Toxicant finding no basis for worry

Your article on toxicants in “green” products will needlessly frighten consumers who use them. (“Popular ‘green’ products test positive for toxicant,” March 14)

The fact that a substance is detectable at parts-per-million levels does not indicate that it’s in any way harmful to our health or that of our children. As your article notes, the Food and Drug Administration is not concerned about adverse health effects of 1,4-dioxane. Since no human being has ever been harmed by the low levels of this chemical in any product, your readers should not be concerned either.

Gilbert Ross, Medical Director

American Council on Science and Health

New York

Editor’s note: The council’s website states that it receives about 40% of its funding from corporations.

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