Most body care products not tested for safety - are you safe? Most shampoos and other body care products have no ingredients tested for safety before being used. According to the FDA Office of Cosmetics and colors, 1995, "FDA can not require companies to do safety testing of their cosmetics before marketing." It is unlikely that individual applications for a product cause immediate damage, however, most of us use many products per day, such as shampoo, conditioner, makeup, skin care such as facial cleanser, moisturizers, etc., and these exposures can s 'add.
Did you know that pharmaceutical companies have considered putting drugs in shampoos because the scalp is so thin that it easily absorbs the substances that are put on this? Many other personal care products are put on our skin and stay there and are absorbed throughout the day. Have you ever wondered about their safety?
According to the Environmental Working Group, United States, the FDA has banned or restricted nine (9) of 1,175 ingredients that are used in personal care products. The EU, however, has banned 450 ingredients for use in cosmetics. Hmm!
Some food for thought: the cancer rates are now close to 1 at 2 man American and U.S. 1 in 3 women. This represents a growth of between 1 4 American in the 1950s despite the enormous expense of the "war against cancer." Dr. Samuel Epstein of the University of Illinois says that cancer rates have increased by about 60 % from 1950 to 1998. Many of us believe that cancer rates rise at least in part due to our increasing exposure to carcinogenic chemicals, often in small quantities that accumulate in our bodies over time. These come from our food, our air and water, furniture and building materials, cleaning products and personal care products.
Chemicals commonly used in personal care products that may be toxic:
Artificial fragrances are derived largely from petrochemicals, not the flower essences or other herbal products than many imagine. These petrochemicals release volatile organic compounds (VOCs) which often cause headaches, skin irritation, nausea and allergies. Some are carcinogenic, contain or release formaldehyde or toxic to the nervous system. Many artificial fragrances contain phthalates, which are associated with congenital malformations in the male reproductive system. Phthalates were found in a study conducted in 2002 by a coalition of public health and environment in deodorants, perfumes, body lotions, hair gels, mousses and sprays. artificial fragrances usually are found in many cosmetic products and personal care.
The family of preservatives known as parabens, including methyl-ethyl-, propyl-and butylparaben, has recently been identified as xenoestrogens that mimics the sex hormone estrogen. They are widely used in shampoos and cosmetic products for adults and children, even in many so-called "natural". However, Dr. S. Oishi, Department of Toxicology, Tokyo Metropolitan Research Laboratory of Public Health, the Japan, said that the daily production of sperm in the laboratory testing of animals was significantly lower among those receiving a dose of parabens, which is "like the lower level of the ADI for parabens in the European Community and Japan. "
Diethanolamine (DEA) is often used as an emulsifier and foaming agent in shampoos. However, a federal National Toxicology Program conducted a 1998 study that found an association between cancer in laboratory animals and topical application of DEA and DEA-related ingredients other. DEA can also lead to the formation of nitrosamines, which are known carcinogens. In response, many manufacturers switched Cocamide MEA. However, the FDA indicates that cocomide MEA is "one of the most commonly used ingredients that may contain DEA. I. Other
Posted on January 7, 2010.
