What are Petrochemicals?

So what exactly are petrochemicals?  Here is a quick explanation...
Petrochemicals are any chemicals derived from petroleum, or more simply, oil.  More than 6000 products are out there using these chemicals, and many cleaning and cosmetic products will have petrochemicals in their ingredients.

Petrochemicals you might find in household products, but not limited to:

  • Parafin wax
  • Mineral oil
  • Toluene
  • Benzene
  • Anything with PEG (polyethylene glycol)
  • Anything with DEA (diethanolamine) or MEA (ethanolamine)
  • Butanol and any word with butyl: butyl alcohol, butylparaben, butylene glycol
  • EDTA (ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid)
  • Any word with propyl—isopropyl alcohol, propylene glycol, propyl alcohol, cocamidopropyl betaine.

    Common petrochemical products:

    • plastics
    • rubbers
    • resins
    • synthetic fibres like polyester
    • adhesives
    • dyes
    • detergents
    • solvents
    • cosmetics 
    • pesticides and fertilizers
    • paints and coatings
    Quite shocking when they are all listed in this way. You can be assured that e.sup products are free from Petrochemicals!

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