POTASSIUM HYDROXIDE

pH Adjuster; BUFFERING  

SCORE

2

low hazard

 

80%

data gap

(why scores have changed)

Also listed as

CAUSTIC POTASH; CAUSTIC POTASH; POTASSIUM HYDROXIDE; POTASSIUM HYDROXIDE; POTASSIUM HYDROXIDE (K (OH) ) ; CAUSTIC POTASH; HYDROXYDE DE POTASSIUM (FRENCH) ; KALIUMHYDROXID (GERMAN) ; KALIUMHYDROXYDE (DUTCH) ; LYE; POTASSA; POTASSE CAUSTIQUE (FRENCH) ; POTASSIO (IDROSSIDO DI) (ITALIAN)


Given the incomplete information made available by companies and the government, EWG provides additional information on personal care product ingredients from the published scientific literature. The chart below indicates that research studies have found that exposure to this ingredient -- not the products containing it -- caused the indicated health effect(s) in the studies reviewed by Skin Deep researchers. Actual health risks, if any, will vary based on the level of exposure to the ingredient and individual susceptibility -- information not available in Skin Deep.

This ingredient:
yes, weakCancer
noDevelopmental/reproductive toxicity
noRestrictions & warnings
noAllergies/immunotoxicity
noContamination concerns
noOther strong concerns for this ingredient:
Occupational hazards
noOther moderate concerns for this ingredient:
Organ system toxicity (non-reproductive), Irritation (skin, eyes, or lungs)
noLesser or emerging concerns for this ingredient:
Data gaps
 
See products containing POTASSIUM HYDROXIDE

About POTASSIUM HYDROXIDE: Potassium Hydroxide is the inorganic base.

POTASSIUM HYDROXIDE has reported used in the following product types: moisturizer (106); facial moisturizer/treatment (61); facial cleanser (51); anti-aging (36); hand cream (33); exfoliant/scrub (33); body wash/cleanser (27); shaving cream (men's) (19); shampoo (15); shaving cream (14)


Occupational hazards

type of concern product conditions reference
Allowed workplace exposures restricted to low doses    European Union - Classification & Labelling
show more

Organ system toxicity (non-reproductive)

type of concern product conditions reference
Classified as expected to be toxic or harmful    Environment Canada Domestic Substance List
Classified as medium human health priority    Environment Canada Domestic Substance List
show more

Cancer

type of concern product conditions reference
One or more in vitro tests on mammalian cells show positive mutation results    RTECS®- Gann 1963
show more

Irritation (skin, eyes, or lungs)

type of concern product conditions reference
One or more animal studies show skin irritation at very low doses    RTECS®- Toxicology and Applied Pharmacology 1975

Data gaps

type of concern product conditions reference
Not assessed for safety in cosmetics by industry panel  
505 studies in PubMed science library may include information on the toxicity of this chemical see search results ->   PubMed

Multiple, additive exposure sources

type of concern product conditions reference
Designated as safe for general or specific, limited use in food   FDA Food Additive Status
Designated as safe for general or specific, limited use in food   FDA Everything Added to Food

Persistence and bioaccumulation

type of concern product conditions reference
Not suspected to be bioaccumulative    Environment Canada Domestic Substance List

Miscellaneous

type of concern product conditions reference
Occupational hazards related to handling   European Union - Classification & Labelling

Ecotoxicology

type of concern product conditions reference
Not suspected to be an environmental toxin    Environment Canada Domestic Substance List



Government, industry, academic studies and classifications

government/industry list/academic study appears on list as classification(s)
European Union - Classification & LabellingPOTASSIUM HYDROXIDE•Harmful
•Harmful if swallowed
•Corrosive
•Causes severe burns
FDA Food Additive StatusPOTASSIUM HYDROXIDE• B&N/MISC
• Substances generally recognized as safe in foods but limited in standardized foods where the standard provides for its use -184.1631
• refers to part number under Title 21 Code of Federal Regulations 163
• Cacao Products
• refers to part number under Title 21 Code of Federal Regulations 582.1631 - In animal feeds
FDA Everything Added to FoodPOTASSIUM HYDROXIDE• Fully up-to-date toxicology information has been sought.
National Library of Medicine HazMapPOTASSIUM HYDROXIDE•Dermatotoxin: Skin Burns;
•Ceiling (American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygiene, ACGIH): 2 mg/m3;
•Flammability (NFPA) - NFPA flammability code: 0 = will not burn; 1 = must be preheated; 2 = high ambient temp required; 3 = may ignite at ambient temp; 4 = burn readily: 0: will not burn;
Environment Canada Domestic Substance ListPOTASSIUM HYDROXIDE (K(OH))•This chemical was deemed a moderate human health priority and was flagged by CEPA for further attention. The chemical was flagged for suspected persistence.
Association of Occupational and Environmental ClinicsPOTASSIUM HYDROXIDE• o
RTECS®- Fundamental and Applied Toxicology 1987POTASSIUM HYDROXIDE• broad systemic - Broad systemic toxicity (rat LD50)
RTECS®- Gann 1963POTASSIUM HYDROXIDE• mutagenic - Positive mutation assay: Cytogenetic Analysis (rat ast)
RTECS®- Gann 1963POTASSIUM HYDROXIDE• mutagenic - Positive mutation assay: Cytogenetic Analysis (rat ast)
RTECS®- Mutation Research 1989POTASSIUM HYDROXIDE• mutagenic - Positive mutation assay: Cytogenetic Analysis (hamster ovr)
RTECS®- Mutation Research 1989POTASSIUM HYDROXIDE• mutagenic - Positive mutation assay: Cytogenetic Analysis (hamster ovr)
RTECS®- Toxicology and Applied Pharmacology 1975POTASSIUM HYDROXIDE• skin - Primary skin irritant ( human )
RTECS®- Toxicology and Applied Pharmacology 1975POTASSIUM HYDROXIDE• sense organ - Primary eye irritant (rabbit )
RTECS®- Toxicology and Applied Pharmacology 1975POTASSIUM HYDROXIDE• skin - Primary skin irritant ( human )
RTECS®- Toxicology and Applied Pharmacology 1975POTASSIUM HYDROXIDE• sense organ - Primary eye irritant (rabbit )

references

government/industry list/academic study reference
European Union - Classification & LabellingCPS&Q (Consumer Products Safety & Quality) formely known as ECB (European Chemicals Bureau). 2008. Classification and Labelling: Chemicals: Annex VI of Directive 67/548/EEC through the 31st ATP.
FDA Food Additive StatusFDA (U.S. Food and Drug Administration) 2006. Food Additive Status List. Downloaded from http://www.cfsan.fda.gov/%7Edms/opa-appa.html, Oct 16, 2006.
FDA Everything Added to FoodFDA (U.S. Food and Drug Administration). 2008. EAFUS [Everything Added to Food]: A Food Additive Database. FDA Office of Food Safety and Applied Nutrition.
National Library of Medicine HazMapNLM (National Library of Medicine). 2006. HazMap — Occupational Exposure to Hazardous Agents.
Environment Canada Domestic Substance ListEC (Environment Canada). 2008. Domestic Substances List Categorization. Canadian Environmental Protection Act (CEPA) Environmental Registry.
Association of Occupational and Environmental ClinicsAOEC (Association of Occupational and Environmental Clinics). 2009. AEOC exposures codes and asthmagen designation.
RTECS®- Fundamental and Applied Toxicology 1987RTECS®- Fundamental and Applied Toxicology. (Academic Press, Inc., 1 E. First St., Duluth, MN 55802) V.1-40, 1981-97. For publisher information, see TOSCF2 8,97,1987
RTECS®- Gann 1963RTECS®- Gann. Japanese Journal of Cancer Research. (Tokyo, Japan) V.1-75, 1907-84. For publisher information, see JJCREP. 54,155,1963
RTECS®- Gann 1963RTECS®- Gann. Japanese Journal of Cancer Research. (Tokyo, Japan) V.1-75, 1907-84. For publisher information, see JJCREP. 54,155,1963
RTECS®- Mutation Research 1989RTECS®- Mutation Research. (Elsevier Science Pub. B.V., POB 211, 1000 AE Amsterdam, Netherlands) V.1- 225,55,1989
RTECS®- Mutation Research 1989RTECS®- Mutation Research. (Elsevier Science Pub. B.V., POB 211, 1000 AE Amsterdam, Netherlands) V.1- -1964 225,55,1989
RTECS®- Toxicology and Applied Pharmacology 1975RTECS®- Toxicology and Applied Pharmacology. (Academic Press, Inc., 1 E. First St., Duluth, MN 55802) V.1- 1959- 31,481,1975
RTECS®- Toxicology and Applied Pharmacology 1975RTECS®- Toxicology and Applied Pharmacology. (Academic Press, Inc., 1 E. First St., Duluth, MN 55802) V.1- 1959- 32,239,1975
RTECS®- Toxicology and Applied Pharmacology 1975RTECS®- Toxicology and Applied Pharmacology. (Academic Press, Inc., 1 E. First St., Duluth, MN 55802) V.1- 31,481,1975
RTECS®- Toxicology and Applied Pharmacology 1975RTECS®- Toxicology and Applied Pharmacology. (Academic Press, Inc., 1 E. First St., Duluth, MN 55802) V.1- 32,239,1975

"RTECS®" is a United States trademark owned and licensed under authority of the U.S. Government, by and through MDL Information Systems, Inc.

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