ZIRCONIUM DIOXIDE
Opacifying Agent
Also listed as
ZIRCONIUM OXIDE; ZIRCONIUM OXIDE (ZRO2) ; AI3-29087
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: Enhanced skin absorption |
 | Other moderate concerns for this ingredient: Occupational hazards |
 | Lesser or emerging concerns for this ingredient: Data gaps |
|
See products containing ZIRCONIUM DIOXIDE | |
About ZIRCONIUM DIOXIDE: Zirconium Dioxide is the inorganic oxide.
ZIRCONIUM DIOXIDE has reported used in the following product types: sunscreen: SPF 15-30 (2); anti-aging (1); around-eye cream (1)
Occupational hazards
| type of concern | product conditions | reference |
| Allowed workplace exposures restricted to moderate doses | RTECS®- TLV/BEI,2007 | |
| Allowed workplace exposures restricted to moderate doses | RTECS®- TLV/BEI,2006 |
Enhanced skin absorption
| type of concern | product conditions | reference |
| Suspected nano-scale ingredients with potential to absorb into the skin | Nanomaterial Database |
Data gaps
| type of concern | product conditions | reference |
| Not assessed for safety in cosmetics by industry panel | ||
| 149 studies in PubMed science library may include information on the toxicity of this chemical see search results -> | PubMed |
Ecotoxicology
| type of concern | product conditions | reference |
| Not suspected to be an environmental toxin | Environment Canada Domestic Substance List |
Organ system toxicity (non-reproductive)
| type of concern | product conditions | reference |
| Classified as a low human health priority | Environment Canada Domestic Substance List | |
| show more | ||
Persistence and bioaccumulation
| type of concern | product conditions | reference |
| Not suspected to be bioaccumulative | Environment Canada Domestic Substance List |
Government, industry, academic studies and classifications
| government/industry list/academic study | appears on list as | classification(s) |
| Environment Canada Domestic Substance List | ZIRCONIUM OXIDE (ZRO2) | •This chemical was deemed a low human health priority and was NOT flagged by CEPA for further attention. The chemical was flagged for suspected persistence. |
| Nanomaterial Database | ZIRCONIUM OXIDE | •potential nano-scale ingredient |
| RTECS®- TLV/BEI,2006 | ZIRCONIUM DIOXIDE | • occupationally related - ACGIH TLV (human TWA) |
| RTECS®- TLV/BEI,2007 | ZIRCONIUM DIOXIDE | • occupationally related - ACGIH TLV (human TWA) |
references
| government/industry list/academic study | reference |
| Environment Canada Domestic Substance List | EC (Environment Canada). 2008. Domestic Substances List Categorization. Canadian Environmental Protection Act (CEPA) Environmental Registry. |
| Nanomaterial Database | NanoWerk. 2007. Nanomaterial Database. Available online: http://www.nanowerk.com/phpscripts/n_dbsearch.php |
| RTECS®- TLV/BEI,2006 | RTECS®- TLV/BEI,2006 |
| RTECS®- TLV/BEI,2007 | RTECS®- TLV/BEI,2007 |
"RTECS®" is a United States trademark owned and licensed under authority of the U.S. Government, by and through MDL Information Systems, Inc.
Copyright © 2010 by Environmental Working Group
All rights reserved.
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