1,4-Dioxane is a synthetic industrial solvent used as an ingredient in cosmetics, detergents, stains, inks, paints, and varnishes. It is a colorless liquid that is volatile, flammable, and smells like ether. Animal studies prove that 1,4-Dioxane is toxic, affecting the central nervous system, kidneys and the liver. It is a known eye and respiratory tract irritant and is considered to be possibly carcinogenic to humans because it is a known carcinogen in animals.
The chemical appears as an accidental byproduct of the process (ethoxylation) used to create sodium laureth sulfate and other ingredients used to manufacture cosmetics. It may contaminate cosmetics and personal care products such as deodorants, shampoos, toothpastes and mouthwashes. It reacts with air to form explosive peroxides under certain conditions; exposure to sunlight accelerates this formation. It decomposes to carbon monoxide.
When released to the environment, 1,4-dioxane is a troublesome groundwater contaminant because of its miscibility—it's ability to completely mix in any percentage—with water. When released into the soil, it does not biodegrade and it may leach into groundwater. In the soil, it may evaporate to a moderate extent. The chemical does not significantly bioaccumulate. When released into the air, 1,4-dioxane has a half-life of one day and is readily degraded by reaction with photochemically produced hydroxyl radicals.
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