Amalgam fillings, dental composites, mouthwash, medical tubing, contrast agents and pharmaceutical side effects.
14 chemicals in this category
BPA is one of the most studied endocrine-disrupting chemicals in the world. It mimics oestrogen and has been found in the urine of over 90% of the general population in studies across Europe and the US. The "BPA-Free"…
Tooth-coloured composite resin fillings — now often presented as the safer, mercury-free alternative to amalgam — are manufactured from bis-GMA (bisphenol A glycidyl dimethacrylate) or bis-DMA (bisphenol A dimethacryl…
Chlorhexidine is a broad-spectrum antiseptic used in prescription and over-the-counter mouthwashes. While effective against oral pathogens, it indiscriminately destroys the beneficial oral bacteria responsible for con…
Chlorhexidine is a biguanide antiseptic that has been used in dental mouthwashes for decades and is considered the gold-standard anti-plaque agent by dentistry. It is extraordinarily effective at killing oral bacteria…
Di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP) is the most widely studied member of the phthalate family — a group of plasticisers that make PVC soft and flexible. It is classified as a reproductive toxicant Category 1B and a subs…
PVC (polyvinyl chloride) medical devices — IV tubing, blood bags, dialysis tubing, enteral feeding tubes, and nasogastric tubes — require plasticisers to remain flexible, and DEHP (di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate) has been…
Dental amalgam is a filling material composed of approximately 50% elemental mercury bound with silver, tin, and copper. When amalgam fillings are in the mouth, they continuously release small amounts of mercury vapou…
Gadolinium-based contrast agents (GBCAs) are injected intravenously before MRI scans to enhance image contrast — millions of doses are administered annually in the UK. Gadolinium is a rare-earth lanthanide metal that …
HEMA is a monomer used in gel, acrylic, and shellac nail products to bond the coating to the nail. Repeated skin contact causes progressive sensitisation — once sensitised, the immune response is lifelong and can be t…
Dental amalgam has been used as a tooth filling material for over 150 years and is composed of approximately 50% mercury by weight, alloyed with silver, tin, and copper. Once set, amalgam is stable, but it continuousl…
Parabens are synthetic preservatives that extend the shelf life of personal care products. Cheap, effective, and ubiquitous — found in the majority of shampoos, moisturisers, cosmetics, and pharmaceutical products. Th…
Phthalates are a family of plasticisers and fragrance fixatives found in an enormous range of products — from PVC flooring to nail varnish to the fragrance in shampoo. They are among the most extensively studied endoc…
Quaternary ammonium compounds (QACs or "quats") are a large family of synthetic antimicrobial chemicals used as disinfectants, preservatives, and surfactants. They are found in kitchen sprays, bathroom disinfectants, …
Titanium dioxide (TiO₂) is one of the most widely used white pigments in the world, present in paints, plastics, cosmetics, and food. As E171 in food, it provides whiteness and opacity in confectionery, chewing gum, b…
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