D&C VIOLET 2

Colorant  

SCORE

2

low hazard to moderate hazard depending on product usage

5

 

71%

data gap

(why scores have changed)

Also listed as

VIOLET 2, D&C VIOLET NO. 2; 11386 VIOLET; A.F. VIOLET NO. 1; ACID FAST VIOLET 5BN; ACID VIOLET; ACID VIOLET 49; ACID VIOLET 4BNS; ACID VIOLET 5B; ACID VIOLET 5BN; ACID VIOLET 6B; ACID VIOLET S


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, moderateCancer
noDevelopmental/reproductive toxicity
yes, strongViolations, restrictions & warnings
noAllergies/immunotoxicity
noContamination concerns
noOther moderate concerns for this ingredient:
Organ system toxicity (non-reproductive)
 
See products containing D&C VIOLET 2

About D&C VIOLET 2: To identify the colorant allowed for use in Japan, the INCI name Murasaki201 must be used.

This ingredient may be derived from animals. From PETA's Caring Consumer: Pigments from animal, plant, and synthetic sources used to color foods, cosmetics, and other products. Cochineal is from insects. Widely used FD&C and D&C colors are coaltar (bituminous coal) derivatives that are continously tested on animals due to their carcinogenic properties. Alternatives: grapes, beets, turmeric, saffron, carrots, chlorophyll, annatto, alkanet.

D&C VIOLET 2 has reported used in the following product types: nail polish (243); antiperspirant/deodorant (men's) (28); nail treatment (26); fragrance for women (14); fragrance for men (9); body spray (9); body wash/cleanser (8); hair color and bleaching (7); shampoo (6); bubble bath (5)


Violations, restrictions & warnings

type of concern product conditions reference
Violation of government restrictions - Restricted in cosmetics; use, concentration, or manufacturing restrictions - Color additive approved by FDA for use in cosmetics: external use only products for use around the mouth, lips, eyes, or on damaged skin FDA Color Additive Status

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

Data gaps

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

Persistence and bioaccumulation

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

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)
FDA Color Additive StatusD&C VIOLET 2•Color additive approved by FDA for use in cosmetics: external use only
•Color additive not approved by FDA for use in food
•Color additive not approved by FDA for cosmetics used around eyes
FDA Color Additive StatusD&C VIOLET 2•Color additive used in medical devices
Environmental Canada Domestic Substance ListBENZENEMETHANAMINIUM, N-[4-[[4-(DIMETHYLAMINO)PHENYL] [4-[ETHYL[(3-SULFOPHENYL)METHYL]AMINO]PHENYL ]METHYLENE]-2,5-CYCLOHEXADIEN-1-YLIDENE]-N-ETHYL- 3-SULFO-, HYDROXIDE, INNER SALT, SODIUM SALT•This chemical was deemed a high human health priority and was flagged by CEPA for further attention. The chemical is suspected to be carcinogenic and persistent.
Silent Spring's Mammary Carcinogens Reviews DatabaseFD&C VIOLET NO. 1•Chemicals Shown to Cause Mammary Gland Tumors in Animal Studies
RTECS®- Federation Proceedings, Federation of American Societies for Experimental Biology 1957D&C VIOLET 2• cancer - Tumors at site of application (rat TDLo)
RTECS®- Journal of the National Cancer Institute 1973D&C VIOLET 2• sense organ - Other (rat TDLo)
• mutagenic - skin tumors (rat TDLo)
RTECS®- Mutation Research 1981D&C VIOLET 2• mutagenic - Positive mutation assay: Mutation in Micro-organism (Salmonella typhimurium )
RTECS®- Mutation Research 1981D&C VIOLET 2• mutagenic - Positive mutation assay: Mutation in Micro-organism (Salmonella typhimurium )

references

government/industry list/academic study reference
FDA Color Additive StatusFDA (U.S. Food and Drug Administration) 2006. Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition. Color Additive Status List. September 2006.
Environmental Canada Domestic Substance ListEC (Environment Canada). 2008. Domestic Substances List Categorization. Canadian Environmental Protection Act (CEPA) Environmental Registry.
Silent Spring's Mammary Carcinogens Reviews DatabaseRudel RA, KR Attfield, JN Schifano and JG Brody. Chemicals Causing Mammary Gland Tumors in Animals Signal New Directions for Epidemiology, Chemicals Testing, and Risk Assessment for Breast Cancer Prevention. CANCER Supplement. 2007 Jun 15;109(12):2635-2666.
RTECS®- Federation Proceedings, Federation of American Societies for Experimental Biology 1957RTECS®- Federation Proceedings, Federation of American Societies for Experimental Biology. (Bethesda, MD) V.1-46, 1942-87. 16,367,1957
RTECS®- Journal of the National Cancer Institute 1973RTECS®- Journal of the National Cancer Institute. (Washington, DC) V.1-60, 1940-78. For publisher information, see JJIND8. 51,1337,1973
RTECS®- Mutation Research 1981RTECS®- Mutation Research. (Elsevier Science Pub. B.V., POB 211, 1000 AE Amsterdam, Netherlands) V.1- 89,21,1981
RTECS®- Mutation Research 1981RTECS®- Mutation Research. (Elsevier Science Pub. B.V., POB 211, 1000 AE Amsterdam, Netherlands) V.1- -1964 89,21,1981

"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]

 

JOIN THE CAMPAIGN

Find out more about the Campaign for Safe Cosmetics.