- Research Shows Method to be Precise, Accurate
- Article published in Journal of Surfactants and Detergents, co-authored by American Cleaning Institute
A new study co-authored by the American Cleaning Institute is showcasing a new method to evaluate exceedingly low levels of 1,4-dioxane precisely and accurately in finished cleaning products. The research, “A novel protocol for quantitative determination of 1,4-dioxane in finished cleaning products,” is now available in the Journal of Surfactants and Detergents.
1,4-dioxane is a byproduct that forms during the preparation of ethoxylated surfactants which are used in a variety of commercial products. Concerns about 1,4-dioxane are leading to increased regulations limiting the concentrations of the contaminant to very low levels in products.
The new ACI co-authored research assesses a novel method to quantify 1,4-dioxane in finished cleaning products using a process known as a headspace gas chromatograph with mass spectrometry. The method is shown to have excellent accuracy and precision in assessing levels of 1,4-dioxane in different cleaning products.
The method’s robustness was demonstrated with a ten-laboratory round-robin exercise that showed excellent analytical results from different testing labs. This new method will be valuable to evaluate consumer products impacted by government regulation to limit 1,4-dioxane concentrations in complex matrices.
“The methodology can be trusted to produce effective quantitation of 1,4-dioxane in cleaning products at very low concentrations and even performs well when some modifications to the method were employed,” said Kathleen Stanton, ACI Associate Vice President, Technical & International Affairs, a co-author on the research.
“It is very important that regulations governing levels of 1,4-dioxane in cleaning products utilize accurate, repeatable methodologies to ensure responsible reporting of and compliance with those regulations.”
The American Cleaning Institute® (ACI – www.cleaninginstitute.org) is the Home of the U.S. Cleaning Products Industry® and represents the $60 billion U.S. cleaning product supply chain. ACI members include the manufacturers and formulators of soaps, detergents, and general cleaning products used in household, commercial, industrial and institutional settings; companies that supply ingredients and finished packaging for these products; and chemical distributors. ACI serves the growth and innovation of the U.S. cleaning products industry by advancing the health and quality of life of people and protecting our planet. ACI achieves this through a continuous commitment to sound science and being a credible voice for the cleaning products industry.