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Quaternium-15Updated a month ago

An antimicrobial preservative that slowly releases carcinogenic formaldehyde into a product over time (see Formaldehyde). People may develop a contact allergy to formaldehyde or to the ingredient itself. The American Society of Contact Dermatitis lists quaternium-15 and formaldehyde as allergens, even in concentrations as low as 2% and 1% respectively. Longer storage times and higher temperatures increase the amount of formaldehyde released from quaternium-15, which can lead to higher risks of health problems.

Sources:
https://online.personalcarecouncil.org/ctfa-static/online/lists/cir-pdfs/PR543.pdf
http://www.safecosmetics.org/get-the-facts/chemicals-of-concern/formaldehyde/
https://www.cancer.org/cancer/cancer-causes/formaldehyde.html
https://www.contactderm.org/i4a/pages/index.cfm?pageID=3563


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