ZINC OXIDE (NON-NANO)
Bulking Agent; Colorant; Skin Protectant; Sunscreen Agent
Also listed as
ZINC OXIDE, FLOWERS OF ZINC; PHILOSOPHER'S WOOL; PIGMENT WHITE 4; CI 77947; LOW TEMPERATURE BURNED ZINC OXIDE; ZINC WHITE; ZINC FLOWERS
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: Occupational hazards |
| Other moderate concerns for this ingredient: Persistence and bioaccumulation, Organ system toxicity (non-reproductive) |
| Lesser or emerging concerns for this ingredient: Neurotoxicity, Ecotoxicology, Irritation (skin, eyes, or lungs) |
|
See products containing ZINC OXIDE (NON-NANO) | |
About ZINC OXIDE (NON-NANO): Zinc has a long history of use in sunscreen and other skin care products; little absorption and no adverse health effects are reported. Some sunscreens with zinc contain nanoparticles which do not penetrate skin but may pose toxicity concerns if inhaled or in the environment.
ingredient UV blocking strength
| common sunscreen concentrations |
UV blocking strength |
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5.0% |
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6.6% |
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20.0% |
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22.3% |
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25.0% |
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ZINC OXIDE (NON-NANO) has reported used in the following product types: foundation (457); eye shadow (177); facial powder (156); concealer (129); blush (104); lip liner (103); facial moisturizer/treatment (78); mask (76); diaper cream (69); eye liner (48)
Allergies/immunotoxicity
| type of concern | product conditions | reference |
| Human immune and respiratory toxicant - strong evidence | Association of Occupational and Environmental Clinics | |
| Limited evidence of immune system toxicity | products that may be aerosolized (airborne) | California EPA, Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment |
Cancer
| type of concern | product conditions | reference |
| Possible carcinogen | Environmental Canada Domestic Substance List | |
| show more | ||
Organ system toxicity (non-reproductive)
| type of concern | product conditions | reference |
| Classified as a high human health priority | Environmental Canada Domestic Substance List | |
| Classified as expected to be toxic or harmful | Environmental Canada Domestic Substance List | |
| show more | ||
Persistence and bioaccumulation
| type of concern | product conditions | reference |
| Persistent or bioaccumulative and moderate to high toxicity concern in humans | Environmental Canada Domestic Substance List | |
| Persistent, bioaccumulative in wildlife | Canada PBTs - Accelerated Reduction/Elimination of Toxics (ARET) |
Occupational hazards
| type of concern | product conditions | reference |
| Allowed workplace exposures restricted to low doses | RTECS®- TLV/BEI,2006 | |
| Allowed workplace exposures restricted to low doses | RTECS®- TLV/BEI,2007 | |
| Strong evidence of occupational hazards | products that may be aerosolized (airborne) | Gordon T, Fine JM, 1993 |
| Allowed workplace exposures restricted to moderate doses | RTECS®- TLV/BEI,2005 | |
| Allowed workplace exposures restricted to moderate doses | products that may be aerosolized (airborne) | National Library of Medicine HazMap |
Neurotoxicity
| type of concern | product conditions | reference |
| One or more animal studies show brain and nervous system effects at high doses | RTECS®- Toxicologist 1997 |
Developmental/reproductive toxicity
| type of concern | product conditions | reference |
| One or more animal studies show developmental effects at high doses | Ketcheson MR, Barron GP, Cox DH, 1969 |
Irritation (skin, eyes, or lungs)
| type of concern | product conditions | reference |
| One or more animal studies show skin irritation at moderate doses | RTECS®- "Sbornik Vysledku Toxixologickeho Vysetreni Latek A Pripravku," Marhold, J 1972 |
Ecotoxicology
| type of concern | product conditions | reference |
| Wildlife and environmental toxicity | European Union - Classification & Labelling | |
| show more | ||
Decreased skin absorption
| type of concern | product conditions | reference |
| Limited potential to absorb into the skin. | Gasparro, 1998; Derry, 1983; Labor, 1999; Pirot, 1996; Morgan, 1983; Landsdown, 1997 |
Multiple, additive exposure sources
| type of concern | product conditions | reference |
| Designated as safe for general or specific, limited use in food | FDA Food Additive Status | |
| Designated as safe for general or specific, limited use in food | FDA Everything Added to Food |
Data gaps
| type of concern | product conditions | reference |
| 2,143 studies on toxicity in PubMed see search results -> | PubMed |
Government, industry, academic studies and classifications
| government/industry list/academic study | appears on list as | classification(s) |
| European Union - Classification & Labelling | ZINC OXIDE | •Dangerous for the environment •Very toxic to aquatic organisms |
| FDA Food Additive Status | ZINC OXIDE | • NUTR/DS • GRAS (generally recognized as safe) - use in food presumed safe based either on a history of use before 1958 or on published scientific evidence; need not be approved by the FDA prior to use in food; most have not limit for use but must conform to good manufacturing practices; some GRAS substances have quantitative limit for use in foods; by definition under Sec 201(s) of FD&C Act, not food additives • Food additive: must be in accordance with good manufacturing practices, or sufficient for purpose; or in quantity not greater than required - CFR182.5991; 182.8991 |
| Association of Occupational and Environmental Clinics | ZINC | • Asthmagen sensitizer |
| FDA Color Additive Status | ZINC OXIDE | •Color additive approved by FDA for use in cosmetics •Color additive approved by FDA for cosmetics used around eyes |
| FDA Everything Added to Food | ZINC OXIDE | • Fully up-to-date toxicology information has been sought. |
| Environmental Canada Domestic Substance List | ZINC OXIDE (ZNO) | •This chemical was flagged for further attention by CEPA due to suspected aquatic toxicity and persistence. The chemical was also flagged as a low human health priority. |
| CTFA International Cosmetic Ingredient Dictionary and Handbook | ZINC OXIDE | •Color Additives - Exempt from Batch Certification by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration |
| National Library of Medicine HazMap | ZINC OXIDE | •PEL (OSHA) - Permissible exposure limit (OSHA): 5 mg/m3(fume and respirable dust), 15 mg/m3(total dust); •STEL (ACGIH) - Short-term exposure limits (ACGIH): 10 mg/m3, respirable fraction; •TLV (ACGIH) - Threshold limit value (ACGIH): 2 mg/m3, respirable fraction ; •IDLH (NIOSH) - Immediately Dangerous to Life or Health: 500 mg/m3; •MAK - Maximum Allowable Concentration (Federal Republic of Germany): 1 mg/m3, respirable fraction(fume); |
| Canada PBTs - Accelerated Reduction/Elimination of Toxics (ARET) | ZINC COMPOUNDS | •Persistent toxicant under Canada's Accelerated Reduction/Elimination of Toxics program - targeted for elimination or reduction |
| EPA Toxic Release Inventory PBTs | ZINC COMPOUNDS | •Toxic, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Toxics Release Inventory programs |
| Gasparro, 1998; Derry, 1983; Labor, 1999; Pirot, 1996; Morgan, 1983; Landsdown, 1997 | ZINC OXIDE | Zinc oxide (micronized or ACS grade) is not absorbed by intact or injured skin |
| Gordon T, Fine JM, 1993 | ZINC OXIDE | Zinc inhalation causes metal fume fever, an acute self-limited illness. Zinc oxide is the most common cause. |
| Ketcheson MR, Barron GP, Cox DH, 1969 | ZINC OXIDE | In oral exposure study, 200 mg/kg ZnO induced a complete fetal resorption (100% prenatal death) in all treated dams |
| California EPA, Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment | ZINC COMPOUNDS | •Respiratory toxicity hazards: suspected |
| California EPA, Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment | ZINC COMPOUNDS | •Immunotoxicity hazards: suspected |
| RTECS®- TLV/BEI,2005 | ZINC OXIDE (NON-NANO) | • occupationally related - ACGIH TLV (human TWA) |
| RTECS®- TLV/BEI,2006 | ZINC OXIDE (NON-NANO) | • occupationally related - ACGIH TLV (human TWA) |
| RTECS®- TLV/BEI,2007 | ZINC OXIDE (NON-NANO) | • occupationally related - ACGIH TLV (human TWA) |
| RTECS®- "Sbornik Vysledku Toxixologickeho Vysetreni Latek A Pripravku," Marhold, J 1972 | ZINC OXIDE (NON-NANO) | • sense organ - Primary eye irritant (rabbit ) • skin - Primary skin irritant (rabbit ) |
| RTECS®- Cytology and Genetics (English Translation) 1978 | ZINC OXIDE (NON-NANO) | • mutagenic - Positive mutation assay: Cytogenetic Analysis (rat ihl) |
| RTECS®- Cytology and Genetics (English Translation) 1978 | ZINC OXIDE (NON-NANO) | • mutagenic - Positive mutation assay: Cytogenetic Analysis (rat ihl) |
| RTECS®- Gekkan Yakuji 1980 | ZINC OXIDE (NON-NANO) | • broad systemic - Broad systemic toxicity ( human LDLo) |
| RTECS®- Mutation Research 2008 | ZINC OXIDE (NON-NANO) | • mutagenic - Positive mutation assay: Cytogenetic Analysis ( human oth) |
| RTECS®- Mutation Research 1981 | ZINC OXIDE (NON-NANO) | • mutagenic - Positive mutation assay: DNA Adduct (Escherichia coli ) |
| RTECS®- Mutation Research 1981 | ZINC OXIDE (NON-NANO) | • mutagenic - Positive mutation assay: DNA Adduct (Escherichia coli ) |
| RTECS®- Shigaku 1987 | ZINC OXIDE (NON-NANO) | • mutagenic - Positive mutation assay: Morphological Transform (hamster emb) • mutagenic - Positive mutation assay: Sister Chromatid Exchange (hamster emb) • mutagenic - Positive mutation assay: Unscheduled DNA Synthesis (hamster emb) |
| RTECS®- Shigaku 1987 | ZINC OXIDE (NON-NANO) | • mutagenic - Positive mutation assay: Morphological Transform (hamster emb) • mutagenic - Positive mutation assay: Sister Chromatid Exchange (hamster emb) • mutagenic - Positive mutation assay: Unscheduled DNA Synthesis (hamster emb) |
| RTECS®- Toxicologist 1997 | ZINC OXIDE (NON-NANO) | • brain and nervous system - Changes in motor activity (specific assay) (rat TDLo) |
| RTECS®- Toxicology and Applied Pharmacology 1985 | ZINC OXIDE (NON-NANO) | • mutagenic - Positive mutation assay: Unscheduled DNA Synthesis (guinea pig ihl) |
| RTECS®- Toxicology and Applied Pharmacology 1985 | ZINC OXIDE (NON-NANO) | • mutagenic - Positive mutation assay: Unscheduled DNA Synthesis (guinea pig ihl) |
references
| government/industry list/academic study | reference |
| European Union - Classification & Labelling | CPS&Q (Consumer Products Safety & Quality) formely known as ECB (European Chemicals Bureau). 2008. Classification and Labelling: Chemicals: Annex I of Directive 67/548/EEC through the 31st ATP. |
| 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. |
| FDA Color Additive Status | FDA (U.S. Food and Drug Administration) 2006. Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition. Color Additive Status List. September 2006. |
| 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. |
| CTFA International Cosmetic Ingredient Dictionary and Handbook | CTFA (Cosmetic, Toiletry and Fragrance Association). 2006. International Cosmetic Ingredient Dictionary and Handbook, 11th Edition. Color Additive Information. Washington, DC. |
| National Library of Medicine HazMap | NLM (National Library of Medicine). 2006. HazMap — Occupational Exposure to Hazardous Agents. |
| Canada PBTs - Accelerated Reduction/Elimination of Toxics (ARET) | EC (Environment Canada). 1994. Accelerated Reduction/Elimination of Toxics (ARET). ARET substance list of persistent, bioaccumulative and toxic chemicals. |
| EPA Toxic Release Inventory PBTs | EPA (U.S. Environmental Protection Agency). 1999. Toxics Release Inventory Program. PBT Chemical Rule. |
| Open scientific literature | {Gasparro, 1998; Derry, 1983; Labor, 1999; Pirot, 1996; Morgan, 1983; Landsdown, 1997} |
| Open scientific literature | Gordon T, Fine JM. 1993. Metal fume fever. Occup Med. Jul-Sep;8(3):504-17. Review. |
| Open scientific literature | Ketcheson MR, Barron GP, Cox DH. 1969. Relationship of Maternal Dietary Zinc during Gestation and Lactation to Development and Zinc, Iron and Copper Content of the Postnatal Rat. J Nutr 98: 303-311 |
| Scorecard.org Toxicity Information | California EPA, Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment. Air Toxics Hot Spots Program Risk Assessment Guidelines, Part III: Technical Support Document |
| Scorecard.org Toxicity Information | California EPA, Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment. Air Toxics Hot Spots Program Risk Assessment Guidelines, Part III: Technical Support Document |
| RTECS®- TLV/BEI,2005 | RTECS®- TLV/BEI,2005 |
| RTECS®- TLV/BEI,2006 | RTECS®- TLV/BEI,2006 |
| RTECS®- TLV/BEI,2007 | RTECS®- TLV/BEI,2007 |
| RTECS®- "Sbornik Vysledku Toxixologickeho Vysetreni Latek A Pripravku," Marhold, J 1972 | RTECS®- "Sbornik Vysledku Toxixologickeho Vysetreni Latek A Pripravku," Marhold, J.V., Institut Pro Vychovu Vedoucicn Pracovniku Chemickeho Prumyclu Praha, Czechoslovakia, 1972 -,10,1972 |
| RTECS®- Cytology and Genetics (English Translation) 1978 | RTECS®- Cytology and Genetics (English Translation). Translation of TGANAK. (Allerton Press Inc., 150 Fifth Ave., New York, NY 10011) V.8- 1974- 12(3),46,1978 |
| RTECS®- Cytology and Genetics (English Translation) 1978 | RTECS®- Cytology and Genetics (English Translation). Translation of TGANAK. (Allerton Press Inc., 150 Fifth Ave., New York, NY 10011) V.8- 12(3),46,1978 |
| RTECS®- Gekkan Yakuji 1980 | RTECS®- Gekkan Yakuji. Pharmaceuticals Monthly. (Yakugyo Jihosha, Inaoka Bldg., 2-36 Jinbo-cho, Kanda, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo 101, Japan) V.1- 1959- 22,291,1980 |
| RTECS®- Mutation Research 2008 | RTECS®- Mutation Research. (Elsevier Science Pub. B.V., POB 211, 1000 AE Amsterdam, Netherlands) V.1- 650,39,2008 |
| RTECS®- Mutation Research 1981 | RTECS®- Mutation Research. (Elsevier Science Pub. B.V., POB 211, 1000 AE Amsterdam, Netherlands) V.1- 89,95,1981 |
| RTECS®- Mutation Research 1981 | RTECS®- Mutation Research. (Elsevier Science Pub. B.V., POB 211, 1000 AE Amsterdam, Netherlands) V.1- -1964 89,95,1981 |
| RTECS®- Shigaku 1987 | RTECS®- Shigaku. Ondotology. (Nippon Shika Daigaku Shigakkai, 1-9-20 Fujimi, Chiyodaku, Tokyo 102, Japan) V.38- 74,1385,1987 |
| RTECS®- Shigaku 1987 | RTECS®- Shigaku. Ondotology. (Nippon Shika Daigaku Shigakkai, 1-9-20 Fujimi, Chiyodaku, Tokyo 102, Japan) V.38- 1949- 74,1385,1987 |
| RTECS®- Toxicologist 1997 | RTECS®- Toxicologist. (Soc. of Toxicology, Inc., 475 Wolf Ledge Parkway, Akron, OH 44311) V.1- -1981 36(1,pt2),183,1997 |
| RTECS®- Toxicology and Applied Pharmacology 1985 | RTECS®- Toxicology and Applied Pharmacology. (Academic Press, Inc., 1 E. First St., Duluth, MN 55802) V.1- 1959- 78,29,1985 |
| RTECS®- Toxicology and Applied Pharmacology 1985 | RTECS®- Toxicology and Applied Pharmacology. (Academic Press, Inc., 1 E. First St., Duluth, MN 55802) V.1- 78,29,1985 |
"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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