Toxic Body Care Products
The Environmental Working Group issued two press releases last week detailing the presence of toxic ingredients in fragrances and cosmetics. According to EWG,
“Most ingredients in personal care products are listed on the label. But due to a loophole in federal law, the ingredients in fragrances are not disclosed. This loophole can expose the public to chemicals that present serious health risks.”
And when it comes to cosmetics, EWG found that,
“Many of the cosmetic industry’s chemical safety assessments reveal that common petroleum-based cosmetic ingredients can be contaminated with a cancer-causing impurity called 1,4-dioxane. Studies show that this chemical readily penetrates the skin. EPA classifies it as a probable human carcinogen, and the National Toxicology Program considers it a known animal carcinogen. Although companies can easily remove it from ingredients during manufacture, tests documenting its common presence in products show that they often don’t, leaving their customers at risk for potential chronic and widespread exposures to this cancer-causing compound.In a new, computerized assessment of ingredients in 15,000 cosmetics and other personal care products, Environmental Working Group (EWG) researchers found that 22 percent of all products may be contaminated with 1,4-dioxane, based on its common presence in workhorse detergent-like ingredients that the cosmetics industry uses in a wide array of products. This finding is confirmed by new product tests finding this cancer-causing chemical in 18 of more than two dozen products, including 15 products for babies and children.”
For more information about finding safe cosmetics and body care products, check out EWG’s interactive guide.
Filed under: Uncategorized, Action Alerts, Atrocities
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