Polyethylene Glycol 1500
Is it in your toothpaste?
Polyethylene Glycol 1500 toxicology report states:
Skin contact: may irritate
Eye contact: may irritate
Inhalation: irritates
Skin absorption: No information available (!!)
Ingestion: No known harmful effects.
Although not likely to occur through expsoure to Polyethylene Glycol 1500 levels in toothpaste, or personal products use, it is nonetheless worrying to note that the effects of acute exposure range from gastro-intestinal irritation if ingested, along with symptoms such as nausea, vomiting and diarrhea.
In its chemical form, as a powder, beathing in the 'dust' of PEG 1500 may cause nasal and respiratory irritation, fatigue, dizziness, weakness, headaches and even possibly unconsciousness and asphyxiation!
As far as other effects go there is simply just not enough information to record what other health problems might stem from regular daily exposure to even small doses of this chemical... Which is fairly typical of many ingredients routinely and widely used in skin care and body products in general!
Given the known and accepted toxicological properties of Polyethylene Glycol though -- we have to ask -- do you really want to be putting this stuff in your mouth via toothpaste -- or on your hair and body via other personal products?
You can download and read the full details here: Polyethylene Glycol 1500 Material Data Safety Sheet (MSDS)
But is PEG 1500 - Friend or Foe?Polyethylene oxide (PEO) or polyoxyethylene (POE), depending on its molecular weight, and under the tradename Carbowax. It is generally thought of as 'innocuous'.
It is the basis of a number of laxatives (e.g., macrogol-containing products such as Movicol and polyethylene glycol 3350, or SoftLax, MiraLAX or GlycoLax). It widely used in skin creams (as cetomacrogol) and sexual lubricants, frequently combined with glycerin.
Polyethylene glycol with added electrolytes, is also used for 'whole bowel irrigation' as a preparation before surgery, or colonoscopy and also for drug overdoses.
It is sold under the brand names GoLYTELY, GaviLyte-C, NuLytely, GlycoLax, Fortrans, TriLyte, Colyte, Halflytely, MiraLAX, Softlax, ClearLax and MoviPrep.
PEG is used in a number of toothpastes as a dispersant; it binds water and helps keep the gum-based ingredients uniformly spread throughout the toothpaste.
Polyethylene glycol is also used for various other purposes such as:- Ink dissolvent and lubricant for the print heads- Imparting flexibility to polyurethanes for applications such as elastomeric fibers (spandex) and foam cushions- PEG was also one of the main ingredients in Paintball fill because it is thick and flexible - It has also been used to preserve objects that have been salvaged from underwater...
Along with many other diverse uses for what seems to be generally 'accepted' as an inert waxy amterial.
However -- given the tendency of 'interested parties' to prioritize profits over human health, and the acknowledged health risks of handling polyethylene glycol as confirmed in the MSDS sheets -- we are forced to question the need for such a compound at all, as ingredients in products to be applied to the gums and skin -- when it is a known irritant!... And moreover, when there are natural, and safer alternatives available!
(Reference: Wikpedia)Return to the top of the polyethylene glycol 1500 page
