Poor Cosmetic Ingredient NOAEL Data GHS Classified SCCS/CIR Reviewed

Ammonium Persulfate

INCI: AMMONIUM PERSULFATE

CAS Number
7727-54-0
Function
Oxidizing Agent, Bleaching Agent
Safety Rating
POOR

Regulatory Status

🇪🇺 EU Status permitted
🇺🇸 US Status permitted
US Notes Not prohibited or specifically restricted by FDA for cosmetic use; 157 ingredient uses reported to FDA VCRP, 151 of which are in hair coloring/lightening products. CIR Expert Panel (2022 Amended Assessment, Int. J. Toxicol.) concluded safe as used as oxidizing agent in rinse-off hair colorants and lighteners; data insufficient to conclude safety in leave-on products and dentifrices.

For full compliance data across 55 jurisdictions, use the Substance Compliance tool.

Safety Data

Margin of Safety (MoS)
not established
Dermal Absorption
low
Sensitization
high

Calculate MoS for your specific formulation with the MoS Calculator.

Toxicological Studies

5 study endpoints found for Ammonium Persulfate. NOAEL (No Observed Adverse Effect Level) values are used to calculate the Margin of Safety per SCCS methodology.

Endpoint Value Route Species Study Type Source
LOAEL 3000 ppm oral rat oral REACH
NOAEL 91 mg/kg bw/day oral - oral REACH
NOAEL 41.1 mg/kg bw/day oral rat oral REACH
NOAEL 131.5 mg/kg bw/day oral rat oral REACH
NOAEL 131.5 mg/kg bw/day oral - oral REACH

GHS Hazard Classification

Globally Harmonized System classification per ECHA C&L inventory and ILO/WHO International Chemical Safety Cards.

Short-term Exposure Effects
The substance is irritating to the eyes, skin and respiratory tract. Inhalation of dust may cause asthma-like reactions.
Long-term Exposure Effects
Repeated or prolonged inhalation may cause asthma. Repeated or prolonged contact with skin may cause dermatitis. Repeated or prolonged contact may cause skin sensitization. May cause a general allergic reaction, such as urticaria or shock.
Routes of Exposure
The substance can be absorbed into the body by inhalation of its aerosol and by ingestion.

Safety Opinions

Official safety assessments from the Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety (SCCS) and Cosmetic Ingredient Review (CIR).

cir
Verdict: unknown
NOAEL: 41.1 mg/kg bw/d (oral)
cir
Verdict: unknown
NOAEL: 131.5 mg/kg bw/d (oral)
cir
Verdict: unknown
NOAEL: 80 mg/kg bw (oral)
cir
Verdict: unknown
NOAEL: 10.3 mg/m3 (inhalation)
cir
Verdict: unknown
NOAEL: 250 mg/kg/d (not specified)

Expert Verdict

High-hazard oxidizing agent with well-documented sensitization and respiratory risks. CIR (2022) concluded safe only in brief-contact rinse-off hair colorants and lighteners; data insufficient for leave-on or dentifrice use. Leading cause of occupational asthma in hairdressers with strongly established skin and respiratory sensitization. EU permits use in hair products without specific concentration cap, but professional and consumer exposure controls are advisable. Not appropriate for leave-on formulations or sensitive/compromised skin.

⚠️
Concern Level: High

Regulatory Flags

oxidizing-agent hair-bleach strong-sensitizer respiratory-sensitizer occupational-asthma-risk contact-urticaria cir-safe-rinse-off-only ewg-unacceptable inorganic-salt insufficient-data-leave-on high-concern fda_food_additive

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Ammonium Persulfate safe in cosmetics?

High-hazard oxidizing agent with well-documented sensitization and respiratory risks. CIR (2022) concluded safe only in brief-contact rinse-off hair colorants and lighteners; data insufficient for leave-on or dentifrice use. Leading cause of occupational asthma in hairdressers with strongly established skin and respiratory sensitization. EU permits use in hair products without specific concentration cap, but professional and consumer exposure controls are advisable. Not appropriate for leave-on formulations or sensitive/compromised skin. The EU classifies Ammonium Persulfate as "permitted". Safety rating: POOR. 5 toxicological study endpoint(s) are available in our database. This ingredient has been reviewed by cir.

Is Ammonium Persulfate allowed in the EU?

Ammonium Persulfate EU regulatory status: permitted. This is based on EU Regulation 1223/2009 and its amendments.

What does Ammonium Persulfate do in cosmetics?

Ammonium Persulfate functions as: Oxidizing Agent, Bleaching Agent. It is classified as a cosmetic ingredient in our database. CAS number: 7727-54-0.

What is the Margin of Safety for Ammonium Persulfate?

not established The Margin of Safety (MoS) is calculated using SCCS methodology. A MoS above 100 is generally considered safe. Use the MoS Calculator tool to calculate MoS for your specific formulation and product category.

What is the NOAEL for Ammonium Persulfate?

The NOAEL (No Observed Adverse Effect Level) for Ammonium Persulfate is 3000 ppm based on a oral study via oral route in rat. A total of 5 study endpoints are available. Source: REACH.

Compliance Tools

Check Ammonium Persulfate compliance across multiple jurisdictions:

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Ingredient Decoder
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82 Allergen Checker
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Substance Compliance
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MoS Calculator
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Heavy Metal Limits
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