I’ve heard a lot over the past couple of years about health concerns regarding certain chemicals and toxins used in common cosmetics and personal care products. However, I had no idea how many chemicals were present, how many companies were involved, and the extensive severity of the health effects- on the whole family. I am honestly very shocked and disgusted.

Did you know a common ingredient in lipstick and hair dye is lead? And mercury in mascara? Even carcinogenic agents in baby shampoo?

Lately there’s been a lot of media attention on lead, and recalls of toys and products because of the presence of lead. That’s because as a neurotoxin lead can cause severe health problems and damages learning, language and behavior. Years ago when scientists recognized that lead harms the developing brain of a child, the government ordered its removal from gasoline and house paint, but not cosmetics or hair dye. According to product tests released in October by the Campaign for Safe Cosmetics, numerous popular brands of lipstick contain ridiculously high lead levels.

Another hidden danger is mercury. Even low levels of mercury damage brain function, so one would think it would be crazy to put it in any consumer product, let alone something applied to the human face. But guess what? It is an ingredient found in mascara, eye drops, and hair dye, usually listed as the mercury preservative “thimerosal.” Think of how many times you’ve gotten an eyelash or flakes of mascara in your eye. And how careful are you when you wash it off? You may be getting small doses of mercury.

I find it shocking and, quite frankly, despicable that products for babies and children are not protected by any government regulations either. One chemical called 1,4 dioxane is prevalent in baby shampoo. As far as we know, it’s not something specifically added but can show up as an unintended byproduct of manufacturing. The Environmental Protection Agency lists 1,4 dioxane as a “probable human carcinogen”, but because it is not added to baby products directly, the FDA does not require listing it on the labels. Yet, this chemical has been found in more than a dozen popular brands of bubble bath and baby shampoo, including Johnson & Johnson, Gerber, and Sesame Street character brands. And then there’s baby powder, which contains ingredients linked to cancer and other lung problems when they are inhaled. The FDA warns that powders may cause lung damage if inhaled regularly- However, they don’t regulate these products or the cancer-causing ingredients in them, and don’t even require the products contain a warning label with this important information. Don’t use baby powders on your newborn or infant, or child for that matter.

Here are just some of the facts:

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  2,983 chemicals are listed by the cosmetic industry as being used in cosmetics - 884 of these are known to be toxic, according to The National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health.

• 1 of every 100 personal care products contains a known or probable carcinogen, and 89% of ingredients in products havn’t been assessed for safety, according to a study by the Environmental Working Group (EWG).

• Children are exposed to an average of 27 personal care product ingredients everyday that have not been deemed safe for them, according to a 2007 EWG survey. A whopping 77% of the ingredients in 1,700 children’s products reviewed haven’t been tested for safety.

• The $35 billion cosmetics industry to free to put unlimited amounts of chemicals into personal care products without any required testing or monitoring of health effects, and with inadequate labeling requirements. The FDA does not regulate ingredients in cosmetics or personal care products.

One specific family of chemicals known as phthalates is of major concern, as they are linked to numerous developmental and reproductive health risks. Phthalates are in many products including lotions, hair spray, perfumes, deodorants, detergents, pharmaceuticals, food packaging, and plastic toys. Furthermore, studies show they have now turned up in our bodies. It’s horrible to read about the damage these nasty chemicals cause little boys and men- feminization of baby boys, sperm damage, and infertility. Pregnant women should also avoid it in nail polish (”dibutyl phathalate”) because it can travel into the system of the unborn baby and into breastmilk, and everyone should avoid products with “fragrance” on their labels because that usually means phthalates. Just some of the studies conducted on the health effects of phthalates:

• In 2000, EHP published a small study that said elevated blood levels of phthalates were associated with premature breast development in young girls.

• A 2003 study found that men with higher concentrations of two phthalate breakdown products in their urine were more likely to have a low sperm count or low sperm motility.
• A 2005 study reported that women with higher levels of four phthalate compounds in their urine during pregnancy were likelier to give birth to boys with smaller scrotums.
• A 2006 study noted low testosterone levels in newborn boys exposed to higher levels of phthalates in breast milk.
• Phthalates have caused testicular injury, liver injury, and liver cancer in studies on lab rats.

• Studies over the past few years have concluded that women of childbearing age have high levels of phthalates in their bodies.

• A 2003 study by the EWG found an average of 200 industrial chemicals and pollutants in the umbilical cords of 10 babies born in August and September 2003. The cord blood was found to contain consumer product ingredients, gasoline, pesticides, and garbage.

It is so maddening to learn things like this, and it really makes you wonder what other everyday products used on your children may be hurting their health and causing irreparable damage. I am really taking a second look at all the little, everyday things that come in contact with my son.

Do yourself, your family, and anyone you love a favor by trying to avoid these dangerous products and spreading this important information. A very handy resource is the Environmental Working Group’s Skin Deep Cosmetic Safety Database, where you can get info on the specific products you use.

You Can Do Something!- Sign a petition to Congress calling for government awareness and FDA regulation of ingredients in cosmetics and personal care products.

Look for my new posts on safe cosmetics, safe personal care products, and safe baby products soon!

As always, let us know your thoughts about this, or if you’ve made any changes to the products you use because of the adverse health effects.

Also see:

What Not To Buy

Top 20 Brands of Concern

Top 20 Companies of Concern

Information was obtained from these important sites:

CampaignForSafeCosmetics.org

EnvironmentalWorkingGroup.org

ConsumerReports.org

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