EWG's Guide to Healthy Cleaning | LACTIC ACID

EWG's Guide to
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LACTIC ACID

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COMMONLY FOUND IN

air freshener cleaner, all-purpose/multi-surface cleaner, glass/window cleaner, bathroom, general cleaner, tub/tile/sink cleaner, toilet bowl cleaner, shower cleaner, soap scum remover cleaner, hard water stain/mineral remover dish detergent or soap, baby bottle dish detergent or soap, hand cleaner, carpet cleaner, floor deodorizer, fabric/upholstery/carpet cleaner, oven laundry detergent laundry detergent, he/high efficiency laundry, fabric softener cleaner, barbeque/grill stain remover and deodorizer, pet cleaner, toy cleaner, disinfectant products for babies cleaner, professional laundry detergent, cold water

SYNONYMS

235-EP2316457A1, 235-EP2316825A1, 235-EP2314588A1, 235-EP2314585A1, 235-EP2316458A1, 235-EP2314584A1, LACTIC ACID, PHARMACEUTICAL SECONDARY STANDARD; CERTIFIED REFERENCE MATERIAL, 235-EP2316826A1, 235-EP2314586A1, 235-EP2316459A1

RESTRICTED

EWG VERIFIED products cannot contain this ingredient without adequate substantiation.

Common Concerns

See how this product scores for common concerns.

LOW

Asthma / Respiratory
LOW

Skin Allergies & Irritation
LOW

Developmental & Reproductive Toxicity
LOW

Cancer
LOW

Environment

Top Scoring Factors

Safer ingredient; Low concern for general systemic/organ effects; general ecotoxicity; damage to DNA

Ingredient concerns

CONCERNS

HEALTH AND ENVIRONMENT 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.