down easily, they are accumulating in water supplies. Silicones in haircare and body care products are a fairly recent phenomenon. If we all keep using them on into the future then are we just going to be contaminating our own water supply with something that is not biodegradable? I don't want to be alarmist but I am wondering if we aren't going to hear a lot more about this issue in the future. I am still not sure where I sit on the fence though, I don't feel like I have enough information.

[hennaphile]

My OCD really needed something else to munch on, Oh boy!

[VanillaTresses]

Ooops, sorry! I guess I have those tendencies too. As if we don't have enough to worry about... I will find even more! It just comes to me naturally. :rolleyes: