Friday, March 27, 2009

Getting Contaminants Out Of Children’s Bath & Personal Care Products


If you have small Babies or Children you have to read this. It's full article and it's scary!!!


Findings on 1,4-dioxane


The carcinogen 1,4-dioxane can occur as a byproduct of a process called ethoxylation, during which various chemicals are processed with ethylene oxide to make them more soluble and, in the case of personal care products, to make them gentler on people’s skin.
According to a 1998 memorandum from a California State health official, 1,4-dioxane "is readily absorbed through the lungs, skin and gastrointestinal tract of mammals."52 The federal Consumer Product Safety Commission reports that "the presence of 1,4-dioxane, even as a trace contaminant, is cause for concern."53 However, the FDA has not established or recommended a "safe" level of 1,4-dioxane in cosmetics.54
1,4-dioxane is widely recognized as a carcinogen in animal studies, and expert panels consider it to be a known or probable human carcinogen:
• The Environmental Protection Agency classifies 1,4-dioxane as a "probable human carcinogen," based on "induction of nasal cavity and liver carcinomas in multiple strains of rats, liver carcinomas in mice, and gall bladder carcinomas in guinea pigs."55
• The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, National Toxicology Program, lists 1,4-dioxane as "reasonably anticipated to be a human carcinogen." The report notes: "There is sufficient evidence for the carcinogenicity of 1,4-dioxane in experimental animals."56


• According to the International Agency for Research on Cancer, an initiative of the World Health Organization,1,4-dioxane is "possibly carcinogenic to humans."57
• The State of California’s Environmental Protection Agency lists 1,4-dioxane on its publicly mandated annual list of chemicals known to cause cancer or reproductive toxicity (often referred to as the Proposition 65 list).58
• According to the New Jersey Department of Health and Senior Services, 1,4-dioxane "should be handled as a carcinogen–with extreme caution."59

1,4-dioxane Offenders

Lab results indicate that 1,4-dioxane was found in lotion, shampoo, bath wash, liquid and hand soap, bubble bath, hair relaxer and sun block. 1,4-dioxane can exist in other types of products or in other samples of products where there was none detected in Campaign tests, due to variability in batches.
• American Girl Hopes and Dreams Glistening Shower and Bath Wash
• American Girl Real Beauty Inside and Out Shower Gel – Apple Blossom (three samples)
• American Girl Real Beauty Inside and Out Shower Gel – Sunny Orange
• Aveeno Baby Soothing Relief Creamy Wash (three samples)
• Baby Magic "Soft Baby Scent" Baby Lotion
• Barbie Berry Sweet Bubble Bath
• CVS Baby Shampoo
• CVS Kids Body Wash – Blueberry Blast
• Dora the Explorer Bubble Bath
• Equate Tearless Baby Wash
• Gentle Naturals Eczema Baby Wash
• Grins & Giggles Milk & Honey Baby Wash
• Hot Wheels Berry Blast Bubble Bath
• Huggies Naturally Refreshing Cucumber & Green Tea Baby Wash
• Johnson’s Baby Shampoo
• Johnson’s Moisture Care Baby Wash
• Johnson’s Oatmeal Baby Wash - Vanilla
• L’Oreal Kids Extra Gentle 2-in-1 Fast Dry Shampoo – Burst of Cool Melon
• Mustela Baby Shampoo
• Mustela Dermo-Cleansing Gel for Hair and Body Newborn/Baby
• Mustela Multi-Sensory Bubble Bath
• Night-time Bath Baby Wash
• No-Ad Sun Pals SPF 45 UVA/UVB Sun Protection
• Pampers Kandoo Foaming Handsoap – Magic Melon
• Sesame Street Bubble Bath – Orange Mango Tango
• Soft & Beautiful Just for Me! No-Lye Conditioning Creme Relaxer, Children’s Super
• Suave Kids 2-in-1 Shampoo – Wild Watermelon
• Tinker Bell Scented Bubble Bath

Findings on Formaldehyde

Formaldehyde can be found in a wide range of consumer products. Personal care products can be contaminated with formaldehyde when it is released from a number of common preservatives, often building up in the contents of the container after the manufacturing process is complete. Formaldehyde is also used as an ingredient in nail polishes, nail glues, eyelash glues, hair gels and many other personal care products.69
In the U.S. there are no restrictions on the levels of formaldehyde allowed in any body care products, no requirement to test products made with formaldehyde-releasing preservatives or possible formaldehyde contamination, and no obligation to include formaldehyde on the ingredient label when it occurs as a contaminant.
Skin Sensitivity
Formaldehyde in cosmetics is widely understood to cause allergic skin reactions and rashes in some people.70-72 Although concentrations of formaldehyde in personal care products are generally low, for people who are sensitive, everyday products can contain enough formaldehyde to trigger a reaction.73

One study found that formaldehyde can trigger skin reactions at levels as low as 250 ppm.74 Reactions may occur at even lower levels in especially sensitized people.75 By these estimates, at least 13 of the products tested for this report had levels of formaldehyde that could cause a reaction in sensitized people.
Formaldehyde sensitivity may not appear at the first exposure. Rather, with each additional exposure, a person may become more likely to develop a sensitivity to formaldehyde.76 To help prevent developing formaldehyde allergies, contact dermatitis specialists recommend that children avoid exposure to products containing formaldehyde.77
Multi-year studies indicate that there may be an increase in the number of people who experience skin sensitivity to formaldehyde-based preservatives.78-80 According to the Australian Department of Health and Aging, dermal (skin) exposure should be minimized or prevented wherever possible.81
Eliminating exposure to bath products that contain formaldehyde can prevent reactions.82,83

Formaldehyde Offenders

Lab results indicated that formaldehyde was found in lotion, shampoo, bath wash, baby wipes, liquid shower soap, bubble bath and hand soap. Considering the widespread use of formaldehyde-releasing preservatives, it is certain that formaldehyde is in other product types and brands beyond those tested in the current study.
• American Girl Hopes and Dreams Shimmer Body Lotion
• American Girl Real Beauty Inside and Out Shower Gel – Apple Blossom (three samples)
• Baby Magic "Soft Baby Scent" Baby Lotion (three samples)
• Barbie Berry Sweet Bubble Bath
• CVS Baby Shampoo
• CVS Kids Body Wash – Blueberry Blast
• Dora the Explorer Bubble Bath
• Equate Tearless Baby Wash
• Grins & Giggles Milk & Honey Baby Wash
• Hot Wheels Berry Blast Bubble Bath
• Huggies Naturally Refreshing Cucumber & Green Tea Baby Wash
• Huggies Soft Skin – Shea Butter
• Johnson’s Baby Shampoo (two samples)
• L’Oreal Kids Extra Gentle 2-in-1 Fast Dry Shampoo – Burst of Cool Melon
• Pampers Kandoo Foaming Handsoap – Magic Melon
• Sesame Street Bubble Bath – Orange Mango Tango
• Tinker Bell Body Lotion
• Tinker Bell Scented Bubble Bath


Double-Offenders

The following products contained both formaldehyde and 1,4-dioxane.
• American Girl Real Beauty Inside and Out Shower Gel – Apple Blossom (three samples)
• Baby Magic "Soft Baby Scent" Baby Lotion
• Barbie Berry Sweet Bubble Bath
• CVS Baby Shampoo
• CVS Kids Body Wash – Blueberry Blast
• Dora the Explorer Bubble Bath
• Equate Tearless Baby Wash
• Grins & Giggles Milk & Honey Baby Wash
• Hot Wheels Berry Blast Bubble Bath
• Huggies Naturally Refreshing Cucumber & Green Tea Baby Wash
• Johnson’s Baby Shampoo
• L’Oreal Kids Extra Gentle 2-in-1 Fast Dry Shampoo – Burst of Cool Melon
• Pampers Kandoo Foaming Handsoap – Magic Melon
• Sesame Street Bubble Bath – Orange Mango Tango
• Tinker Bell Scented Bubble Bath

Children: Not Just Little Adults

According to the National Academy of Sciences, several factors contribute to children’s exceptional vulnerability to the harmful effects of chemicals:103
• A child’s chemical exposures are greater pound-for-pound than those of an adult.
• Children are less able than adults to detoxify and excrete chemicals (in most cases).
• Children’s developing organ systems are more vulnerable to damage from chemical exposures.
• Children have more years of future life in which to develop disease triggered by early exposure.
In its recently updated cancer risk guidelines, the Environmental Protection Agency cites a review of 23 studies of early life exposures to cancer-causing chemicals and concludes that babies are 10 to 65 times more vulnerable to those chemicals than adults. 104 Yet the government does not impose special regulations on personal care products marketed for babies and children.
Opinion from Sweetsation Therapy: This is shocking to say the least. FDA work is so disappointing and so behind the whole world on this. And as a result our babies are suffering and will get sick in the future while Cosmetic giants make their millions. We are really glad that Campaign For Safe Cosmetics, that we are proud signers of, has put out this great article to educate mothers on these issues. Please pass this article along to all the mothers you know.

2 comments:

  1. I really enjoyed the article posted regarding harmful ingredients in personal care products. It was very informative, and I believe you are absolutely correct about the negative impact that these chemicals can have on our bodies. I have discovered several amazing reports to validate your position, and I think you would find the information fascinating. I would love to discuss this further with you. Please email me at your earliest convenience.

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  2. This is an important posting for parents to take care their child.
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