ZINC OXIDE
Bulking Agent; Colorant; Skin Protectant; Sunscreen Agent
Also listed as
FLOWERS OF ZINC; PHILOSOPHER'S WOOL; PIGMENT WHITE 4; CI 77947; LOW TEMPERATURE BURNED ZINC OXIDE; ZINC WHITE; ZINC FLOWERS; ZINC OXIDE (NON-NANO)
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: | |
 | Cancer |
 | Developmental/reproductive toxicity |
 | Restrictions & warnings |
| Allergies/immunotoxicity |
| Contamination concerns |
 | Other strong concerns for this ingredient: Occupational hazards |
| Other moderate concerns for this ingredient: Persistence and bioaccumulation, Organ system toxicity (non-reproductive) |
| Lesser or emerging concerns for this ingredient: Neurotoxicity, Ecotoxicology, Irritation (skin, eyes, or lungs) |
|
See products containing ZINC OXIDE | |
About ZINC OXIDE: To identify the colorant allowed for use in the European Union (EU), the INCI Name CI 77947 must be used, except for hair dye products. See "Regulatory and Ingredient Use Information," for Colorants in Volume 1, Introduction, Part A.
ingredient UV blocking strength
| common sunscreen concentrations |
UV blocking strength |
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2.0% |
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3.0% |
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20.0% |
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25.0% |
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ZINC OXIDE has reported used in the following product types: foundation (553); eye shadow (174); facial powder (152); concealer (123); blush (110); sunscreen: makeup (95); lip liner (93); facial moisturizer/treatment (60); diaper cream (60); bronzer/highlighter (52)
Allergies/immunotoxicity
| type of concern | product conditions | reference |
| Human immune and respiratory toxicant - strong evidence | Association of Occupational and Environmental Clinics | |
| One or more animal studies show effects at very low doses | Sayes CM, Reed KL, Warheit DB, 2007 | |
| Limited evidence of immune system toxicity | products that may be aerosolized (airborne) | California EPA, Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment |
Persistence and bioaccumulation
| type of concern | product conditions | reference |
| Persistent or bioaccumulative and moderate to high toxicity concern in humans | Environment Canada Domestic Substance List | |
| Persistent, bioaccumulative in wildlife | Canada PBTs - Accelerated Reduction/Elimination of Toxics (ARET) | |
| show more | ||
Occupational hazards
| type of concern | product conditions | reference |
| Allowed workplace exposures restricted to low doses | RTECS®- TLV/BEI,2007 | |
| Allowed workplace exposures restricted to low doses | RTECS®- TLV/BEI,2006 | |
| Strong evidence of occupational hazards | products that may be aerosolized (airborne) | Gordon T, Fine JM, 1993 |
| Allowed workplace exposures restricted to moderate doses | products that may be aerosolized (airborne) | National Library of Medicine HazMap |
| Allowed workplace exposures restricted to moderate doses | RTECS®- TLV/BEI,2005 |
Organ system toxicity (non-reproductive)
| type of concern | product conditions | reference |
| Classified as expected to be toxic or harmful | Environment Canada Domestic Substance List | |
| show more | ||
Developmental/reproductive toxicity
| type of concern | product conditions | reference |
| Limited evidence of reproductive toxicity | Zhu X, Zhu L, Duan Z, Qi R, Li Y, Lang Y, 2008 | |
| show more | ||
Cancer
| type of concern | product conditions | reference |
| One or more in vitro tests on mammalian cells show positive mutation results | RTECS®- Toxicology and Applied Pharmacology 1985 | |
| show more | ||
Neurotoxicity
| type of concern | product conditions | reference |
| One or more animal studies show brain, nervous system, or behavioral effects at high doses | RTECS®- Toxicologist 1997 |
Irritation (skin, eyes, or lungs)
| type of concern | product conditions | reference |
| One or more animal studies show skin irritation at moderate doses | RTECS®- "Sbornik Vysledku Toxixologickeho Vysetreni Latek A Pripravku," Marhold, J 1972 |
Ecotoxicology
| type of concern | product conditions | reference |
| Suspected to be an environmental toxin and be persistent or bioaccumulative | Environment Canada Domestic Substance List | |
| show more | ||
Decreased skin absorption
| type of concern | product conditions | reference |
| Limited potential to absorb into the skin. | Gulson B, McCall MJ, Gomez L, Korsch M, Casey P, Kinsley L, 2010 |
Multiple, additive exposure sources
| type of concern | product conditions | reference |
| Designated as safe for general or specific, limited use in food | FDA Everything Added to Food | |
| Designated as safe for general or specific, limited use in food | FDA Food Additive Status |
Data gaps
| type of concern | product conditions | reference |
| 2,143 studies in PubMed science library may include information on the toxicity of this chemical see search results -> | PubMed |
Enhanced skin absorption
| type of concern | product conditions | reference |
| Does not cause enhanced penetration | SCCNFP, 2003 |
Government, industry, academic studies and classifications
| government/industry list/academic study | appears on list as | classification(s) |
| European Union - Classification & Labelling | ZINC OXIDE | •Dangerous for the environment •Very toxic to aquatic organisms |
| FDA Food Additive Status | ZINC OXIDE | • NUTR/DS • GRAS (generally recognized as safe) - use in food presumed safe based either on a history of use before 1958 or on published scientific evidence; need not be approved by the FDA prior to use in food; most have not limit for use but must conform to good manufacturing practices; some GRAS substances have quantitative limit for use in foods; by definition under Sec 201(s) of FD&C Act, not food additives • Food additive: must be in accordance with good manufacturing practices, or sufficient for purpose; or in quantity not greater than required - CFR182.5991; 182.8991 |
| Association of Occupational and Environmental Clinics | ZINC | • Asthmagen sensitizer |
| FDA Color Additive Status | ZINC OXIDE | •Color additive approved by FDA for use in cosmetics •Color additive approved by FDA for cosmetics used around eyes |
| FDA Everything Added to Food | ZINC OXIDE | • Fully up-to-date toxicology information has been sought. |
| Environment Canada Domestic Substance List | ZINC OXIDE (ZNO) | •This chemical was flagged for further attention by CEPA due to suspected aquatic toxicity and persistence. The chemical was also flagged as a low human health priority. |
| CTFA International Cosmetic Ingredient Dictionary and Handbook | ZINC OXIDE | •Color Additives - Exempt from Batch Certification by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration |
| IFRA Fragrance Ingredient List | ZINC OXIDE (ZNO) | •The chemical has been reported as used in fragrance compounds by IFRA affiliated member companies in 2008. |
| National Library of Medicine HazMap | ZINC OXIDE | •PEL (OSHA) - Permissible exposure limit (OSHA): 5 mg/m3(fume and respirable dust), 15 mg/m3(total dust); •STEL (ACGIH) - Short-term exposure limits (ACGIH): 10 mg/m3, respirable fraction; •TLV (ACGIH) - Threshold limit value (ACGIH): 2 mg/m3, respirable fraction ; •IDLH (NIOSH) - Immediately Dangerous to Life or Health: 500 mg/m3; •MAK - Maximum Allowable Concentration (Federal Republic of Germany): 1 mg/m3, respirable fraction(fume); |
| EPA Toxic Release Inventory PBTs | ZINC COMPOUNDS | •Toxic, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Toxics Release Inventory programs |
| Gordon T, Fine JM, 1993 | ZINC OXIDE | Zinc inhalation causes metal fume fever, an acute self-limited illness. Zinc oxide is the most common cause. |
| Ketcheson MR, Barron GP, Cox DH, 1969 | ZINC OXIDE | In oral exposure study, 200 mg/kg ZnO induced a complete fetal resorption (100% prenatal death) in all treated dams |
| Adams, L, 2006 | ZINC OXIDE | |
| Borgå K, Campbell L, Gabrielsen GW, Norstrom RJ, Muir DC, Fisk AT, 2006 | ZINC | Zinc found to be bioaccumulative in Arctic seabirds |
| Sayes CM, Reed KL, Warheit DB, 2007 | ZINC OXIDE | Nano- and fine-sized zinc oxide produced potent but reversible inflammation of the lungs, which was resolved by 1 month post-instillation exposure. |
| Zhu X, Zhu L, Duan Z, Qi R, Li Y, Lang Y, 2008 | ||
| European_Chemicals_Bureau, 2004 | ZINC OXIDE (NON-NANO) | |
| SCCNFP, 2003 | ZINC OXIDE (NON-NANO) | Bulk size zinc oxide does not appear to penetrate healthy or psoriatic skin, results of in-vitro and in-vivo studies indicate absorbance of <1% |
| Gulson B, McCall MJ, Gomez L, Korsch M, Casey P, Kinsley L, 2010 | ZINC OXIDE (NON-NANO) | Human study showed about 0.4% of zinc oxide penetrated to bloodstream |
| California EPA, Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment | ZINC COMPOUNDS | •Respiratory toxicity hazards: suspected |
| California EPA, Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment | ZINC COMPOUNDS | •Immunotoxicity hazards: suspected |
| Canada PBTs - Accelerated Reduction/Elimination of Toxics (ARET) | ZINC COMPOUNDS | •Persistent toxicant under Canada's Accelerated Reduction/Elimination of Toxics program - targeted for elimination or reduction |
| RTECS®- TLV/BEI,2005 | ZINC OXIDE | • occupationally related - ACGIH TLV (human TWA) |
| RTECS®- TLV/BEI,2006 | ZINC OXIDE | • occupationally related - ACGIH TLV (human TWA) |
| RTECS®- TLV/BEI,2007 | ZINC OXIDE | • occupationally related - ACGIH TLV (human TWA) |
| RTECS®- "Sbornik Vysledku Toxixologickeho Vysetreni Latek A Pripravku," Marhold, J 1972 | ZINC OXIDE | • sense organ - Primary eye irritant (rabbit ) • skin - Primary skin irritant (rabbit ) |
| RTECS®- Cytology and Genetics (English Translation) 1978 | ZINC OXIDE | • mutagenic - Positive mutation assay: Cytogenetic Analysis (rat ihl) |
| RTECS®- Cytology and Genetics (English Translation) 1978 | ZINC OXIDE | • mutagenic - Positive mutation assay: Cytogenetic Analysis (rat ihl) |
| RTECS®- Gekkan Yakuji 1980 | ZINC OXIDE | • broad systemic - Broad systemic toxicity ( human LDLo) |
| RTECS®- Mutation Research 2008 | ZINC OXIDE | • mutagenic - Positive mutation assay: Cytogenetic Analysis ( human oth) |
| RTECS®- Mutation Research 1981 | ZINC OXIDE | • mutagenic - Positive mutation assay: DNA Adduct (Escherichia coli ) |
| RTECS®- Mutation Research 1981 | ZINC OXIDE | • mutagenic - Positive mutation assay: DNA Adduct (Escherichia coli ) |
| RTECS®- Shigaku 1987 | ZINC OXIDE | • mutagenic - Positive mutation assay: Morphological Transform (hamster emb) • mutagenic - Positive mutation assay: Sister Chromatid Exchange (hamster emb) • mutagenic - Positive mutation assay: Unscheduled DNA Synthesis (hamster emb) |
| RTECS®- Shigaku 1987 | ZINC OXIDE | • mutagenic - Positive mutation assay: Morphological Transform (hamster emb) • mutagenic - Positive mutation assay: Sister Chromatid Exchange (hamster emb) • mutagenic - Positive mutation assay: Unscheduled DNA Synthesis (hamster emb) |
| RTECS®- Toxicologist 1997 | ZINC OXIDE | • brain, nervous system, or behavioral effect - Changes in motor activity (specific assay) (rat TDLo) |
| RTECS®- Toxicology and Applied Pharmacology 1985 | ZINC OXIDE | • mutagenic - Positive mutation assay: Unscheduled DNA Synthesis (guinea pig ihl) |
references
| government/industry list/academic study | reference |
| European Union - Classification & Labelling | CPS&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 Status | FDA (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. |
| Association of Occupational and Environmental Clinics | AOEC (Association of Occupational and Environmental Clinics). 2009. AEOC exposures codes and asthmagen designation. |
| FDA Color Additive Status | FDA (U.S. Food and Drug Administration) 2006. Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition. Color Additive Status List. September 2006. |
| FDA Everything Added to Food | FDA (U.S. Food and Drug Administration). 2008. EAFUS [Everything Added to Food]: A Food Additive Database. FDA Office of Food Safety and Applied Nutrition. |
| Environment Canada Domestic Substance List | EC (Environment Canada). 2008. Domestic Substances List Categorization. Canadian Environmental Protection Act (CEPA) Environmental Registry. |
| CTFA International Cosmetic Ingredient Dictionary and Handbook | CTFA (Cosmetic, Toiletry and Fragrance Association). 2006. International Cosmetic Ingredient Dictionary and Handbook, 11th Edition. Color Additive Information. Washington, DC. |
| IFRA Fragrance Ingredient List | IFRA (International Fragrance Assocication). 2010. IFRA Fragrance Ingredient List based on 2008 Use Survey. Accessed online 01/04/2010: http://www.ifraorg.org/Home/News/Latest-News/page.aspx/66?xf_itemId=43&xf_selectionDatapartId=25 |
| National Library of Medicine HazMap | NLM (National Library of Medicine). 2006. HazMap — Occupational Exposure to Hazardous Agents. |
| EPA Toxic Release Inventory PBTs | EPA (U.S. Environmental Protection Agency). 1999. Toxics Release Inventory Program. PBT Chemical Rule. |
| Open scientific literature | Gordon T, Fine JM. 1993. Metal fume fever. Occup Med. Jul-Sep;8(3):504-17. Review. |
| Open scientific literature | Ketcheson MR, Barron GP, Cox DH. 1969. Relationship of Maternal Dietary Zinc during Gestation and Lactation to Development and Zinc, Iron and Copper Content of the Postnatal Rat. J Nutr 98: 303-311 |
| Open scientific literature | Adams, L. K., D. Y. Lyon, et al. (2006). "Comparative eco-toxicity of nanoscale TiO2, SiO2, and ZnO water suspensions." Water Research Article in Press. |
| Open scientific literature | Borgå K, Campbell L, Gabrielsen GW, Norstrom RJ, Muir DC, Fisk AT. 2006. Regional and species specific bioaccumulation of major and trace elements in Arctic seabirds. Environ Toxicol Chem. 2006 Nov;25(11):2927-36. |
| Open scientific literature | Sayes CM, Reed KL, Warheit DB. 2007. Assessing toxicity of fine and nanoparticles: comparing in vitro measurements to in vivo pulmonary toxicity profiles. Toxicol Sci 97(1): 163-80. |
| Open scientific literature | Zhu X, Zhu L, Duan Z, Qi R, Li Y, Lang Y. 2008. Comparative toxicity of several metal oxide nanoparticle aqueous suspensions to Zebrafish (Danio rerio) early developmental stage. J Environ Sci Health A Tox Hazard Subst Environ Eng 43(3): 278-84. |
| Open scientific literature | European_Chemicals_Bureau. 2004. ZINC OXIDE Part II – Human Health, CAS No: 1314-13-2, EINECS No: 215-222-5; Summary Risk Assessment Report Addendum to the Part II (Human Health) I-21020 Ispra (VA) Italy. |
| Open scientific literature | SCCNFP. 2003. Opinion concerning Zinc Oxide: European Commission - The Scientfic Committee on Cosmetic Products and Non-Food Products Intended for Consumers. Available: http://ec.europa.eu/health/ph_risk/committees/sccp/sccp_opinions_en.htm |
| Open scientific literature | Gulson B, McCall MJ, Gomez L, Korsch M, Casey P, Kinsley L. 2010. Dermal absorption of ZnO particles from sunscreens applied to humans at the beach. realizebeauty.files.wordpress.com/2010/02/iconn2010-abstract-gulson1.pdf |
| Scorecard.org Toxicity Information | California EPA, Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment. Air Toxics Hot Spots Program Risk Assessment Guidelines, Part III: Technical Support Document |
| Scorecard.org Toxicity Information | California EPA, Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment. Air Toxics Hot Spots Program Risk Assessment Guidelines, Part III: Technical Support Document |
| Canada PBTs - Accelerated Reduction/Elimination of Toxics (ARET) | EC (Environment Canada). 1994. Accelerated Reduction/Elimination of Toxics (ARET). ARET substance list of persistent, bioaccumulative and toxic chemicals. |
| RTECS®- TLV/BEI,2005 | RTECS®- TLV/BEI,2005 |
| RTECS®- TLV/BEI,2006 | RTECS®- TLV/BEI,2006 |
| RTECS®- TLV/BEI,2007 | RTECS®- TLV/BEI,2007 |
| RTECS®- "Sbornik Vysledku Toxixologickeho Vysetreni Latek A Pripravku," Marhold, J 1972 | RTECS®- "Sbornik Vysledku Toxixologickeho Vysetreni Latek A Pripravku," Marhold, J.V., Institut Pro Vychovu Vedoucicn Pracovniku Chemickeho Prumyclu Praha, Czechoslovakia, 1972 -,10,1972 |
| RTECS®- Cytology and Genetics (English Translation) 1978 | RTECS®- Cytology and Genetics (English Translation). Translation of TGANAK. (Allerton Press Inc., 150 Fifth Ave., New York, NY 10011) V.8- 1974- 12(3),46,1978 |
| RTECS®- Cytology and Genetics (English Translation) 1978 | RTECS®- Cytology and Genetics (English Translation). Translation of TGANAK. (Allerton Press Inc., 150 Fifth Ave., New York, NY 10011) V.8- 12(3),46,1978 |
| RTECS®- Gekkan Yakuji 1980 | RTECS®- Gekkan Yakuji. Pharmaceuticals Monthly. (Yakugyo Jihosha, Inaoka Bldg., 2-36 Jinbo-cho, Kanda, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo 101, Japan) V.1- 1959- 22,291,1980 |
| RTECS®- Mutation Research 2008 | RTECS®- Mutation Research. (Elsevier Science Pub. B.V., POB 211, 1000 AE Amsterdam, Netherlands) V.1- 650,39,2008 |
| RTECS®- Mutation Research 1981 | RTECS®- Mutation Research. (Elsevier Science Pub. B.V., POB 211, 1000 AE Amsterdam, Netherlands) V.1- 89,95,1981 |
| RTECS®- Mutation Research 1981 | RTECS®- Mutation Research. (Elsevier Science Pub. B.V., POB 211, 1000 AE Amsterdam, Netherlands) V.1- -1964 89,95,1981 |
| RTECS®- Shigaku 1987 | RTECS®- Shigaku. Ondotology. (Nippon Shika Daigaku Shigakkai, 1-9-20 Fujimi, Chiyodaku, Tokyo 102, Japan) V.38- 74,1385,1987 |
| RTECS®- Shigaku 1987 | RTECS®- Shigaku. Ondotology. (Nippon Shika Daigaku Shigakkai, 1-9-20 Fujimi, Chiyodaku, Tokyo 102, Japan) V.38- 1949- 74,1385,1987 |
| RTECS®- Toxicologist 1997 | RTECS®- Toxicologist. (Soc. of Toxicology, Inc., 475 Wolf Ledge Parkway, Akron, OH 44311) V.1- -1981 36(1,pt2),183,1997 |
| RTECS®- Toxicology and Applied Pharmacology 1985 | RTECS®- Toxicology and Applied Pharmacology. (Academic Press, Inc., 1 E. First St., Duluth, MN 55802) V.1- 78,29,1985 |
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