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LACTIC ACID

 

Restricted: EWG VERIFIED products cannot contain this ingredient without adequate substantiation.

Asthma/Respiratory
 
No Concern
 
Skin Allergies &
Irritation
 
No Concern
 
Developmental &
Reproductive Toxicity
 
No Concern
 
Cancer
 
No Concern
 
Environment
 
No Concern
 
Top scoring factors: Safer ingredient; Low concern for general systemic/organ effects; general ecotoxicity; damage to DNA
LACTIC ACID can be found in 111 products.
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Evidence

Health issue
 
Level of Concern
 
Source
NTP Toxcast scored 1.5-2.5
 
some
 
National Toxicology Program (NTP): EWG Toxcast Analysis
A U.S. Environmental Protection Agency review of lactic acid indicates it is not a skin sensitizer.
 
low
 
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). 2008. Summary of Human Health Effects Data for the L-Lactic Acid Registration Review Decision Document.
European Union Ecolabel program data shows this substance has moderate acute toxicity to aquatic life
Only in: Household Cleaners
 
low
 
EU Ecolabel: Detergents Ingredients Database
This substance is Generally Recognized as Safe (GRAS) as a food additive by the US Food and Drug Administration
Only in: Household Cleaners
 
low
 
U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA): FDA - Priority based Assessment of Food Additive (PAFA)
EPA's review of industry submitted toxicity data and the potential for human exposure concludes that this substance poses a low risk for human health.
Only in: Household Cleaners
 
low
 
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA): EPA Hazard-Based Prioritizations - Risks
The European Union Ecolabel program reports this substance is readily biodegradable.
 
low
 
EU Ecolabel: Detergents Ingredients Database
The European Union Ecolabel program reports this substance is anaerobically degradable.
 
low
 
EU Ecolabel: Detergents Ingredients Database
A U.S. Environmental Protection Agency review of lactic acid indicates it has low acute oral toxicity.
 
low
 
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). 2008. Summary of Human Health Effects Data for the L-Lactic Acid Registration Review Decision Document.
A U.S. Environmental Protection Agency review of lactic acid indicates it has low acute inhalation toxicity.
 
low
 
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). 2008. Summary of Human Health Effects Data for the L-Lactic Acid Registration Review Decision Document.
A U.S. Environmental Protection Agency review of lactic acid indicates it has low acute dermal toxicity at concentrations relevant to cleaners.
 
low
 
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). 2008. Summary of Human Health Effects Data for the L-Lactic Acid Registration Review Decision Document.
A U.S. Environmental Protection Agency review of lactic acid suggests that it is not mutagenic due to its widespread natural occurrence.
 
low
 
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). 2008. Summary of Human Health Effects Data for the L-Lactic Acid Registration Review Decision Document.
benign, health
 
low
 
Environmental Working Group. 2012. Established innocuous properties.
benign, environment
 
low
 
Environmental Working Group. 2012. Established innocuous properties.
 
 
About the ratings About the ratings
EWG provides information on cleaning product ingredients from the published scientific... continue reading →
EWG provides information on cleaning product ingredients from published scientific literature, to supplement incomplete data available from companies and the government. The ratings indicate the relative level of concern posed by exposure to the ingredients in this product - not the product itself - compared to other product formulations. The ratings reflect potential health hazards but do not account for the level of exposure or individual susceptibility, factors that determine actual health risks, if any. (Hide)
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