Quaternium-15
Learn about Quaternium-15.
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About Quaternium-15
Quaternium-15 doesn't occur naturally in the environment. It may be used in some self-care products (cosmetics, natural health products, over-the-counter drugs), cleaning products, paints and coatings. It's also used in the automotive, aircraft and transportation industry.
Quaternium-15 can be found in products, such as:
- self-care products:
- shampoo
- sunscreen lotion
- body moisturizers
- hair styling products
- cleaning products:
- stain remover
- bleach cleaners
- toilet bowl cleaners
- furniture and vehicle cleaning wipes
- paints and coatings
- pest control products
Quaternium-15 may also be used in some materials used to package foods.
Quaternium-15 is a common name for:
- cis/trans-CTAC and/or cis-CTAC, which are part of the Hexamethylenetetramines Group
Safety of Quaternium-15
Under Canada's Chemicals Management Plan, we review and manage the potential risks that chemical substances can pose to Canadians and the environment. The first stage of the review process is a draft chemical risk assessment.
We have completed the draft assessment of 3 substances that are collectively referred to as the hexamethylenetetramines group. We're proposing that 2 substances (cis/trans-CTAC and cis-CTAC), also known as Quaternium-15, may pose a risk to the health of infants, toddlers and children. There's a potential risk when the following products containing Quaternium-15 are applied to the skin of infants, toddlers and children:
- sunscreen lotions
- body moisturizers
Daily use of these products may:
- have effects on testes and liver
The draft assessment is also proposing that Quaternium-15:
- has a low ecological hazard
- does not pose a health risk from the use of these other products:
- furniture cleaning wipes
- food packaging materials
- paints
- stain remover
- some self-care products
- shampoo
- hair styling products
What we're doing
To reduce exposure to Canadian infants, toddlers and children to Quaternium-15 in the products of concern (sunscreen lotions and body moisturizers), we're proposing to:
- add cis/trans-CTAC and cis-CTAC to the Toxic Substances List
- Revise the listing for Quaternium-15 in the Natural Health Products Ingredients Database
What you can do
Consumers are reminded to:
- read product labels and follow all safety warnings and directions
- labels on cosmetics, over-the-counter drugs, and natural health products must list all ingredients
- dispose of the product safely, following the manufacturer's directions
- limit use of sunscreen lotion and body moisturizers that contain Quaternium-15 on infants, toddlers and children.
If you're exposed to Quaternium-15 at work, talk to your employer and occupational health and safety (OHS) official about:
- relevant laws
- safe handling and storage practices
- requirements under OHS legislation and the Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System (WHMIS)
For more information
- Use household chemicals safely
- Measuring your exposure to chemicals
- Canada's systems for addressing chemicals
- Overview of the Chemicals Management Plan
For industry and professionals