Environmentalists say many household products like laundry detergent, shampoo, body wash and hand soap are contaminated with a known possible carcinogen called 1,4-dioxane.

Citizens Campaign for the Environment found the possibly toxic chemical compound in 65 of 80 common household items it tested.

Because 1,4-dioxane is a byproduct and not technically an ingredient, manufacturers are not required to put it on their labels. The chemical has been detected in drinking water wells across the island. There is also no standard for 1,4-dioxane levels in household products or drinking water.

"It's actually a very disconcerting issue that's come up," says Adrienne Esposito, of Citizens Campaign for the Environment. "It's not about just one product and one exposure. We use all these products usually on a daily basis."

Dreft, a laundry detergent for newborns, Baby Magic shampoo and Tide are listed as part of the so-called "dirty dozen," which have the highest levels of 1,4-dioxane.

The group says there are products with low or no detectable amounts of 1,4-dioxane.

There is legislation making its way through the state Legislature that would ban the 1,4-dioxane byproduct from all household items.

According to a spokesman for the American Cleaning Institute, which represents soap, detergent and cleaning supply manufacturers:

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MORE: Environmental group: Household products contaminated with possible carcinogen