Is Chlorine Dioxide safe in cosmetics?
Chlorine Dioxide has a safety rating of "POOR" in our database. EU status: permitted. US status: restricted. 10 toxicological study endpoint(s) are available in our database.
Chlorine Dioxide
Also known as: Alcide, Chlorine dioxide (OClO), Clidox, Clidox-S, Diklor (+15 more)
INCI: CHLORINE DIOXIDE
Chlorine Dioxide (CAS 10049-04-4) is a cosmetic cosmetic ingredient functioning as Antimicrobial, oxidizing agent (primarily industrial water treatment; niche. Reported NOAEL 0.5 mg/kg bw/day in rat (COSMOS DB); EU Regulation 1223/2009 status: permitted. Industrial safety data is also available in the chemical safety database. Same-CAS public records also appear in industrial chemical safety and food safety data.
View industrial chemical safety profile for CAS 10049-04-4 →
Auto-generated CPSR Part A draft with source citations
Cross-Vertical Regulatory Divergence
Chlorine Dioxide is classified GHS Danger (H270, H280, H301, H314, H318, H319, H330, H332) in the chemicals database but is allowed in EU cosmetics.
Source: Cosmetics: ingredients.eu status; Chemicals: ghs classifications.signal word/hazard statement code
Function
Antimicrobial, oxidizing agent (primarily industrial water treatment; niche cosmetic use in oral care)
Safety Rating
POOR
Chemistry & Identifiers
InChIKey
OSVXSBDYLRYLIG-UHFFFAOYSA-N
Regulatory Status
EU EU Status
permitted
US US Status
restricted
US Notes
FDA approved as water disinfectant but not specifically approved as cosmetic ingredient. FDA has warned against consumer products marketed with ClO2 claims.
For full compliance data across multiple jurisdictions, use the Substance Compliance tool.
Safety Data
Margin of Safety, dermal absorption, and sensitization profile summaries for Chlorine Dioxide.
Calculate MoS for your specific formulation with the MoS Calculator.
Toxicological Studies
10 study endpoints found for Chlorine Dioxide. 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| NOAEL | 0.5 mg/kg bw/day | oral | rat | Special Toxicology Study | COSMOS DB |
| NOAEL | 1.9 mg/kg bw/day | oral | rat | Subchronic | COSMOS DB |
| NOAEL | 5 mg/kg bw/day | oral | rat | Special Toxicology Study | COSMOS DB |
| NOAEL | 6.8 mg/kg bw/day | oral | rat | Carcinogenicity | COSMOS DB |
| NOAEL | 10 mg/kg bw/day | oral | rat | Reproductive | COSMOS DB |
| NOAEL | 12 mg/kg bw/day | oral | rat | Developmental | COSMOS DB |
| NOAEL | 14 mg/kg bw/day | oral | rat | Short Term Toxicity | COSMOS DB |
| NOAEL | 25 mg/kg bw/day | oral | mouse | Short Term Toxicity | COSMOS DB |
| NOAEL | =5 mg/kg bw/day | oral | Rat | reproduction developmental | ECHA |
| NOAEL | =10 mg/kg bw/day | oral | Rat | reproduction developmental | ECHA |
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 severely irritating to the eyes, skin and respiratory tract. Inhalation of this gas may cause lung oedema. See Notes. Exposure far above the OEL could cause death. The effects may be delayed. Medical observation is indicated.
Long-term Exposure Effects
The substance may have effects on the lungs. This may result in chronic bronchitis.
Routes of Exposure
The substance can be absorbed into the body by inhalation.
EPA ToxValDB — Toxicity Values
10 toxicity values from EPA ToxValDB (aggregated from CCTE, HPV, ToxRefDB, IRIS, and other regulatory dossiers).
| Endpoint | Value | Species | Route | Duration | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| LOAEL | >10 mg/kg-day | Rat | oral | - | ECHA |
| LOAEL | >10 mg/kg-day | Rat | oral | - | ECHA |
| NOAEL | =5 mg/kg-day | Rat | oral | - | ECHA |
| RfD | =0.03 mg/kg-day | Human | oral | - | OW Drinking Water Standards |
| MRL | =0.00275871 mg/m3 | Human | inhalation | - | ATSDR MRLs |
| LOAEL | =2.7587 mg/m3 | Rat | inhalation | subchronic | Cal OEHHA REL derivations |
| LC50 | =48 mg/m3 | Rat | inhalation | - | ECHA |
| LC50 | =40 mg/m3 | Rat | inhalation | - | ECHA |
| LC50 | =41 mg/m3 | Rat | inhalation | - | ECHA |
| LC50 | =89 mg/m3 | Rat | inhalation | - | ECHA |
EU CLP Annex VI Harmonized Classification
Legally binding harmonized classification per Regulation (EC) No 1272/2008 (CLP) Annex VI.
Signal Word
Danger
Pictograms
OxidiserCompressed GasAcute ToxicityCorrosiveEnvironmental Hazard
Hazard Class and Category
Ox. Gas 1; Press. Gas; Acute Tox. 2 *; Skin Corr. 1B; Aquatic Acute 1
Hazard Statements
- H270 May cause or intensify fire; oxidiser
- H330 Fatal if inhaled
- H314 Causes severe skin burns and eye damage
- H400 Very toxic to aquatic life
Specific Concentration Limits / M-factors
M = 10
Inserted via ATP: ATP01corr
ECHA REACH Registration
European Chemicals Agency REACH dossier and Substances of Very High Concern listing.
Registration Type
Full
Tonnage Band
10,000,000 - 100,000,000 tonnes
Substance Type
SUBSTANCE
SVHC Candidate
No
Hazard classification: Restricted (Annex XVII)
PubChem Annotations
Safety and regulatory annotations from PubChem (NCBI) aggregated sources.
Safety (4)
Evidence for Carcinogenicity
CLASSIFICATION: D; not classifiable as to human carcinogenicity. BASIS FOR CLASSIFICATION: No satisfactory human or animal studies assessing the chronic carcinogenic potential of chlorine dioxide have been located. HUMAN CARCINOGENICITY DATA: None. ANIMAL CARCINOGENICITY DATA: None.
Source: Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)
Endocrine Disruptors
Potential endocrine disrupting compound
Source: NORMAN Suspect List Exchange
ICSC Safety Card
0127
Source: WHO/JECFA
Skin Eye Respiratory Irritation
An eye irritant. | Potential symptoms of overexposure are irritation of eyes, nose, and throat; coughing, wheezing, bronchitis, pulmonary edema; chronic bronchitis. | ... Irritation of the eyes ... respiratory irritation. | May cause irritation of the eyes, nose, and throat. ...
Source: Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)
Regulatory (1)
JECFA Evaluation
CHLORINE DIOXIDE | 1963 | NMRS 35/TRS 281-JECFA 7/159 | NMRS 35/TRS 281-JECFA 7/159
Source: WHO/JECFA
Function Categories & List Membership
Cosmetic/Chemical Function Categories
Biocide
Deodorizer
Food preservative
Regulatory List Membership (1)
FDA Substances Added to Food (EAFUS)
Expert Verdict
Expert safety assessment and concern-level summary for Chlorine Dioxide.
Regulatory Flags
endocrine_disruptor
fda_food_additive
NOAEL Studies Summary
View details ->Public NOAEL study rows linked to Chlorine Dioxide by CAS number or substance name.
Studies
10
Lowest NOAEL
0.5 mg/kg bw/day
Highest NOAEL
25 mg/kg bw/day
COSMOS DB
ECHA
Known Synonyms
Alcide
Chlorine dioxide (OClO)
Clidox
Clidox-S
Diklor
Doxcide 50
FermaSure
Luxianfeng
Oslon
Oxine
Oxine (bactericide)
Purite
RetarDEX
RetarDEX (oxidizing agent)
Selectrocide
Vibrex
ClO2
Chlorine oxide (ClO2)
Caswell No. 179A
Chlorine(IV) oxide
Chemical Function
Biocide
Deodorizer
Food preservative
Regulatory Lists
active_ingredient; Pesticides
active_ingredient; Pesticides
active_ingredient; Pesticides
active_ingredient; Pesticides
active_ingredient; Pesticides
active_ingredient; Pesticides
active_ingredient; Pesticides
active_ingredient; Pesticides
active_ingredient; Pesticides
active_ingredient; Pesticides
active_ingredient; Pesticides
active_ingredient; Pesticides
active_ingredient; Pesticides
active_ingredient; Pesticides
active_ingredient; Pesticides
active_ingredient; Pesticides
active_ingredient; Pesticides
active_ingredient; Pesticides
Australian Status
AICIS status: listed
Cross-Vertical Safety Context
Same-CAS public records found in food safety data.
SOURCE
EFSA / FDA GRAS
food_additives
Food Safety Data
Same-CAS food additive or FDA GRAS records from the core public database.
Food Name
CHLORINE DIOXIDE
Food Category
food_additive
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Chlorine Dioxide allowed in the EU?
Chlorine Dioxide EU regulatory status: permitted. This is based on EU Regulation 1223/2009 and its amendments.
What does Chlorine Dioxide do in cosmetics?
Chlorine Dioxide functions as: Antimicrobial, oxidizing agent (primarily industrial water treatment; niche cosmetic use in oral care). It is classified as a cosmetic ingredient in our database. CAS number: 10049-04-4.
What is the NOAEL for Chlorine Dioxide?
The NOAEL (No Observed Adverse Effect Level) for Chlorine Dioxide is 0.5 mg/kg bw/day based on a Special Toxicology Study study via oral route in rat. A total of 10 study endpoints are available. Source: COSMOS DB.
Is Chlorine Dioxide used outside cosmetics?
Chlorine Dioxide also appears in industrial chemical safety and food safety data. The cross-vertical cards on this page render same-CAS public rows from the matched databases.
Does Chlorine Dioxide have different safety status in cosmetics vs industrial chemicals?
Chlorine Dioxide is classified GHS Danger (H270, H280, H301, H314, H318, H319, H330, H332) in the chemicals database but is allowed in EU cosmetics.
Compliance Tools
Check Chlorine Dioxide compliance across multiple jurisdictions:
Ingredient Decoder
Paste a full ingredient list for instant analysis
82 Allergen Checker
Check for EU declarable fragrance allergens
Substance Compliance
Check compliance across multiple jurisdictions
MoS Calculator
Calculate Margin of Safety using SCCS methodology
Heavy Metal Limits
Compare limits across jurisdictions
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