As mentioned in the quote from Wikipedia, silica can be found naturally in plants, rocks, animals, the human body, and many other places on earth. And when we consume silica naturally through our food, it is considered safe.
However, silica becomes a concern when it is inhaled. Airborne silica of respiratory size is a known carcinogen and is of particular concern for workers in related industries, such as construction, where you risk inhaling silica. The substance can penetrate the lung and cosmetic products such as powders and sprays containing silica should be used with caution.
Another thing to note, the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) has not yet given silica, also called silicon dioxide or synthetic amorphous silica (SAS), the safety clear. EFSA says that they cannot fully exclude that the silica is not used in nano-form. And as there are no long-term studies of how nano silica affect health and ecosystem, the EFSA has concluded that the current research is insufficient to determine if it is safe or not.
Silica is on the Red List* from Campaign for Safe Cosmetics, a project of Breast Cancer Prevention Partners (previously the Breast Cancer Fund). They list silica as a known carcinogen and an occupational hazard.
The European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) identifies that silica “causes damage to organs through prolonged or repeated, cause serious eye irritation and is harmful if inhaled.”
* “The Red List includes chemicals found in personal care products that pose serious, chronic health concerns including cancer, hormone disruption, and reproductive and developmental harm. The list also flags chemicals that are banned or have use restrictions by the U.S. or other world governments, ingredients that adversely impact worker health, and ingredients that are widely used in products marketed to women of color.” – Campaign for Safe Cosmetics
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