How Dangerous Is Aluminum Zirconium Tetrachlorohydrex Gly in Deodorant?
When used as indicated, aluminum zirconium tetrachlorohydrex gly poses no significant risk to human health. The National Institutes of Health (NIH), which tracks the potential hazards of commercially available chemicals, has given aluminum zirconium tetrachlorohydrex gly a very low rating for both toxicity and flammability.
The aluminum zirconium tetrachlorohydrex gly present in common deodorants poses a very low health risk, if any, for most people. It has not been shown to be carcinogenic and it has relatively low toxicity. Because it typically comes in the form of a foul-tasting stick of deodorant, it is unlikely to be ingested. The NIH does acknowledge that aluminum zirconium tetrachlorohydrex gly is somewhat flammable, but goes on to note that it doesn’t ignite readily. If inhaled, or otherwise ingested, the compound can cause nausea, vomiting and diarrhea. Sometimes inhaled particles can cause sarcoid-like granulomas in the lungs. Because aluminum zirconium tetrachlorohydrex gly is not hypoallergenic, it may trigger an immune response in sensitive persons after the first exposure. Given the nature of the finished product, this is likely to take the form of irritation and dermatitis in previously exposed individuals. The same reaction can also occur on the first exposure for people with a preexisting skin condition.
