{"hq_id":"hq-p-bdy-000114","name":"Antiperspirant Deodorant (Aluminum-Based)","category":{"primary":"personal_care","secondary":"deodorant","tags":["antiperspirant","aluminum","paraben","triclosan","breast cancer","Alzheimer"]},"product_tier":"BDY","overall_risk_level":"low","description":"Antiperspirants containing aluminum chlorohydrate or aluminum zirconium tetrachlorohydrex as the active ingredient. Aluminum salts plug sweat glands to reduce perspiration. Decades of research have investigated links to breast cancer (proximity to breast tissue) and Alzheimer's disease (aluminum neurotoxicity), with inconclusive but concerning results. FDA classifies antiperspirants as OTC drugs, not cosmetics.","synthesis":{"derived_risk_level":"moderate","synthesis_confidence":0.84,"synthesis_method":"compound_composition","context_used":"human_child","context_source":"product_users","exposure_modifier":1.208,"vulnerability_escalated":true,"escalation_reason":"Child exposure group","compounds_resolved":3,"compounds_total":3,"synthesis_date":"2026-03-27","synthesis_version":"1.0.0"},"hazard_summary":{"sensitive_populations":"general population (inconclusive research)","overall_risk":"low","primary_concerns":["Aluminum absorption through underarm skin — breast cancer link inconclusive but investigated","Application to shaved skin increases aluminum absorption","Fragrance and paraben content in some formulations"],"exposure_routes":"Daily dermal application to underarm (continuous contact)"},"exposure":{"routes":["dermal"],"contact_types":["skin_prolonged"],"users":["adult","child"],"duration":"hours","frequency":"daily","scenarios":["Daily application to underarm skin (24/7 contact)","Application to freshly shaved skin (microabrasions increase absorption)","Adolescents beginning daily antiperspirant use"],"notes":"NCI 2016: no conclusive evidence linking antiperspirant use to breast cancer. However, aluminum accumulation in breast tissue has been documented (Exley 2007), and the question remains open. FDA monograph limits aluminum chlorohydrate to 25%. Paraben-containing antiperspirants have been largely reformulated by major brands."},"consumer_guidance":{"usage_warning":"Apply to intact (unshaved) skin when possible. Choose paraben-free, fragrance-free formulations. Consider aluminum-free deodorant if concerned about aluminum exposure.","safer_alternatives":["Aluminum-free deodorant (Native, Schmidt's, Each & Every)","Crystal deodorant (potassium alum — lower aluminum absorption)","Unscented mineral deodorant"],"red_flags":[{"indicator":"Product causes skin irritation, redness, or rash","meaning":"Contact dermatitis or chemical sensitivity.","action":"Discontinue use. Choose fragrance-free, hypoallergenic alternative."}],"green_flags":[{"indicator":"EWG Verified or dermatologist-tested label","meaning":"Meets strict ingredient safety criteria.","verification":"Check EWG Skin Deep database for product rating."}],"what_to_ask":[{"question":"Is this product fragrance-free (not just unscented)?","why_it_matters":"Fragrance is the #1 cause of cosmetic contact dermatitis. Unscented may still contain masking fragrance.","good_answer":"Fragrance-free — no fragrance ingredients at all.","bad_answer":"Unscented (may contain masking fragrance)."}],"alternatives":[{"name":"Aluminum-free deodorant","notes":"Native, Schmidt's, Each & Every"},{"name":"Crystal deodorant","notes":"potassium alum — lower aluminum absorption"},{"name":"Unscented mineral deodorant","notes":"Safer option"}]},"regulatory":{"applicable_regulations":[{"jurisdiction":"USA","regulation":"FDA Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (Cosmetics)","citation":"21 U.S.C. 361-364","requirements":"Cosmetics must not be adulterated or misbranded. No pre-market approval required (except color additives). Fragrance ingredients exempt from individual disclosure.","compliance_status":null,"effective_date":null,"enforcing_agency":"FDA","penalties":null,"source_ref":null},{"jurisdiction":"EU","regulation":"EU Cosmetics Regulation (EC) No 1223/2009","citation":"EC 1223/2009","requirements":"All cosmetic ingredients must be safety-assessed before market. 1,600+ banned substances. Full ingredient disclosure required (INCI). CMR substances prohibited.","compliance_status":null,"effective_date":null,"enforcing_agency":"European Commission","penalties":null,"source_ref":null},{"jurisdiction":"USA -- California","regulation":"California Proposition 65","citation":"CA Health & Safety Code 25249.5","requirements":"Products containing listed chemicals require warnings.","compliance_status":null,"effective_date":null,"enforcing_agency":"OEHHA","penalties":null,"source_ref":null}],"certifications":[{"name":"EWG Verified","issuer":"Environmental Working Group","standard":"EWG Verified Mark","scope":"Meets EWG strictest health criteria for personal care products"}],"labeling":{"required_disclosures":[],"prop65_warning":{"required":null,"chemicals":[],"endpoint":null,"notes":null},"ghs_labeling":{"required":null,"signal_word":null,"pictograms":[],"hazard_statements":[],"notes":null},"hidden_ingredients":{"trade_secret_protected":null,"categories_hidden":[],"estimated_count":null,"known_concerns":null,"notes":null},"notes":null},"recalls":[],"regulatory_gap":null,"notes":null},"lifecycle":{"recyclable":true,"disposal_guidance":"Recycle container per local program.","hazardous_waste":false,"expected_lifespan":"months"},"formulation":{"form":"varies","key_ingredients":[{"hq_id":"hq-c-ino-000221","name":"Aluminium hydroxide","role":"active_ingredient_class","concentration_pct":"15-25"},{"hq_id":"hq-c-org-000088","name":"Propylparaben","role":"preservative_legacy","concentration_pct":"trace"},{"hq_id":"hq-c-org-000094","name":"Propylene glycol","role":"carrier","concentration_pct":"5-15"}],"certifications":[]},"materials":{"common":[{"material_id":null,"material_name":"Primary formulation for antiperspirant deodorant (aluminum-based","component":"main product","prevalence":"common","notes":"Standard personal care product formulation."}],"concerning":[],"preferred":[]},"compound_composition":[{"hq_id":"hq-c-ino-000221","compound_name":null,"role":"active_ingredient_class","typical_concentration":"15-25%"},{"hq_id":"hq-c-org-000088","compound_name":null,"role":"preservative_legacy","typical_concentration":"trace"},{"hq_id":"hq-c-org-000094","compound_name":null,"role":"carrier","typical_concentration":"5-15%"}],"identifiers":{"common_names":["antiperspirant deodorant (aluminum-based)"],"aliases":[],"manufacturer":null,"brands":[]},"brand_examples":[{"brand":"Degree","manufacturer":"Unilever","market_position":"mass_market","notable":"Mass-market antiperspirant"},{"brand":"Secret","manufacturer":"Procter & Gamble","market_position":"mass_market","notable":"Women's antiperspirant leader"},{"brand":"Old Spice","manufacturer":"Procter & Gamble","market_position":"mass_market","notable":"Men's antiperspirant/deodorant"},{"brand":"Dove Advanced Care","manufacturer":"Unilever","market_position":"mass_market","notable":"Gentle antiperspirant"}],"sources":[{"type":"expert_curation","name":"ALETHEIA Safety Database","date":"2026-03-25"},{"type":"regulation","title":"FDA Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (Cosmetics) (21 U.S.C. 361-364)","jurisdiction":"USA","citation":"21 U.S.C. 361-364","id":"src_d6e8aa83"},{"type":"regulation","title":"EU Cosmetics Regulation (EC) No 1223/2009 (EC 1223/2009)","jurisdiction":"EU","citation":"EC 1223/2009","id":"src_dc378692"},{"type":"regulation","title":"California Proposition 65 (CA Health & Safety Code 25249.5)","jurisdiction":"USA -- California","citation":"CA Health & Safety Code 25249.5","id":"src_fe1d5adc"},{"id":"src_001","type":"who","title":"WHO GACVS Statement on Aluminium Adjuvants","url":"https://www.who.int/vaccine_safety/committee/en/","accessed":"2026-03-24","inherited_from_compound":"hq-c-ino-000221"},{"id":"eu_sccs_parabens_2021","type":"regulatory","title":"EU Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety (SCCS): Opinion on Parabens (Methylparaben, Ethylparaben, Propylparaben, Butylparaben) in Cosmetics","year":2021,"inherited_from_compound":"hq-c-org-000088"},{"id":"fda_parabens_2023","type":"regulatory","title":"US FDA: Parabens in Cosmetics — Safety Assessment and Consumer Information Update","year":2023,"inherited_from_compound":"hq-c-org-000088"},{"id":"fda_pg_cat_food_ban","type":"regulatory","title":"US FDA: Propylene Glycol in Animal Food — Final Rule Prohibiting Use in Cat Food (21 CFR 582.4666) and GRAS Status for Dog Food","year":1996,"inherited_from_compound":"hq-c-org-000094"},{"id":"aspca_apcc_pg","type":"veterinary","title":"ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center: Propylene Glycol — Heinz Body Anemia Risk in Cats and Species Differences in Erythrocyte Sensitivity","year":2022,"inherited_from_compound":"hq-c-org-000094"},{"type":"regulatory","title":"US Food and Drug Administration (FDA)","jurisdiction":"USA","id":"src_82d1cfcd","extraction":"description_reference"}],"meta":{"schema_version":"4.0.0","last_updated":"2026-03-25","timestamp":"2026-05-02T18:19:40.332Z"}}