Beauty

Methods for Incorporating Environmental Justice into Alternatives Assessment

Grace Campbell
2026
Incorporating Environmental Justice into Alternatives Assessment

Lessons Learned from Case Studies

This report presents new methods for integrating environmental justice (EJ) into chemical alternatives assessment (AA), a key decision-making process used to identify safer substitutes for hazardous chemicals in consumer products. Developed by the Berkeley Center for Green Chemistry (BCGC) in partnership with the California Department of Toxic Substances Control (DTSC) and UMass Lowell, the project aims to ensure that chemical safety evaluations better account for the needs and...

Greener Solutions 2024: Alternatives to Quaternary Ammonium Compounds in Hair Conditioners

Final Presentation

Final Report

Quaternary ammonium compounds (quats), like behentrimonium chloride (BTAC) and cetrimonium chloride (CTAC), are commonly used in hair conditioners to make hair smooth, glossy, and easier to comb. However, these compounds pose significant health and environmental risks. L'Oréal is working on finding safer, more biodegradable alternatives, but this is a challenge across the industry.

The goal is to find...