QUATERNIUM-15
Antistatic Agent; Preservative
Also listed as
N- (3-CHLOROALLYL) HEXAMINIUM CHLORIDE; CHLOROALLYL METHENAMINE CHLORIDE; 1- (3-CHLOROALLYL) -3,5,7-TRIAZA-1-AZONIAADAMANTANE CHLORIDE; METHENAMINE 3-CHLOROALLY LCHLORIDE; METHENAMINE 3-CHLOROALLYLOCHLORIDE; 1- (3-CHLOROALLYL) -3,5,7-TRIAZA-1-AZONIAADAMANTANE CHLORIDE; DOWCO 184; DOWICIDE Q; DOWICIL 100; DOWICIL 75; QUATERNIUM 15
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 |
 | Violations, restrictions & warnings |
 | Allergies/immunotoxicity |
 | Contamination concerns - FORMALDEHYDE |
 | Other moderate concerns for this ingredient: Organ system toxicity (non-reproductive) |
| Lesser or emerging concerns for this ingredient: Neurotoxicity, Endocrine disruption, Irritation (skin, eyes, or lungs), Data gaps |
|
See products containing QUATERNIUM-15 | |
About QUATERNIUM-15: Quaternium-15 is the quaternary ammonium salt.
QUATERNIUM-15 has reported used in the following product types: facial powder (95); mascara (61); facial cleanser (53); baby shampoo (49); body wash/cleanser (48); foundation (42); eye shadow (39); baby soap (35); blush (32); conditioner (30)
Allergies/immunotoxicity
| type of concern | product conditions | reference |
| Known human immune system toxicant | National Library of Medicine HazMap | |
| Human skin toxicant - strong evidence | Cosmetic Ingredient Review Assessments |
Organ system toxicity (non-reproductive)
| type of concern | product conditions | reference |
| Classified as expected to be toxic or harmful | Environmental Canada Domestic Substance List | |
| Classified as medium human health priority | Environmental Canada Domestic Substance List | |
| show more | ||
Developmental/reproductive toxicity
| type of concern | product conditions | reference |
| One or more animal studies show reproductive effects at high doses | RTECS®- Journal of the American College of Toxicology 1986 |
Cancer
| type of concern | product conditions | reference |
| One or more in vitro tests non-mammalian cells show positive mutation results | RTECS®- Environmental and Molecular Mutagenesis 1988 |
Endocrine disruption
| type of concern | product conditions | reference |
| One or more animal studies show endocrine system disruption at high doses | RTECS®- Journal of the American College of Toxicology 1986 |
Neurotoxicity
| type of concern | product conditions | reference |
| One or more animal studies show brain and nervous system effects at high doses | RTECS®- Journal of the American College of Toxicology 1986 |
Irritation (skin, eyes, or lungs)
| type of concern | product conditions | reference |
| One or more animal studies show skin irritation at moderate doses | RTECS®- Journal of the American College of Toxicology 1986 |
Data gaps
| type of concern | product conditions | reference |
| Risk assessment method deficiencies and data gaps - Maximum reported "as used" concentration is basis of safety assessment by industry safety panel (Cosmetic Ingredient Review, CIR) - implicit safe concentration limit in product | Cosmetic Ingredient Review Assessments | |
| 55 studies on toxicity in PubMed see search results -> | PubMed |
Ecotoxicology
| type of concern | product conditions | reference |
| Not suspected to be an environmental toxin | Environmental Canada Domestic Substance List |
Government, industry, academic studies and classifications
| government/industry list/academic study | appears on list as | classification(s) |
| Cosmetic Ingredient Review Assessments | QUATERNIUM-15 | •Safe as used in cosmetics according to industry panel (Cosmetic Ingredient Review, CIR) •Maximum reported "as used" concentration is basis of safety assessment by industry safety panel (Cosmetic Ingredient Review, CIR) - implicit safe concentration limit in product •Sensitizer - can instigate immune system response that can include itching, burning, scaling, hives, and blistering of skin • • |
| National Library of Medicine HazMap | QUATERNIUM-15 | •Skin Sensitizer - An agent that can induce an allergic reaction in the skin or lungs: Yes; |
| EPA Toxic Release Inventory PBTs | CHLORIDE3,5,7TRIAZA1AZONIATRICYCLO[3.3.1.13,7]DECANE, 1(3CHLORO2PROPENYL) | •Toxic, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Toxics Release Inventory programs |
| US EPA, 1788 | 1-(3-CHLOROALLYL)-3,5,7-TRIAZA-1-AZONIAADAMANTANE CHLORIDE | •Cardiovascular or blood toxicity hazards: suspected |
| Environmental Canada Domestic Substance List | 3,5,7-TRIAZA-1-AZONIATRICYCLO[ 3.3.1.13#,7]DECANE, 1-(3-CHLORO-2-PROPENYL)-, CHLORIDE | •This chemical was deemed a moderate human health priority and was flagged by CEPA for further attention. The chemical was flagged for suspected persistence. |
| RTECS®- Environmental and Molecular Mutagenesis 1988 | QUATERNIUM-15 | • mutagenic - Positive mutation assay: Mutation in Micro-organism (Salmonella typhimurium ) |
| RTECS®- Environmental and Molecular Mutagenesis 1988 | QUATERNIUM-15 | • mutagenic - Positive mutation assay: Mutation in Micro-organism (Salmonella typhimurium ) |
| RTECS®- Journal of the American College of Toxicology 1986 | QUATERNIUM-15 | • skin - Primary skin irritant (rabbit ) |
| RTECS®- Journal of the American College of Toxicology 1986 | QUATERNIUM-15 | • reproductive - Eye, ear (rat TDLo) • broad systemic - Broad systemic toxicity (rabbit LD50) • brain and nervous system - Changes in brain weight (rabbit TDLo) • endocrine system - Changes in testicular weight (rabbit TDLo) • liver - Other changes (rabbit TDLo) • skin - Primary skin irritant (rabbit ) |
| RTECS®- Pesticide Chemicals Official Compendium, Association of the American Pesticide Control Officials, Inc 1966 | QUATERNIUM-15 | • broad systemic - Broad systemic toxicity (rat LD50) |
references
| government/industry list/academic study | reference |
| Cosmetic Ingredient Review Assessments | CIR (Cosmetic Ingredient Review). 2006. CIR Compendium, containing abstracts, discussions, and conclusions of CIR cosmetic ingredient safety assessments. Washington DC. |
| 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. |
| Scorecard.org Toxicity Information | US EPA. Addition of Certain Chemicals; Toxic Chemical Release Reporting; Community Right to Know. Proposed and Final Rules. 59 Federal Register 1788 (Jan 12, 1994); 59 Federal Register 61432 (November 30, 1994). Summarized in Hazard Information on Toxic Chemicals Added to EPCRA Section 313 Under Chemical Expansion. http://www.epa.gov/tri/chemical/hazard_cx.htm |
| Environmental Canada Domestic Substance List | EC (Environment Canada). 2008. Domestic Substances List Categorization. Canadian Environmental Protection Act (CEPA) Environmental Registry. |
| RTECS®- Environmental and Molecular Mutagenesis 1988 | RTECS®- Environmental and Molecular Mutagenesis. (Alan R. Liss, Inc., 41 E. 11th St., New York, NY 10003) V.10- 1987- 11(Suppl 12),1,1988 |
| RTECS®- Environmental and Molecular Mutagenesis 1988 | RTECS®- Environmental and Molecular Mutagenesis. (Alan R. Liss, Inc., 41 E. 11th St., New York, NY 10003) V.10- 11(Suppl 12),1,1988 |
| RTECS®- Journal of the American College of Toxicology 1986 | RTECS®- Journal of the American College of Toxicology. (Mary Ann Liebert, Inc., 1651 Third Ave., New York, NY 10128) V.1-12, 1982-1993. Discontinued. 5(3),61,1986 |
| RTECS®- Journal of the American College of Toxicology 1986 | RTECS®- Journal of the American College of Toxicology. (Mary Ann Liebert, Inc., 1651 Third Ave., New York, NY 10128) V.1-12, 1982-1993. Discontinued. 5(3),61,1986 |
| RTECS®- Pesticide Chemicals Official Compendium, Association of the American Pesticide Control Officials, Inc 1966 | RTECS®- Pesticide Chemicals Official Compendium, Association of the American Pesticide Control Officials, Inc., 1966. (Topeka, KS) -,455,1966 |
"RTECS®" is a United States trademark owned and licensed under authority of the U.S. Government, by and through MDL Information Systems, Inc.
Favorites basket
No items in basket.
Skin Deep User Tools BETA
Looking for a product report that we don't have in Skin Deep? Sign up to enter it into the Skin Deep database and leave product reviews.
SKIN DEEP NEEDS YOUR HELP
We always want Skin Deep to be free to the public, but delivering high-quality research costs time and money. Help by donating just the cost of a bar of soap or bottle of shampoo.
WANT TO KNOW MORE?
Stay informed with email updates on toxics in everyday products and how they can affect your health.
MERCURY IN MASCARA!?
It's true. EWG's researchers list the products and ingredients you should avoid in What Not to Buy.