This Chemical is Used in Your Makeup and Cleaning Products, Can it be Safe?

Figure 1. Woman applying makeup
Source: Commons Wikipedia. https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Woman_applying_make-up.jpg (accessed February 20, 2018).

Quaternium-15

What is it?

The chemical formula for quaternium-15 is C₉H₁₆Cl₂N₄.⁵ It is a cream coloured powder with a boiling point of 60 ̊ C, and a melting point of 178 – 210 ̊ C.⁵

What is it used for?

Quaternium-15 is used as a preservative and anti-microbial agent in many different products.⁶ This compound can be used to resist the growth of bacteria, fungi, and molds.⁴ Due to these properties, quaternium-15 is used in a variety of different products. It is found in many shampoo, moisturizing creams and lotions, cosmetics, and cleaners. However, it is also found in products such as cleansers, disinfectants, gloves, and food packaging.⁴

Due to the products this compound is in, hair stylists, janitors, and housekeepers tend to be exposed to quaternium-15 at a larger amount.⁴

What are the health effects?

Quaternium-15 is a formaldehyde releasing product, which make it an effective anti-microbial.⁷ Due to the release of formaldehyde, quaternium-15 is a carcinogen, meaning that is can lead to the development of cancer. Other than that, quaternium-15 is known to irritate skin and eyes.³ Ongoing exposure to this compound can also lead to poor overall blood circulation, liver damage, and diarrhea.²

Controversies

In 2013, Johnson & Johnson, which is the parent company of Aveeno, Clean & Clear and multiple other brands, said they were to remove quaternium-15 from nearly all adult toiletries, and baby products, by 2015.¹ This was due to consumer concerns about the ingredients in their products. However, a list of products containing quaternium-15 that was updated September 2017, still lists many Aveeno and J & J products.⁸

What can you do?

Make sure to check the labels of products that you are using. As many chemicals have many different names, it is important to look up synonyms. Be aware of health effects that can be caused by common ingredients, and change your products accordingly.

References

¹ CBS News. Johnson & Johnson to phase out potentially harmful chemicals by 2015. https://www.cbsnews.com/news/johnson-johnson-to-phase-out-potentially-harmful-chemicals-by-2015/ (accessed February 1, 2018).

² Earl Garcia. Quaterium-15 - toxicity, side effects, diseases and environmental impacts. http://www.chemicals.news/2017-11-23-quaternium-15-toxicity-side-effects-diseases-and-environmental-impacts.html (accessed Febuary 1, 2018).

³ EWG. Quaternium-15 (Formaldehyde Releaser). https://www.ewg.org/skindeep/ingredient/705478/QUATERNIUM-15_(FORMALDEHYDE_RELEASER)/#.WoES9qinHIU (accessed Febuary 1, 2018).

⁴ J. Desiree Douglas. Allergic Contact Dermatitis: Topical Preservatives, Part I. https://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/725087_4 (accessed Febuary 1, 2018).

⁵ Pubchem. Quaternium-15. https://pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/compound/6433396#section=Top (accessed Febuary 1, 2018).

⁶ Revolvy. Quaternium-15. https://www.revolvy.com/main/index.php?s=Quaternium-15  (accessed february 1, 2018).

⁷ T3DB. Quaternium-15 (T3D3628). http://www.t3db.ca/toxins/T3D3628 . (accessed February 1, 2018).

⁸ U.S. Department of Health & Human Services. Quaternium-15. https://hpd.nlm.nih.gov/cgi-bin/household/search?tbl=TblChemicals&queryx=4080-31-3 (accessed Febuary 1, 2018).

Feeling Sick?

                    

                            Paracetamol (Acetaminophen):

Figure 1: Tylenol containing Acetaminophen 

Source: Mozart, M. (2014). Tylenol. https://www.flickr.com/photos/jeepersmedia/15939073997 (Accessed February 20, 2018). 

                                                 Doesn't this look familiar? TYLENOL!!

   
                                     "Doctor, I have a fever." → First try taking some Tylenol!

                       "Doctor, I have a headache."  → First try taking some Tylenol!

                   "Doctor, I'm in pain, what to do?" → First try taking some Tylenol! 

Tylenol contains acetaminophen.

What is it?
Acetaminophen is a substance that is used to treat pain, and reduce sickness.3 It is a non-prescription drug, that is widely distributed and available.1

What is it used for?

To relieve and to treat:

• Fevers¹
• Headaches¹
• Pain¹

Used in: 

• Cold and flu medications³
• Cough suppressant medications³
• Allergy medications³
• Stabilization of hydrogen peroxide containing solutions³
• Production of photographic chemicals³

Use or not use?

- Paracetamol is not an anti-inflammatory drug; therefore, it cannot be used for treatment of inflammation like ibuprofen¹

- If quantities consumed are higher than the recommended dose, harmful effects may occur, which can include an overdose, acute liver injury/death, etc¹ 

- However, when used in the specified quantities that are listed, NO harm is caused

MYTHS:

1. Paracetamol stays in the liver for 7 years?

False: Paracetamol naturally leaves your body within 24 hours after consumption. It is completely digested. Remaining there for 7 years? Haha, that’s funny.²  

2. Paracetamol's effects stop working if too much is consumed?

False: There is no evidence that shows that individuals can become so used to consuming paracetamol, that it effects wear off. Nice try but building such a high tolerance isn’t that easy!²

Feeling sick, begin with Paracetamol! Don't believe the myths, Acetaminophen is safe to consume! There is a reason as to why it's widely distributed, and consumed across the world. 

References: 

1.     National Center for Biotechnology Information. PubChem Compound Database; CID =1983, https://pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/compound/acetaminophen#section=Top

(accessed February 20, 2018)

2.     Pan, S. (2017). 5 Things “They All” Say About Paracetamol That Singaporeans Grew Up Believing. http://thesmartlocal.com/read/paracetamol-myths (accessed February 20, 2018)

3.     Schlager, N., Weisblatt, J., Newton, D. (2006). Acetaminophen. Chemical Compounds, (vol. 1) pp. 19-22. http://go.galegroup.com.libproxy.mtroyal.ca/ps/retrieve.do?tabID=T003&resultListType=RESULT_LIST&searchResultsType=SingleTab&searchType=AdvancedSearchForm&currentPosition=1&docId=GALE%7CCX3441700013&docType=Drug+overview&sort=RELEVANCE&contentSegment=&prodId=GVRL&contentSet=GALE%7CCX3441700013&searchId=R1&userGroupName=mtroyalc&inPS=true&authCount=1&u=mtroyalc (accessed February 20, 2018)