ABSTRACT
What is referred to here as the ‘Dirty Dozen’ are harmful chemicals commonly used worldwide in typical households’ cosmetics and personal care products: (1) butylated hydroxyanisole (BHA) and butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT), (2) coal tar dyes: phenylenediamine and colors listed as ‘CI’ followed by a five-digit number, (3) diethanolamine (DEA), (4) dibutyl phthalate (DBP), (5) formaldehyde-releasing preservatives, (6) parabens, (7) parfume (a.k.a. fragrance), (8) polyethylene glycol (PEG) compounds, (9) petroleum (a.k.a. petroleum jelly or Vaseline), (10) siloxanes, (11) sodium lauryl sulfate, and (12) triclosan. In recent years, many reports have raised concerns about several household products containing the aforementioned chemicals. The current chapter offers a comprehensive review of this household dirty dozen, starting from their general descriptions, usages, chemical structures, and mode of action in various applications. Their harmful environmental and health impacts including their toxicities on animals and humans based on multiple exposure pathways are also briefly described. The chapter also focuses on existing regulations that govern the usage of the dirty dozen. These comprehensive details on them could provide valuable insights for safe use and formulate policy to avoid harmful outcomes.
