VICKS VAPORUB OINTMENT
last updated: 05/01/06 brand: Vicks by Procter & Gamble
COMPANY POLICIES
Compact for Safe Cosmetics
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Animal Testing Policy |
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 one or more ingredients in this product -- not the product itself -- 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.
Ingredients in this product are linked to: | |
 | Cancer |
| Developmental/reproductive toxicity |
 | Violations, restrictions & warnings |
| Allergies/immunotoxicity |
| Other concerns for ingredients used in this product: Neurotoxicity, Organ system toxicity (non-reproductive), Multiple, additive exposure sources, Irritation (skin, eyes, or lungs), Enhanced skin absorption, Contamination concerns, Occupational hazards |
Ingredients from packaging: ACTIVE INGREDIENTS: CAMPHOR 4.8%; EUCALYPTUS OIL 1.2%; MENTHOL 2.6%. INACTIVE INGREDIENTS: CEDARLEAF OIL; NUTMEG OIL; SPECIAL PETROLATUM; THYMOL; TURPENTINE OIL.
Directions from packaging: Under 2 years: ask a doctor. Adults and children 2 years and older: Rub a thick layer on chest & throat or rub on sore aching muscles. If desired, cover with a dry soft cloth but keep clothing loose. Repeat up to 3 times daily. See important warnings about not using near flame, in hot water, or in a microwave oven. Improper use may cause the mixture to splatter and cause burns.
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ingredients
| score | data gap | concerns | |
| TURPENTINE OIL | 7 | 63% | Allergies/immunotoxicity, Organ system toxicity (non-reproductive), Multiple, additive exposure sources, Irritation (skin, eyes, or lungs), Occupational hazards |
| THYMOL | 6 | 63% | Violations, restrictions & warnings, Neurotoxicity, Organ system toxicity (non-reproductive), Enhanced skin absorption, Occupational hazards |
| CAMPHOR (Active Ingredient) | 4 | 69% | Violations, restrictions & warnings, Neurotoxicity, Organ system toxicity (non-reproductive), Occupational hazards |
| PETROLATUM | 1 | 92% | Contamination concerns (PAHS) |
| MENTHOL (Active Ingredient) | 2 | 85% | Multiple, additive exposure sources |
| THUJA OCCIDENTALIS (ARBORVITAE) LEAF OIL CEDARLEAF OIL | 2 | 88% | Multiple, additive exposure sources, Irritation (skin, eyes, or lungs) |
| NUTMEG OIL | 1 | 90% | Irritation (skin, eyes, or lungs) |
| EUCALYPTUS GLOBULUS (TASMANIAN BLUE GUM) OIL EUCALYPTUS OIL (Active Ingredient) | 0 | 100% | none identified |
Cancer*
*This table includes all possible cancer concerns for the ingredients used by this manufacturer. Some categorizations depend on how the product is used or formulated.
| type of concern | product conditions | ingredient(s) |
| One or more animal studies show tumor formation at high doses | TURPENTINE OIL | |
| One or more in vitro tests on mammalian cells show positive mutation results | THYMOL, MENTHOL, CAMPHOR |
Developmental/reproductive toxicity*
*This table includes all possible developmental/reproductive toxicity concerns for the ingredients used by this manufacturer. Some categorizations depend on how the product is used or formulated.
| type of concern | product conditions | ingredient(s) |
| One or more animal studies show reproductive effects at moderate doses | THYMOL |
Violations, restrictions & warnings*
*This table includes all possible violations, restrictions & warnings concerns for the ingredients used by this manufacturer. Some categorizations depend on how the product is used or formulated.
| type of concern | product conditions | ingredient(s) |
| Determined safe for use in cosmetics, subject to concentration or use limitations - Safe for use in cosmetics with some qualifications | THYMOL | |
| Restricted in cosmetics (recommendations or requirements) - use, concentration, or manufacturing restrictions - Use is restricted in Canadian cosmetics | CAMPHOR, THYMOL |
Neurotoxicity*
*This table includes all possible neurotoxicity concerns for the ingredients used by this manufacturer. Some categorizations depend on how the product is used or formulated.
| type of concern | product conditions | ingredient(s) |
| One or more animal studies show brain and nervous system effects at high doses | NUTMEG OIL | |
| One or more animal studies show brain and nervous system effects at moderate doses | TURPENTINE OIL, MENTHOL | |
| One or more animal studies show brain and nervous system effects at low doses | THYMOL, CAMPHOR |
Endocrine disruption*
*This table includes all possible endocrine disruption concerns for the ingredients used by this manufacturer. Some categorizations depend on how the product is used or formulated.
| type of concern | product conditions | ingredient(s) |
| One or more animal studies show endocrine disruption at moderate doses | THYMOL |
Allergies/immunotoxicity*
*This table includes all possible allergies/immunotoxicity concerns for the ingredients used by this manufacturer. Some categorizations depend on how the product is used or formulated.
| type of concern | product conditions | ingredient(s) |
| Known human immune system toxicant | TURPENTINE OIL |
Organ system toxicity (non-reproductive)*
*This table includes all possible organ system toxicity (non-reproductive) concerns for the ingredients used by this manufacturer. Some categorizations depend on how the product is used or formulated.
| type of concern | product conditions | ingredient(s) |
| One or more animal studies show broad systemic effects at moderate doses (low dose studies may be unavailable for this ingredient) | THUJA OCCIDENTALIS (ARBORVITAE) LEAF OIL, MENTHOL | |
| Classified as toxic or harmful | products for use on skin; products for use around the mouth; products for use on the lips; products that may be aerosolized (airborne) | TURPENTINE OIL |
| One or more animal studies show gastrointestinal effects at low doses | CAMPHOR, THYMOL |
Multiple, additive exposure sources*
*This table includes all possible multiple, additive exposure sources concerns for the ingredients used by this manufacturer. Some categorizations depend on how the product is used or formulated.
| type of concern | product conditions | ingredient(s) |
| Designated as safe for general or specific, limited use in food | TURPENTINE OIL, THYMOL, PETROLATUM, NUTMEG OIL, MENTHOL, CAMPHOR | |
| Used in food or as an additive with limited or no toxicity information available | TURPENTINE OIL, THUJA OCCIDENTALIS (ARBORVITAE) LEAF OIL, MENTHOL |
Ecotoxicology*
*This table includes all possible ecotoxicology concerns for the ingredients used by this manufacturer. Some categorizations depend on how the product is used or formulated.
| type of concern | product conditions | ingredient(s) |
| Wildlife and environmental toxicity | TURPENTINE OIL, THYMOL |
Irritation (skin, eyes, or lungs)*
*This table includes all possible irritation (skin, eyes, or lungs) concerns for the ingredients used by this manufacturer. Some categorizations depend on how the product is used or formulated.
| type of concern | product conditions | ingredient(s) |
| One or more animal studies show skin irritation at moderate doses | MENTHOL | |
| One or more animal studies show skin irritation at low doses | THUJA OCCIDENTALIS (ARBORVITAE) LEAF OIL, NUTMEG OIL | |
| Classified as irritant | TURPENTINE OIL | |
| One or more animal studies show skin irritation at moderate doses | THYMOL |
Data gaps*
*This table includes all possible data gaps concerns for the ingredients used by this manufacturer. Some categorizations depend on how the product is used or formulated.
| type of concern | product conditions | ingredient(s) |
| Not assessed for safety in cosmetics by industry panel | CAMPHOR, EUCALYPTUS GLOBULUS (TASMANIAN BLUE GUM) OIL, MENTHOL, NUTMEG OIL, PETROLATUM, THUJA OCCIDENTALIS (ARBORVITAE) LEAF OIL, TURPENTINE OIL | |
| Missing safety data noted by cosmetic industry review | THYMOL |
Occupational hazards*
*This table includes all possible occupational hazards concerns for the ingredients used by this manufacturer. Some categorizations depend on how the product is used or formulated.
| type of concern | product conditions | ingredient(s) |
| Allowed workplace exposures restricted to low doses | THYMOL, TURPENTINE OIL | |
| Allowed workplace exposures restricted to moderate doses | CAMPHOR |
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