Many manufacturers
are putting toxic chemicals in shampoos, conditioners, lotions, antiperspirants, cosmetics and nail polishes, according to a report released by the Environmental Working Group ( www.ewg.org ).
Alarmed by the discovery, the environmental group decided to study the prevalence of toxic chemicals in consumer products. "Major
loopholes in federal law allow cosmetics manufacturers to put unlimited
amounts of industrial chemicals into personal care products without any
testing for adverse health effects,"
the reports says. Because the government conducts chemical safety
testing on compounds only if they are directly added to food, even chemicals that are tightly regulated as environmental pollutants can still find their way into personal care products, it says.
 
The Environmental Working Group report says "No one knows exactly the effect of constant exposure to poisons." The Environmental Working Group will push for a comprehensive cosmetics industry-funded study, to establish which chemicals are dangerous to humans. It is also calling for improvements to cosmetics industry labels, so they are more legible.
Thousands of people suffer adverse effects after using off-the-shelf cosmetic products. In a study conducted by the University of California of more than 58,000 hairdressers, manicurists, and cosmetologists revealed that they developed
multiple melanoma (cancer) at four times the rate of the general population.
This is believed to be due to exposure to cosmetic chemicals. Over eighty
percent of the products on the market today contain one or more ingredients
that are documented to cause adverse reactions in humans and animals.
Few incidents are reported since affected consumers simply discontinue
using the product. Many resulting systemic effects are unknown and remain
undiagnosed and an unsuspecting population remains unwarned.
The National
Institute of Occupational Safety and Health (OSHA) found that, of all
the chemicals available for use in cosmetics, 815 substances have been
documented as toxic. From 1968-1972 the FDA analyzed compounds used in
cosmetics. The five chemicals that most frequently involved adverse reactions
were alpha-terpineol, benzyl
acetate, benzyl alcohol, limonene
and linalool. These five are among the 20
most commonly used in the 31 fragrance products later tested by the EPA
in 1991.
Ninety five percent of chemicals used in fragrances are synthetic compounds derived from
petroleum. They include benzene derivatives, aldehydes and many other
known toxins and sensitizers - capable of causing cancer, birth defects,
central nervous system disorders and allergic reactions.
Question:
Why do I have to worry
about chemicals in my skin care and cosmetics?
Answer: All of the products that are applied to our skin and hair are absorbed through the pores, and directly into our skin cells. Many of these chemicals build up and are stored in our bodies after long periods of daily use, and the longer they remain on the skin, the more they enter our bodies. The use of just facial make-up during pregnancy is associated with a 60% increased risk of childhood brain tumors.
How to check Products for Toxic Ingredients...
Under the provisions for Cosmetic Labeling and Declaration
of Ingredients, all retail products must contain a list of ingredients
in descending order of predominance. Unfortunately, only those with
chemistry, physics, and medical backgrounds can understand the nature
of most ingredients listed.
The following list will help you to avoid potentially harmful ingredients.
ALKYL-PHENOL ETHIOXYLADES
Shampoo additives that have been proven to reduce sperm count.
ALPHA
HYDROXY ACIDS
Glycolic & lactic acids commonly used in anti-wrinkle products and exfoliators.
The FDA, studying a possible link the acids, sun sensitivity cancer, cautions
extra care with products--avoiding the sun when possible, otherwise using
adequate sun protection.
BENZALDEHYDE
Found in perfume, cologne, hairspray, deodorants, Vaseline, shaving cream,
shampoo, and bar soap. Local anesthetic, depressant. Irritation to the
mouth, throat, eyes, skin, lungs, GI tract, causing nausea and pain. May
cause kidney damage.
BENZYL
ACETATE
Found in perfume, cologne, shampoo, stickup air freshener, soap, hairspray,
after-shave, and deodorants. Carcinogenic (linked to pancreatic cancer.
Irritating to eyes and respiratory passages (from the vapors). Can be
absorbed through the skin causing systemic effects.
BENZYL
ALCOHOL
Found in perfume, cologne, soap, shampoo, nail enamel remover, air freshener,
deodorants. Irritating to the upper respiratory tract...Can cause headache,
nausea, vomiting, dizziness, drop in blood pressure, CNS (Central Nervous
System) depression and death in severe cases due to respiratory failure.
BUTYL
ALCOHOL or BUTANOL. or
any other chemical with "BUTYL" in
the name.
Solvent and clarifying agent that is a strong irritant and toxin. Manufactured
from the fermentation of maize or synthesized from acetaldehyde. Used
in the lacquer and dye industries, in the manufacture of safety glass,
hat and textile industries, shoes, and cosmetics.
-
BUTYLATE HYDROXYTUOLENE
Found in lipsticks, baby oil, eyeliners and soaps. It is known to cause
cancer in animals and is suspected of causing birth defects as well.
- BUTYLPARABEN.
Used as an antifungal and is toxic.
- BUTYLENE
Common in hair sprays; toxic to central nervous system and kidneys.
CAMPHOR
Found in perfume, shaving cream, nail enamel, nail color, and stickup
fresheners. Irritant and CNS stimulant...readily absorbed through body
tissues. Irritation of eyes, nose and throat. Can cause dizziness, confusion,
nausea, twitching muscles, convulsions. Avoid inhalation of vapors.
CARBOMER
934, 940, 941, 960, 961
Used in many cosmetics and toothpaste as a thickener. It can cause eye
irritation.
CETYL
ALCOHOL
Derived from spermaceti, which is a wax derived from the head of a sperm
whale. Can easily become rancid and causes skin irritations, contact eczema
and has a low toxicity.
COLLAGEN
Derived from cattle hide or bird's feet. Molecules are too big to penetrate
our pores. Once again, this just coats the skin giving it an appearance
of softness, but in reality, drying out the skin by inhibiting the body's
natural moisturizing process.
DEA
Found in bubble bath, body washes, shampoos, soaps, and facial cleansers.
A hormone-disrupting chemical known to form cancer causing nitrates and
nitrosamine. Repeated skin applications of DEA-based detergents resulted
in a major increase in the incidence of liver cancer and kidney cancer
- Dr. Samuel Epstein, University of Illinois.
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