According to the Organic Consumer's Association:
"The alkylphenol ethoxylates (APEs) used in some detergents and cleaners have been shown to mimic the hormone estrogen; one APE... has caused estrogen-sensitive breast cancer cells to multiplyin a test tube study."
Guess what? That chemical is banned in Canada and most of Europe (according to this site). But the US still allows it in detergents.
Since it is considered a byproduct, producers are not required to list 1,4-dioxane in the ingredients. However the study revealed that 1,4-dioxane
Conventional brands:
1. Tide – 55 parts per million (ppm)
2. Ivory Snow Gentle – 31 ppm
3. Tide Free – 29 ppm
4. Purex – 25 ppm
5. Gain 2X Ultra – 21 ppm
6. Cheer BrightClean Detergent – 20 ppm
7. Era 2X Ultra – 14 ppm
8. Arm & Hammer – 5.0 ppm
9. Wisk 2X Ultra – 3.9 ppm
10. Woolite Complete Detergent – 1.3 ppm"
Might want to wash your Pleasant Pads and clothes, too, in a laundry detergent from a healthfood store from now on, eh? Miracle II is also a good choice.