1,4-Dioxane

1,4-Dioxane is used to dehydrate tissue and prepare slides for microscopy. Those slides may be used in medical research laboratories to prepare samples for analysis. 1,4-Dioxane also can be used as a purifying agent in pharmaceutical manufacturing.1,4-Dioxane is used in the production of cellulose acetate, a thermoplastic polymer used to make artificial fibers and plastic. Cellulose acetate can be spun into textile fibers and can be molded into solid plastic parts such as tool handles, and cast into film for photography and food wrapping. It also is used as a catalyst in some polymerization reactions.1,4-Dioxane was historically used to help inks adhere to plastics. It also may have been used as a solvent in paints, varnishes and lacquers.Use of 1,4-dioxane has been identified in the production of several other products. It has been used as a wetting and dispersing agent in textile processing and in wood pulping. Other uses of 1,4-dioxane have included racing fuels, fire retardant production, medical device production, herbicides, pesticides and art restoration.

While not an added ingredient, 1,4-dioxane can occur in trace amounts as an unintentional byproduct during the manufacturing process of ingredients in cleaning and cosmetic products. Only a fraction of 1,4-dioxane that may contact the skin will typically be absorbed, as the chemical readily evaporates.

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