SILICA
Abrasive; Absorbent; Anticaking Agent; Bulking Agent; Opacifying Agent; Suspending Agent- Nonsurfactant
Also listed as
AMORPHOUS SILICA; SILICA, AMORPHOUS; SILICIC ANHYDRIDE; SILICON DIOXIDE; SILICON DIOXIDE, FUMED; SPHERON P-1000; SPHERON PL-700; FUMED SILICON DIOXIDE; ROSE ABSOLUTE; SILICON DIOXIDE; ACCUSAND
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 |
 | Other strong concerns for this ingredient: Persistence and bioaccumulation |
| Other moderate concerns for this ingredient: Organ system toxicity (non-reproductive), Biochemical or cellular level changes |
 | Lesser or emerging concerns for this ingredient: Data gaps |
|
See products containing SILICA | |
About SILICA: Silica is the most common constituent of sand. Fine silica, typically used in industrial applications and inhaled by workers, is associated with a wide range of disorders. In cosmetics for skin use, regular sand presents little, if any risk to people. Because the particles might be finely ground down for use in a product that might be inhaled (such as a facial powder), the inhalation scores reflect the underlying data.
SILICA has reported used in the following product types: foundation (871); lipstick (656); eye shadow (590); sunscreen: makeup (502); lip gloss (386); nail polish (315); facial moisturizer/treatment (285); mascara (269); facial powder (269); concealer (256)
Cancer
| type of concern | product conditions | reference |
| Cancer - strong evidence | products that may be aerosolized (airborne) | Proposition 65 List of Carcinogens |
| Cancer - moderate evidence - Esophageal | products that may be aerosolized (airborne) | CHE Toxicant and Disease Database |
| show more | ||
Allergies/immunotoxicity
| type of concern | product conditions | reference |
| Human immune system toxicant - strong evidence | products that may be aerosolized (airborne) | CHE Toxicant and Disease Database |
| show more | ||
Persistence and bioaccumulation
| type of concern | product conditions | reference |
| Persistent, bioaccumulative in wildlife and humans | products that may be aerosolized (airborne) | National Library of Medicine HazMap |
| Persistent, bioaccumulative in wildlife | products that may be aerosolized (airborne) | National Library of Medicine HazMap |
| show more | ||
Organ system toxicity (non-reproductive)
| type of concern | product conditions | reference |
| Known human respiratory toxicant | products that may be aerosolized (airborne) | CHE Toxicant and Disease Database |
| Known human musculoskeletal toxicant | products that may be aerosolized (airborne) | CHE Toxicant and Disease Database |
| Known human immune system toxicant | products that may be aerosolized (airborne) | CHE Toxicant and Disease Database |
| Possible human renal toxicant | products that may be aerosolized (airborne) | CHE Toxicant and Disease Database |
| Possible human respiratory toxicant | products that may be aerosolized (airborne) | CHE Toxicant and Disease Database |
| Possible human cardiovascular and respiratory toxicant | products that may be aerosolized (airborne) | CHE Toxicant and Disease Database |
| One or more animal studies show respiratory effects at very low doses | products that may be aerosolized (airborne) | RTECS®- Toxicologist 2002 |
| show more | ||
Biochemical or cellular level changes
| type of concern | product conditions | reference |
| Cancer - strong evidence - immune system | products that may be aerosolized (airborne) | CHE Toxicant and Disease Database |
| One or more animal studies show biochemical changes at very low doses where the human health implications are not yet well understood | RTECS®- Toxicologist 2002 |
Data gaps
| type of concern | product conditions | reference |
| Not assessed for safety in cosmetics by industry panel | products that may be aerosolized (airborne) | |
| 8,493 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 |
Multiple, additive exposure sources
| type of concern | product conditions | reference |
| Designated as safe for general or specific, limited use in food | products that may be aerosolized (airborne) | FDA Food Additive Status |
| Designated as safe for general or specific, limited use in food | products that may be aerosolized (airborne) | FDA Everything Added to Food |
Government, industry, academic studies and classifications
| government/industry list/academic study | appears on list as | classification(s) |
| FDA Food Additive Status | SILICON DIOXIDE | • Food additive: anticaking agent • Food additive: food additive for which a petition has been filed and a regulation issued • less than 2.0% by weight of food - Used only in those foods where anticaking effect is demonstrated 172.480 • Food additive: food additive for which a petition has been filed and a regulation issued • less than 2% by weight of feed - In feed and feed components as anticaking or grinding agent - CFR573.940 for use limit • Food additive: permitted as optional ingredient in a standardized food • less than 1.0% by weight of finished food - In dried |
| Association of Occupational and Environmental Clinics | SILICA, AMORPHOUS | • o |
| CHE Toxicant and Disease Database | SILICA | •Strong evidence in humans: immune system toxicity; Condition: autoimmune antibodies (positive ANA, anti-DNA, RF, etc.); Organs/tissues affected: |
| CHE Toxicant and Disease Database | SILICA | •Strong evidence in humans: respiratory system toxicity; Condition: bronchitis - chronic; Organs/tissues affected: lungs |
| CHE Toxicant and Disease Database | SILICA | •Moderate evidence in humans: renal system toxicity; Condition: chronic renal disease; Organs/tissues affected: kidney |
| CHE Toxicant and Disease Database | SILICA | •Moderate evidence in humans: respiratory system toxicity; Condition: COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease); Organs/tissues affected: lungs |
| CHE Toxicant and Disease Database | SILICA | •Limited evidence in humans: musculoskeletal system toxicity, skin toxicity; Condition: dermatomyositis; Organs/tissues affected: muscle, skin toxicity |
| CHE Toxicant and Disease Database | SILICA | •Moderate evidence in humans: gastrointestinal system toxicity; Condition: esophageal cancer; Organs/tissues affected: esophagus |
| CHE Toxicant and Disease Database | SILICA | •Moderate evidence in humans: renal system toxicity; Condition: glomerulonephritis; Organs/tissues affected: kidney |
| CHE Toxicant and Disease Database | SILICA | •Limited evidence in humans: gastrointestinal system toxicity; Condition: granulomatous disease (liver); Organs/tissues affected: liver |
| CHE Toxicant and Disease Database | SILICA | •Limited evidence in humans: immune system toxicity; Condition: immune suppression; Organs/tissues affected: |
| CHE Toxicant and Disease Database | SILICA | •Limited evidence in humans: respiratory system toxicity; Condition: mesothelioma (lung cancer); Organs/tissues affected: lungs |
| CHE Toxicant and Disease Database | SILICA | •Limited evidence in humans: hematologic system toxicity; Condition: myelodysplastic syndrome (pre-leukemia); Organs/tissues affected: bone marrow |
| CHE Toxicant and Disease Database | SILICA | •Limited evidence in humans: gastrointestinal system toxicity; Condition: pancreatic cancer; Organs/tissues affected: pancreas |
| CHE Toxicant and Disease Database | SILICA | •Strong evidence in humans: respiratory system toxicity; Condition: pulmonary fibrosis; Organs/tissues affected: lungs |
| CHE Toxicant and Disease Database | SILICA | •Strong evidence in humans: immune system toxicity; Condition: rheumatoid arthritis; Organs/tissues affected: joints |
| CHE Toxicant and Disease Database | SILICA | •Moderate evidence in humans: respiratory system toxicity; Condition: sarcoidosis; Organs/tissues affected: lungs |
| CHE Toxicant and Disease Database | SILICA | •Strong evidence in humans: musculoskeletal system toxicity, skin toxicity; Condition: scleroderma; Organs/tissues affected: skin, connective tissue |
| CHE Toxicant and Disease Database | SILICA | •Strong evidence in humans: respiratory system toxicity; Condition: silicosis; Organs/tissues affected: lungs |
| CHE Toxicant and Disease Database | SILICA | •Strong evidence in humans: immune system toxicity; Condition: systemic lupus erythematosus; Organs/tissues affected: |
| CHE Toxicant and Disease Database | SILICA | •Moderate evidence in humans: cardiovascular system toxicity; Condition: vasculitis; Organs/tissues affected: blood vessels |
| FDA Everything Added to Food | SILICON DIOXIDE | • Fully up-to-date toxicology information has been sought. |
| Environmental Canada Domestic Substance List | SILICA | •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. |
| National Library of Medicine HazMap | SILICA, AMORPHOUS | •Fibrogenic - Inducing tissue injury and fibrosis (scarring): Yes; •Bioaccumulates: Yes; •TLV (ACGIH) - Threshold limit value (ACGIH): 10 mg/m3, inhal. fraction, 3 mg/m3, respir. fraction(diatomaceous earth uncalcined), 10 mg/m3(precipitated silica, silica gel), 2 mg/m3, respir. fraction(silica fume), 0.1 mg/m3, respir. fraction(silica fused); •IDLH (NIOSH) - Immediately Dangerous to Life or Health: 3000 mg/m3;MA: |
| National Library of Medicine HazMap | SILICA, AMORPHOUS | •Fibrogenic - Inducing tissue injury and fibrosis (scarring): Yes; •Bioaccumulates: Yes; •TLV (ACGIH) - Threshold limit value (ACGIH): 10 mg/m3, inhal. fraction, 3 mg/m3, respir. fraction(diatomaceous earth uncalcined), 10 mg/m3(precipitated silica, silica gel), 2 mg/m3, respir. fraction(silica fume), 0.1 mg/m3, respir. fraction(silica fused); •IDLH (NIOSH) - Immediately Dangerous to Life or Health: 3000 mg/m3;MA: |
| National Library of Medicine HazMap | SILICA, AMORPHOUS | •Fibrogenic - Inducing tissue injury and fibrosis (scarring): Yes; •Bioaccumulates: Yes; •TLV (ACGIH) - Threshold limit value (ACGIH): 10 mg/m3, inhal. fraction, 3 mg/m3, respir. fraction(diatomaceous earth uncalcined), 10 mg/m3(precipitated silica, silica gel), 2 mg/m3, respir. fraction(silica fume), 0.1 mg/m3, respir. fraction(silica fused); •IDLH (NIOSH) - Immediately Dangerous to Life or Health: 3000 mg/m3;MA: |
| National Library of Medicine HazMap | SILICA, AMORPHOUS | •Fibrogenic - Inducing tissue injury and fibrosis (scarring): Yes; •Bioaccumulates: Yes; •TLV (ACGIH) - Threshold limit value (ACGIH): 10 mg/m3, inhal. fraction, 3 mg/m3, respir. fraction(diatomaceous earth uncalcined), 10 mg/m3(precipitated silica, silica gel), 2 mg/m3, respir. fraction(silica fume), 0.1 mg/m3, respir. fraction(silica fused); •IDLH (NIOSH) - Immediately Dangerous to Life or Health: 3000 mg/m3;MA: |
| National Library of Medicine HazMap | SILICA, AMORPHOUS | •Fibrogenic - Inducing tissue injury and fibrosis (scarring): Yes; •Bioaccumulates: Yes; •TLV (ACGIH) - Threshold limit value (ACGIH): 10 mg/m3, inhal. fraction, 3 mg/m3, respir. fraction(diatomaceous earth uncalcined), 10 mg/m3(precipitated silica, silica gel), 2 mg/m3, respir. fraction(silica fume), 0.1 mg/m3, respir. fraction(silica fused); •IDLH (NIOSH) - Immediately Dangerous to Life or Health: 3000 mg/m3;MA: |
| Int'l Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) - Carcinogens | SILICA, AMORPHOUS | •IARC Group 3 (no cancer link) |
| Dossing, M, 1985 | SILICA | •Gastrointestinal or liver toxicity hazards: suspected |
| A Relational Database of Hazardous Chemicals and Occupational Diseases | SILICA | •Respiratory toxicity hazards: suspected |
| Landrigan, P, 1984 | SILICA | •Kidney toxicity hazards: suspected |
| Proposition 65 List of Carcinogens | SILICA | •Cancer hazards: recognized |
| RTECS®- National Technical Information Service 7804 | SILICA | • sense organ - Primary eye irritant (rabbit ) |
| RTECS®- National Technical Information Service 7804 | SILICA | • metabolic - Other changes (rat LDLo) • sense organ - Primary eye irritant (rabbit ) |
| RTECS®- Toxicologist 2002 | SILICA | • biochemical - Effect on inflammation or mediation of inflammation (rat TDLo) • respiratory - Other changes (rat TDLo) |
references
| government/industry list/academic study | reference |
| 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. |
| CHE Toxicant and Disease Database | CHE (The Collaborative on Health and the Environment). 2006. Toxicant and Disease Database. |
| 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. |
| Environmental Canada Domestic Substance List | EC (Environment Canada). 2008. Domestic Substances List Categorization. Canadian Environmental Protection Act (CEPA) Environmental Registry. |
| National Library of Medicine HazMap | NLM (National Library of Medicine). 2006. HazMap — Occupational Exposure to Hazardous Agents. |
| Int'l Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) - Carcinogens | IARC (International Agency for Research on Cancer). 2008. Overall Evaluations of Carcinogenicity to Humans, as evaluated in IARC Monographs Volumes 1-99 (a total of 935 agents, mixtures and exposures). |
| Scorecard.org Toxicity Information | Dossing, M. and P. Skinhoj. Occupational Liver Injury. Present State of Knowledge and Future Perspectives. International Archives of Occupational and Environmental Health. 56:1-21. 1985. (Table 2: Chemically induced liver injury: morphologic features and examples of confirmed and suspected causative agents). |
| Scorecard.org Toxicity Information | A Relational Database of Hazardous Chemicals and Occupational Diseases. Browse Haz-Map by Adverse Effects http://hazmap.nlm.nih.gov/hazmapadv.html; Klaassen, C., M. Amdur and J. Doull (eds.). Casarett and Doull |
| Scorecard.org Toxicity Information | Landrigan, P.J., Goyer, R.A. Clarkson, T.W., Sandler, D.P., Smith, J.H., Thun, M.J., and R. Wedeen. The Work-Relatedness of Renal Disease. Archives of Environmental Health. 39(3): 225-230. 1984. (Table 2: Estimated Numbers of Workers in the United States with Potential Occupational Exposures to Known or Suspect Nephrotoxins). |
| Scorecard.org Toxicity Information | Proposition 65 List of Carcinogens (July 2004) can be obtained from http://www.oehha.ca.gov/prop65/prop65_list/Newlist.html. |
| RTECS®- National Technical Information Service 7804 | RTECS®- National Technical Information Service. (Springfield, VA 22161) Formerly U.S. Clearinghouse for Scientific & Technical Information. OTS0537804 |
| RTECS®- National Technical Information Service 7804 | RTECS®- National Technical Information Service. (Springfield, VA 22161) Formerly U.S. Clearinghouse for Scientific & Technical Information. OTS0537804 |
| RTECS®- Toxicologist 2002 | RTECS®- Toxicologist. (Soc. of Toxicology, Inc., 475 Wolf Ledge Parkway, Akron, OH 44311) V.1- -1981 66,353,2002 |
"RTECS®" is a United States trademark owned and licensed under authority of the U.S. Government, by and through MDL Information Systems, Inc.
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