Evidence
Health issue
Level of Concern
Source
Fabric softeners
Causes severe skin burns and eye damage
Only in: Oven Cleaner; Drain Opener/Clog Remover; Hard Water Stain Remover; Toilet Cleaner; Stove Top Cleaner; Household Cleaners
Causes severe skin burns and eye damage
Only in: Oven Cleaner; Drain Opener/Clog Remover; Hard Water Stain Remover; Toilet Cleaner; Stove Top Cleaner; Household Cleaners
high
EU GHS Hazard Labeling Codes: GHS Hazard Codes
Fabric softeners
Asthmagen (sensitizing)
Asthmagen (sensitizing)
moderate
Association of Occupational and Environmental Clinics (AOEC): AOEC Exposure Code List (2020 Update)
Fabric softeners
Harmful if swallowed
Only in: Household Cleaners
Harmful if swallowed
Only in: Household Cleaners
some
EU GHS Hazard Labeling Codes: GHS Hazard Codes
Fabric softeners
A peer-reviewed publication reports some quaternary ammonium compounds cause reproductive toxicity in animals.
A peer-reviewed publication reports some quaternary ammonium compounds cause reproductive toxicity in animals.
some
Vanessa E. Melin, Travis E. Melin, Brian J. Dessify, Christina T. Nguyen, Caroline S. Shea & Terry C. Hrubec. 2015. Quaternary Ammonium Disinfectants Cause Subfertility in Mice by Targeting both Male and Female Reproductive Processes. Reproductive toxicology (Elmsford, N.Y.).
Fabric softeners
A peer-reviewed publication reports some quaternary ammonium compounds cause reproductive toxicity in animals.
A peer-reviewed publication reports some quaternary ammonium compounds cause reproductive toxicity in animals.
some
Vanessa E. Melin, Haritha Potineni, Patricia Hunt, Jodi Griswold, Bill Siems, Stephen R. Werre & Terry C. Hrubec. 2014. Exposure to common quaternary ammonium disinfectants decreases fertility in mice. Reproductive toxicology (Elmsford, N.Y.) 50, 163-70.
Fabric softeners
Causes severe skin burns and eye damage
Only in: Drain Opener/Clog Remover; Oven Cleaner; Hard Water Stain Remover; Toilet Cleaner; Stove Top Cleaner; Household Cleaners
Causes severe skin burns and eye damage
Only in: Drain Opener/Clog Remover; Oven Cleaner; Hard Water Stain Remover; Toilet Cleaner; Stove Top Cleaner; Household Cleaners
some
EU GHS Hazard Labeling Codes: GHS Hazard Codes
Fabric softeners
NTP Toxcast scored 2.5-3.5
NTP Toxcast scored 2.5-3.5
some
National Toxicology Program (NTP): EWG Toxcast Analysis
Fabric softeners
Toxic of swallowed
Only in: Household Cleaners
Toxic of swallowed
Only in: Household Cleaners
some
European Chemicals Agency (ECHA): GHS Data from ECHA Website
Fabric softeners
Quaternary ammonium compounds detected in human blood was associated with increased inflammation, decreased mitochondrial function and disruption of cholesterol.
Quaternary ammonium compounds detected in human blood was associated with increased inflammation, decreased mitochondrial function and disruption of cholesterol.
some
Terry C. Hrubec, Ryan P. Seguin, Libin Xu, Gino A. Cortopassi, Sandipan Datta, Alexandra L. Hanlon, Alicia J. Lozano, Valerie A. McDonald, Claire A. Healy, Tyler C. Anderson, Najaha A. Musse & Richard T. Williams. 2021. Altered toxicological endpoints in humans from common quaternary ammonium compound disinfectant exposure. Toxicology reports 8, 646-656.
Fabric softeners
Causes serious eye damage
Only in: Household Cleaners
Causes serious eye damage
Only in: Household Cleaners
some
European Chemicals Agency (ECHA): GHS Data from ECHA Website
Fabric softeners
This substance impacted cholesterol biosynthesis.
This substance impacted cholesterol biosynthesis.
some
Josi Herron, Rosalyn C. Reese, Keri A. Tallman, Rohini Narayanaswamy, Ned A. Porter & Libin Xu. 2016. Identification of Environmental Quaternary Ammonium Compounds as Direct Inhibitors of Cholesterol Biosynthesis. Toxicological sciences : an official journal of the Society of Toxicology 151(2), 261-70.
Fabric softeners
Quaternary ammonium compounds altered neurodevelopment in cells.
Quaternary ammonium compounds altered neurodevelopment in cells.
some
Josi M. Herron, Hideaki Tomita, Collin C. White, Terrance J. Kavanagh & Libin Xu. 2021. Benzalkonium Chloride Disinfectants Induce Apoptosis, Inhibit Proliferation, and Activate the Integrated Stress Response in a 3-D in Vitro Model of Neurodevelopment. Chemical research in toxicology 34(5), 1265-1274.