Toxic Fragrance Chemical: Galaxolide

Galaxolide: A Threat to the Environment and Human Health

Galaxolide is a synthetic musk, and is a commonly used fragrance ingredient in household products. This chemical is highly toxic to aquatic life. Galaxolide pollution is a growing problem to the Great Lakes region. Scientists have found it in several of the Great Lakes including Lake Erie, Lake Ontario, Lake Michigan as well as in Great Lakes tributaries.

In addition, studies show this fragrance chemical may interfere with hormones and other chemical signals in our bodies, which can result in developmental, reproductive, metabolic, brain, and behavior problems.

SC Johnson & Son — makers of such brands like Glade®, Scrubbing Bubbles®, Pledge®, Windex® and Shout!® — is one of just six manufacturers in the United States named by the EPA that is importing and using this high production volume (HPV) chemical.

GreenScreen® Assessment of Galaxolide

A recent GreenScreen® analysis reveals that this chemical is highly toxic to aquatic life and persistent, meaning is does not break down easily in the environment.

Galaxolide and SC Johnson

SC Johnson, a company headquartered on the shores of Lake Michigan, has said publicly it is committed to improving the safety of the ingredients they use. If that’s true, they should not allow Galaxolide to be their legacy contribution to the Great Lakes.

Key Questions on Galaxolide and SC Johnson

Galaxolide pollution isn’t only a problem in the Great Lakes – it is detected in our environment nearly everywhere testing has been conducted. Learn more about the problems with Galaxolide, and find answers to why SC Johnson chooses to keep using this toxic chemical in its products, while other companies have eliminated it from their fragrance palettes. 

SC Johnson Products that Contain Galaxolide

SC Johnson is one of just six manufacturers in the US importing and using this high production volume (HPV) chemical. The company uses it in over 80 different products.