MICA
Colorant; OPACIFYING
Also listed as
CI 77019; GOLDEN MICA; MUSCOVITE MICA; PIGMENT WHITE 20; SERICITE; SERICITE GMS-C; SERICITE GMS-2C; SERICITE MK-A; SERICITE MK-B; MICAGROUP MINERALS; SOAPSTONE
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, Occupational hazards |
 | Other moderate concerns for this ingredient: Organ system toxicity (non-reproductive) |
|
See products containing MICA | |
About MICA: Mica is a series of silicate minerals of varying chemical composition but with similar physicalproperties. Mica has well-defined cleavage, and splits into very thin sheets. See "Regulatory andIngredient Use Information," for Colorants in Volu me 1, Introduction, Part A. To identify the colorantmeeting the requirements for labeling purposes in the US, the INCI Name Mica 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.
MICA has reported used in the following product types: lipstick (1094); eye shadow (1082); foundation (1046); lip gloss (696); blush (487); facial powder (485); sunscreen: makeup (461); nail polish (454); eye liner (451); mascara (306)
Persistence and bioaccumulation
| type of concern | product conditions | reference |
| Persistent, bioaccumulative in wildlife and humans | National Library of Medicine HazMap | |
| Persistent, bioaccumulative in wildlife | National Library of Medicine HazMap | |
| show more | ||
Occupational hazards
| type of concern | product conditions | reference |
| Allowed workplace exposures restricted to low doses | RTECS®- TLV/BEI,2005 | |
| Allowed workplace exposures restricted to low doses | RTECS®- TLV/BEI,2006 | |
| Allowed workplace exposures restricted to low doses | RTECS®- TLV/BEI,2007 |
Organ system toxicity (non-reproductive)
| type of concern | product conditions | reference |
| Possible human respiratory toxicant | CHE Toxicant and Disease Database | |
| show more | ||
Allergies/immunotoxicity
| type of concern | product conditions | reference |
| One or more animal studies show gastrointestinal effects at moderate doses | CHE Toxicant and Disease Database |
Data gaps
| type of concern | product conditions | reference |
| 257 studies in PubMed science library may include information on the toxicity of this chemical 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) |
| CHE Toxicant and Disease Database | MICA | •Limited evidence in humans: gastrointestinal system toxicity; Condition: granulomatous disease (liver); Organs/tissues affected: liver |
| CHE Toxicant and Disease Database | MICA | •Moderate evidence in humans: respiratory system toxicity; Condition: pleural disease (effusions, plaques, thickening); Organs/tissues affected: lungs |
| FDA Color Additive Status | MICA | •Color additive approved by FDA for use in cosmetics •Color additive approved by FDA for cosmetics used around eyes |
| Environmental Canada Domestic Substance List | MICA-GROUP MINERALS | •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. |
| CTFA International Cosmetic Ingredient Dictionary and Handbook | MICA | •Color Additives - Exempt from Batch Certification by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration |
| National Library of Medicine HazMap | MICA, RESPIRABLE DUST | •Fibrogenic - Inducing tissue injury and fibrosis (scarring): Yes; •Bioaccumulates: Yes; •TLV (ACGIH) - Threshold limit value (ACGIH): 3 mg/m3, respirable fraction; •IDLH (NIOSH) - Immediately Dangerous to Life or Health: 1500 mg/m3; |
| Dossing, 1995 | MICA | •Gastrointestinal or liver toxicity hazards: suspected |
| RTECS®- TLV/BEI,2005 | MICA | • occupationally related - ACGIH TLV (human TWA) |
| RTECS®- TLV/BEI,2006 | MICA | • occupationally related - ACGIH TLV (human TWA) |
| RTECS®- TLV/BEI,2007 | MICA | • occupationally related - ACGIH TLV (human TWA) |
references
| government/industry list/academic study | reference |
| CHE Toxicant and Disease Database | CHE (The Collaborative on Health and the Environment). 2006. Toxicant and Disease Database. |
| 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. |
| 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. |
| Scorecard.org Toxicity Information | Dossing, 1995 |
| 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®" is a United States trademark owned and licensed under authority of the U.S. Government, by and through MDL Information Systems, Inc.
Copyright © 2010 by Environmental Working Group
All rights reserved.
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.
SKIN DEEP NEWS
'I just wanted to let you know how much Skin Deep has changed my daughter's (and my) life.'
—Melissa M., Michigan