PEG-90M

Binder; Emulsion Stabilizer; Viscosity Increasing Agent - Aqueous  

SCORE

5

moderate hazard to high hazard depending on product usage

8

 

69%

data gap

(why scores have changed)

Also listed as

PEG-90000


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:
yes, weakCancer
yes, moderateDevelopmental/reproductive toxicity
yes, strongRestrictions & warnings
noAllergies/immunotoxicity
yesContamination concerns - ETHYLENE OXIDE, 1,4-DIOXANE
noOther moderate concerns for this ingredient:
Organ system toxicity (non-reproductive)
noLesser or emerging concerns for this ingredient:
Irritation (skin, eyes, or lungs)
 
See products containing PEG-90M

About PEG-90M: PEG-90M is the polymer of ethylene oxide that conforms generally to the formula: where n has an average value of 90000.

PEG-90M has reported used in the following product types: shaving cream (28); styling gel/lotion (16); shaving cream (men's) (16); bar soap (6); body wash/cleanser (5); moisturizer (3); conditioner (3); lubricant/spermicide (1); anti-aging (1); styling mousse/foam (1)


Restrictions & warnings

type of concern product conditions reference
Violation of industry recommendations - Restricted in cosmetics; use, concentration, or manufacturing restrictions - Not safe for use on injured or damaged skin products for use on damaged skin Cosmetic Ingredient Review Assessments
Determined safe for use in cosmetics, subject to concentration or use limitations - Safe for use in cosmetics with some qualifications   Cosmetic Ingredient Review Assessments

Developmental/reproductive toxicity

type of concern product conditions reference
One or more animal studies show reproductive effects at very low doses    RTECS®- Reproductive Toxicology 2006
show more

Organ system toxicity (non-reproductive)

type of concern product conditions reference
One or more animal studies show broad systemic effects at very low doses    RTECS®- Research Progress in Organic-Biological and Medicinal Chemistry 1970
One or more animal studies show broad systemic effects at very low doses    RTECS®- Toxicology and Applied Pharmacology 1970
Classified as expected to be toxic or harmful    Environment Canada Domestic Substance List
Classified as medium human health priority    Environment Canada Domestic Substance List
show more

Cancer

type of concern product conditions reference
One or more in vitro tests on mammalian cells show positive mutation results    RTECS®- Mutagenesis 2002
show more

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
show more

Data gaps

type of concern product conditions reference
1 studies in PubMed science library may include information on the toxicity of this chemical see search results ->   PubMed

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

Persistence and bioaccumulation

type of concern product conditions reference
Not suspected to be bioaccumulative    Environment Canada Domestic Substance List

Ecotoxicology

type of concern product conditions reference
Not suspected to be an environmental toxin    Environment Canada Domestic Substance List



Government, industry, academic studies and classifications

government/industry list/academic study appears on list as classification(s)
Cosmetic Ingredient Review AssessmentsPEG-20M•Safe for use in cosmetics with some qualifications
•Not safe for use on injured or damaged skin
•May contain harmful impurities
Harvell, J, 1994POLYETHYLENE GLYCOL•Skin or sense organ toxicity hazards: suspected
Environment Canada Domestic Substance ListPOLY(OXY-1,2-ETHANEDIYL), _-HYDRO-_-HYDROXY-•This chemical was deemed a moderate human health priority and was flagged by CEPA for further attention. The chemical was flagged for suspected persistence.
IFRA Fragrance Ingredient ListPOLY(OXY-1,2-ETHANEDIYL), .ALPHA;.-HYDRO-.OMEGA;.-HYDROXY-•The chemical has been reported as used in fragrance compounds by IFRA affiliated member companies in 2008.
FDA Food Additive StatusPOLYETHYLENE GLYCOL• Food additive: boiler compound
• Food additive: food additive for which a petition has been filed and a regulation issued
• Food additive: must be in accordance with good manufacturing practices, or sufficient for purpose; or in quantity not greater than required
• In boiler water -173.310
• Food additive: antifoaming (or defoaming) agent
• Food additive: food additive for which a petition has been filed and a regulation issued
• Food additive: must be in accordance with good manufacturing practices, or sufficient for purpose; or in quantity not greater than required
• Comp of defoaming agent -173.340
• CTG
• Food additive: food additive for which a petition has been filed and a regulation issued
• Food additive: must be in accordance with good manufacturing practices, or sufficient for purpose; or in quantity not greater than required
• Ctg on fresh citrus fruits -172.210
FDA Food Additive StatusPOLYETHYLENE GLYCOL• miscellaneous
• Food additive: food additive for which a petition has been filed and a regulation issued
• Food additive: must be in accordance with good manufacturing practices, or sufficient for purpose; or in quantity not greater than required
• Ctg
• binder
• plasticizing agent
• and/or lubricant in tablets used for food
• Adjuvant in nonnutritive sweeteners
• vitamin and mineral preparations
• Ctg for sodium nitrite to inhibit hygroscopic properties - CFR172.820
• ZERO - In milk - CFR172.820; 526.820
Cosmetic Ingredient Review AssessmentsPEG-6•Safe for use in cosmetics with some qualifications
•Not safe for use on injured or damaged skin
•May contain harmful impurities
CIRPEG-6•Ethylene oxide
RTECS®- "Patty's Industrial Hygiene and Toxicology," 3rd rev 1982PEG-90M• broad systemic - Broad systemic toxicity (rabbit LD50)
RTECS®- "Patty's Industrial Hygiene and Toxicology," 3rd rev 1982PEG-90M• broad systemic - Broad systemic toxicity (rat LD50)
RTECS®- "Prehled Prumyslove Toxikologie; Organicke Latky," Marhold, J 1986PEG-90M• sense organ - Primary eye irritant (rabbit )
• skin - Primary skin irritant (rabbit )
RTECS®- "Sbornik Vysledku Toxixologickeho Vysetreni Latek A Pripravku," Marhold, J 1972PEG-90M• sense organ - Primary eye irritant (rabbit )
• skin - Primary skin irritant (rabbit )
RTECS®- "Toxicology of Drugs and Chemicals," Deichmann, W 1969PEG-90M• broad systemic - Broad systemic toxicity (rat LD50)
• skin - Primary skin irritant (rabbit )
RTECS®- American Journal of Ophthalmology 1946PEG-90M• sense organ - Primary eye irritant (rabbit )
RTECS®- American Journal of Ophthalmology 1946PEG-90M• sense organ - Primary eye irritant (rabbit )
RTECS®- Arzneimittel-Forschung 1973PEG-90M• cardiovascular - Arrhythmias (including changes in conduction) (rat LDLo)
• cardiovascular - BP lowering not characterized in autonomic section (rat LDLo)
• kidney or renal system - Hematuria (rat LDLo)
RTECS®- Arzneimittel-Forschung 1976PEG-90M• broad systemic - Broad systemic toxicity (rat LD50)
RTECS®- Arzneimittel-Forschung 1953PEG-90M• kidney or renal system - Other changes (rat LD50)
RTECS®- British Journal of Cancer 1961PEG-90M• cancer - reproductive tumor formations - equivocal (mouse TDLo)
RTECS®- Doklady Biological Sciences (English Translation) 1978PEG-90M• mutagenic - Positive mutation assay: Cytogenetic Analysis (hamster oth)
RTECS®- Doklady Biological Sciences (English Translation) 1978PEG-90M• mutagenic - Positive mutation assay: Cytogenetic Analysis (hamster oth)
RTECS®- Dow Chemical Company Reports 1112PEG-90M• broad systemic - Broad systemic toxicity (rat LD50)
RTECS®- Dow Chemical Company Reports 2203PEG-90M• broad systemic - Broad systemic toxicity (rat LD50)
RTECS®- Dow Chemical Company Reports PEG-90M• broad systemic - Broad systemic toxicity (rat LD50)
RTECS®- Dow Chemical Company Reports PEG-90M• broad systemic - Broad systemic toxicity (rat LD50)
RTECS®- Dow Chemical Company Reports PEG-90M• broad systemic - Broad systemic toxicity (rat LD50)
RTECS®- International Journal of Toxicology PEG-90M• broad systemic - Broad systemic toxicity (rabbit LD50)
RTECS®- International Journal of Toxicology 1999PEG-90M• sense organ - Primary eye irritant (rabbit )
RTECS®- International Journal of Toxicology 1999PEG-90M• sense organ - Primary eye irritant (rabbit )
RTECS®- Journal of Investigative Dermatology 1952PEG-90M• skin - Primary skin irritant ( human )
RTECS®- Journal of Investigative Dermatology 1952PEG-90M• skin - Primary skin irritant ( human )
RTECS®- Journal of Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics 1951PEG-90M• respiratory - Respiratory depression (mouse LD50)
RTECS®- Journal of the American Pharmaceutical Association, Scientific Edition 1945PEG-90M• metabolic - Weight loss or decreased weight gain (rat TDLo)
• kidney or renal system - Changes primarily in glomeruli (rat TDLo)
• liver - Other changes (rat TDLo)
RTECS®- Journal of the American Pharmaceutical Association, Scientific Edition 1950PEG-90M• broad systemic - Broad systemic toxicity (rat LD50)
RTECS®- Kriobiologiya i Kriomeditsina 1978PEG-90M• blood - Change in clotting factors (rabbit LD50)
RTECS®- Mutagenesis 2002PEG-90M• mutagenic - Positive mutation assay: Cytogenetic Analysis (hamster lvr)
RTECS®- Mutagenesis 2002PEG-90M• mutagenic - Positive mutation assay: Cytogenetic Analysis (hamster lvr)
RTECS®- National Technical Information Service PEG-90M• broad systemic - Broad systemic toxicity (mouse LD50)
RTECS®- Proceedings of the European Society of Toxicology 1976PEG-90M• broad systemic - Broad systemic toxicity (rat LD50)
RTECS®- Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America 1975PEG-90M• mutagenic - Positive mutation assay: DNA Damage (other micro-organisms )
RTECS®- Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America 1975PEG-90M• mutagenic - Positive mutation assay: DNA Damage (other micro-organisms )
RTECS®- Reproductive Toxicology 2006PEG-90M• reproductive - Menstrual cycle changes or disorders (rat TDLo)
RTECS®- Research Progress in Organic-Biological and Medicinal Chemistry 1970PEG-90M• broad systemic - Broad systemic toxicity (mouse LD50)
RTECS®- Teratology, The International Journal of Abnormal Development 1996PEG-90M• reproductive - Other effects (rabbit TDLo)
RTECS®- Toxicology and Applied Pharmacology 1970PEG-90M• broad systemic - Broad systemic toxicity (rat LDLo)
RTECS®- Union Carbide Data Sheet 1965PEG-90M• skin - Primary skin irritant (rabbit )
RTECS®- Union Carbide Data Sheet 1965PEG-90M• skin - Primary skin irritant (rabbit )
RTECS®- United States Patent Document 7763PEG-90M• broad systemic - Broad systemic toxicity (rat LD50)
RTECS®- Yaoxue Tongbao 1986PEG-90M• broad systemic - Broad systemic toxicity (mouse LD50)

references

government/industry list/academic study reference
Cosmetic Ingredient Review AssessmentsCIR (Cosmetic Ingredient Review). 2006. CIR Compendium, containing abstracts, discussions, and conclusions of CIR cosmetic ingredient safety assessments. Washington DC.
Scorecard.org Toxicity InformationHarvell, J., M. Bason and H. Maibach. Contact Urticaria and its Mechanisms. Food Chemistry and Toxicology 32(2): 103-112. 1994. (Table 2: Substances identified as capable of causing contact urticaria).
Environment Canada Domestic Substance ListEC (Environment Canada). 2008. Domestic Substances List Categorization. Canadian Environmental Protection Act (CEPA) Environmental Registry.
IFRA Fragrance Ingredient ListIFRA (International Fragrance Assocication). 2010. IFRA Fragrance Ingredient List based on 2008 Use Survey. Accessed online 01/04/2010: http://www.ifraorg.org/Home/News/Latest-News/page.aspx/66?xf_itemId=43&xf_selectionDatapartId=25
FDA Food Additive StatusFDA (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.
Impurities - Open Scientific LiteratureCIR
RTECS®- "Patty's Industrial Hygiene and Toxicology," 3rd rev 1982RTECS®- "Patty's Industrial Hygiene and Toxicology," 3rd rev. ed., Clayton, G.D., and F.E. Clayton, eds., New York, John Wiley & Sons, Inc., 1978-82. Vol. 3 originally pub. in 1979; pub. as 2nd rev. ed. in 1985. 2C,3847,1982
RTECS®- "Patty's Industrial Hygiene and Toxicology," 3rd rev 1982RTECS®- "Patty's Industrial Hygiene and Toxicology," 3rd rev. ed., Clayton, G.D., and F.E. Clayton, eds., New York, John Wiley & Sons, Inc., 1978-82. Vol. 3 originally pub. in 1979; pub. as 2nd rev. ed. in 1985. 2C,3849,1982
RTECS®- "Prehled Prumyslove Toxikologie; Organicke Latky," Marhold, J 1986RTECS®- "Prehled Prumyslove Toxikologie; Organicke Latky," Marhold, J., Prague, Czechoslovakia, Avicenum, 1986 -,1413,1986
RTECS®- "Sbornik Vysledku Toxixologickeho Vysetreni Latek A Pripravku," Marhold, J 1972RTECS®- "Sbornik Vysledku Toxixologickeho Vysetreni Latek A Pripravku," Marhold, J.V., Institut Pro Vychovu Vedoucicn Pracovniku Chemickeho Prumyclu Praha, Czechoslovakia, 1972 -,255,1972
RTECS®- "Toxicology of Drugs and Chemicals," Deichmann, W 1969RTECS®- "Toxicology of Drugs and Chemicals," Deichmann, W.B., New York, Academic Press, Inc., 1969 -,747,1969
RTECS®- American Journal of Ophthalmology 1946RTECS®- American Journal of Ophthalmology. (Ophthalmic Pub. Co., 435 N. Michigan Ave., Suite 1415, Chicago, IL 60611) Series 3: V.1- 1918- 29,1363,1946
RTECS®- American Journal of Ophthalmology 1946RTECS®- American Journal of Ophthalmology. (Ophthalmic Pub. Co., 435 N. Michigan Ave., Suite 1415, Chicago, IL 60611) Series 3: V.1- 29,1363,1946
RTECS®- Arzneimittel-Forschung 1973RTECS®- Arzneimittel-Forschung. Drug Research. (Editio Cantor Verlag, Postfach 1255, W-7960 Aulendorf, Fed. Rep. Ger.) V.1- 1951- 23,1087,1973
RTECS®- Arzneimittel-Forschung 1976RTECS®- Arzneimittel-Forschung. Drug Research. (Editio Cantor Verlag, Postfach 1255, W-7960 Aulendorf, Fed. Rep. Ger.) V.1- 1951- 26,1581,1976
RTECS®- Arzneimittel-Forschung 1953RTECS®- Arzneimittel-Forschung. Drug Research. (Editio Cantor Verlag, Postfach 1255, W-7960 Aulendorf, Fed. Rep. Ger.) V.1- 1951- 3,451,1953
RTECS®- British Journal of Cancer 1961RTECS®- British Journal of Cancer. (Macmillan Press Ltd., Houndmills, Basingstoke, Hants. RG21 2XS, UK) V.1- 1947- 15,252,1961
RTECS®- Doklady Biological Sciences (English Translation) 1978RTECS®- Doklady Biological Sciences (English Translation). Translation of DANKAS: Biological Section. (Plenum Pub. Corp., 233 Spring St., New York, NY 10013) V.112- 1957- 240,228,1978
RTECS®- Doklady Biological Sciences (English Translation) 1978RTECS®- Doklady Biological Sciences (English Translation). Translation of DANKAS: Biological Section. (Plenum Pub. Corp., 233 Spring St., New York, NY 10013) V.112- 240,228,1978
RTECS®- Dow Chemical Company Reports 1112RTECS®- Dow Chemical Company Reports. (Dow Chemical USA, Health and Environment Research, Toxicology Research Lab., Midland, MI 48640) MSD-1112
RTECS®- Dow Chemical Company Reports 2203RTECS®- Dow Chemical Company Reports. (Dow Chemical USA, Health and Environment Research, Toxicology Research Lab., Midland, MI 48640) MSD-2203
RTECS®- Dow Chemical Company Reports RTECS®- Dow Chemical Company Reports. (Dow Chemical USA, Health and Environment Research, Toxicology Research Lab., Midland, MI 48640) MSD-937
RTECS®- Dow Chemical Company Reports RTECS®- Dow Chemical Company Reports. (Dow Chemical USA, Health and Environment Research, Toxicology Research Lab., Midland, MI 48640) MSD-94
RTECS®- Dow Chemical Company Reports RTECS®- Dow Chemical Company Reports. (Dow Chemical USA, Health and Environment Research, Toxicology Research Lab., Midland, MI 48640) MSD-95
RTECS®- International Journal of Toxicology RTECS®- International Journal of Toxicology. (Taylor & Francis, 47 Runway Rd., Suite g, Levittown, PA 19057) V.16- 1997- 18(Suppl
RTECS®- International Journal of Toxicology 1999RTECS®- International Journal of Toxicology. (Taylor & Francis, 47 Runway Rd., Suite g, Levittown, PA 19057) V.16- 1997- 18(Suppl 2),17,1999
RTECS®- International Journal of Toxicology 1999RTECS®- International Journal of Toxicology. (Taylor & Francis, 47 Runway Rd., Suite g, Levittown, PA 19057) V.16- 18(Suppl 2),17,1999
RTECS®- Journal of Investigative Dermatology 1952RTECS®- Journal of Investigative Dermatology. (Williams & Wilkins Co., 428 E. Preston St., Baltimore, MD 21202) V.1- 1938- 19,423,1952
RTECS®- Journal of Investigative Dermatology 1952RTECS®- Journal of Investigative Dermatology. (Williams & Wilkins Co., 428 E. Preston St., Baltimore, MD 21202) V.1- 19,423,1952
RTECS®- Journal of Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics 1951RTECS®- Journal of Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics. (Williams & Wilkins Co., 428 E. Preston St., Baltimore, MD 21202) V.1- 1909/10- 103,293,1951
RTECS®- Journal of the American Pharmaceutical Association, Scientific Edition 1945RTECS®- Journal of the American Pharmaceutical Association, Scientific Edition. (Washington, DC) V.29-49, 1940-60. For publisher information, see JPMSAE. 34,172,1945
RTECS®- Journal of the American Pharmaceutical Association, Scientific Edition 1950RTECS®- Journal of the American Pharmaceutical Association, Scientific Edition. (Washington, DC) V.29-49, 1940-60. For publisher information, see JPMSAE. 39,349,1950
RTECS®- Kriobiologiya i Kriomeditsina 1978RTECS®- Kriobiologiya i Kriomeditsina. Cryobiology and Cryomedicine. (Izdatel'stvo Naukova Dumka, Kiev, USSR) No.1- 1975- 4,71,1978
RTECS®- Mutagenesis 2002RTECS®- Mutagenesis. (Oxford Univ. Press, Pinkhill House, Southfield Road, Eynsham, Oxford OX8 1JJ, UK) V.1- 1986- 17,261,2002
RTECS®- Mutagenesis 2002RTECS®- Mutagenesis. (Oxford Univ. Press, Pinkhill House, Southfield Road, Eynsham, Oxford OX8 1JJ, UK) V.1- 17,261,2002
RTECS®- National Technical Information Service RTECS®- National Technical Information Service. (Springfield, VA 22161) Formerly U.S. Clearinghouse for Scientific & Technical Information. AD628-313
RTECS®- Proceedings of the European Society of Toxicology 1976RTECS®- Proceedings of the European Society of Toxicology. (Amsterdam, Netherlands) V.16-18, 1975-77. Discontinued. 17,351,1976
RTECS®- Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America 1975RTECS®- Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America. (National Academy of Sciences, Printing & Pub. Office, 2101 Constitution Ave., Washington, DC 20418) V.1- 1915- 72,4288,1975
RTECS®- Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America 1975RTECS®- Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America. (National Academy of Sciences, Printing & Pub. Office, 2101 Constitution Ave., Washington, DC 20418) V.1- 72,4288,1975
RTECS®- Reproductive Toxicology 2006RTECS®- Reproductive Toxicology. (Pergamon Press Inc., Maxwell House, Fairview Park, Elmsford, NY 10523) V.1- 1987- 22,263,2006
RTECS®- Research Progress in Organic-Biological and Medicinal Chemistry 1970RTECS®- Research Progress in Organic-Biological and Medicinal Chemistry. (New York, NY) V.1-3, 1964-72. Discontinued. 2,316,1970
RTECS®- Teratology, The International Journal of Abnormal Development 1996RTECS®- Teratology, The International Journal of Abnormal Development. (Alan R. Liss, Inc., 41 E. 11th St., New York, NY 10003) V.1- 1968- 53,111,1996
RTECS®- Toxicology and Applied Pharmacology 1970RTECS®- Toxicology and Applied Pharmacology. (Academic Press, Inc., 1 E. First St., Duluth, MN 55802) V.1- 1959- 16,442,1970
RTECS®- Union Carbide Data Sheet 1965RTECS®- Union Carbide Data Sheet. (Union Carbide Corp., 39 Old Ridgebury Rd., Danbury, CT 06817) 4/13/1965
RTECS®- Union Carbide Data Sheet 1965RTECS®- Union Carbide Data Sheet. (Union Carbide Corp., 39 Old Ridgebury Rd., Danbury, CT 06817) 4/9/1965
RTECS®- United States Patent Document 7763RTECS®- United States Patent Document. (U.S. Patent Office, Box 9, Washington, DC 20231) #4767763
RTECS®- Yaoxue Tongbao 1986RTECS®- Yaoxue Tongbao. Bulletin of Pharmacology. (China International Book Trading Corp., POB 2820, Beijing, Peop. Rep. China) V.13-23, 1978-88. For publisher information, see ZYZAEU. 21,387,1986

"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.

Support EWG

WANT TO KNOW MORE?

Stay informed with email updates on toxics in everyday products and how they can affect your health.

[Privacy policy]
Campaign for Safe Cosmetics

 

MERCURY IN MASCARA!?

It's true. EWG's researchers list the products and ingredients you should avoid in What Not to Buy.