Chemicals enter our bodies through the air we breathe, the soil, food, and through our skin.

As more and more of us are becoming aware of the chemicals in our lives, from air and water pollution, to the cleaning products used around our homes, to the amounts of pesticides and fertilizers used on our food, on cotton etc., we may be overlooking the very things we use on our bodies. The growing concern about the chemicals used in everyday products has been brought painfully to light. Studies by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and the Environmental Working Group (EWG) are clarifying the dangers.*

Chemicals enter our bodies through the air we breathe, the soil, food, and through our skin. These accumulate in our bodies, in our blood and fatty tissues… this chemical load is now called the “body burden.” This burden is revealing the causal connections between chemical exposure and health problems.

As a result, EWG, The Breast Cancer Fund and others have joined together to create “The Campaign for Safe Cosmetics” to raise awareness. They point to such chemicals as phthalates, commonly used in nail polish, perfumes, hairspray and their hormone disrupting effects. These “endocrine disruptors” can have damaging effects even in small doses, resulting in problems with reproductive health and fetal development.

Women are at particular risk. According to a survey of more than 2,300 people, conducted by the EWG and five other public health and environmental organizations, the average adult who responded uses nine personal care products daily, exposing herself to 126 chemicals every day – the majority of which are not adequately tested for safety. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) doesn’t have authority over the chemical compilations used in cosmetics and body products. The FDA cannot require companies to do safety testing of ingredients or products before they are put on store shelves. The makers of these products are essentially in a self regulating industry.

At a press conference this past June, Janet Nudelman, Director of Program at The Breast Cancer Fund, explained that “according to 2000 FDA statistics, 89% of the over 10,500 ingredients used in personal care products have not been evaluated for safety by the industry-appointed Cosmetic Ingredient Review Panel (CIR) or anyone else.” She went on to say that the cosmetics industry alone uses more than 5,000 chemicals in products – from shampoo, shaving cream, lotions and lipstick – many of which “are also used in industrial manufacturing processes to grease gears, clean industrial equipment, stabilize pesticides and soften plastics.”

“It is particularly egregious that, in this time of a growing breast cancer epidemic, products marketed specifically to women contain [known and suspected] breast carcinogens.”

U.S. companies should be held accountable to their consumers, and these companies even have an exemplary policy to follow. The European Union has already passed legislation (the Cosmetics Directive) which bans chemicals, commonly found in cosmetics, known to or strongly suspected of causing cancer, mutation or birth defects. As a result, pressure on manufacturers is mounting, not just regarding the safety of products in Europe, but also in the U.S. and globally.

The reality is that this is an industry and social problem. It will take public education and empowerment to drive legislative policy to force changes in the industry and to greater protect our health. As consumers and investors, we can make cosmetic and personal care product companies listen. So speak up. We need your commitment to demand safer products, and your personal lifestyle choices will make a difference.

Deodorant ‘may be linked to breast cancer’

A link has been found between aluminium in deodorants and cancer, according to British scientists. Tests found that women who used deodorants had deposits of aluminium in their outer breasts. The samples were taken from women who had undergone a mastectomy for breast cancer…

See the full article at the Daily Mail, printed on Sept 3, 2007 here….

For years, many men and women have attempted to improve their appearances. But, in their quest for perfection, they have not stopped to consider the consequences of routinely using their shampoos, moisturizing creams, toothpastes or cosmetics. Could the tube of lipstick, moisturizing lotion or baby shampoo be exacting a price on our health?

This very well may be the case. While environmental pollutants and toxins can be easily absorbed through the air, our water and our food, they can also come from other unlikely sources. Launching an investigation of the chemicals found in cosmetics and personal care products, researchers have reported some shocking discoveries. Industrial chemicals, long banned and at 100 times the allowable amounts, can be found in many of the products we use every day.

Cosmetic chemistry is nothing more that a blend of industrial chemicals. Propylene glycol, a humectant found in most moisturizers, is an industrial anti-freeze and is also used for deicing airplanes. The Material Safety Data Sheet, issued by the chemical’s manufacturer, states that it is systemic, and “through skin contact, it causes liver abnormalities and kidney damage in laboratory animals.”

Other ingredients have also raised cause for alarm. Dioxane, found in baby shampoos, has been determined by the FDA to be an animal carcinogen. In a 1978 study done at the Unilever Research Laboratory (present owner of Elizabeth Arden), a common surfactant, Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS) found in most cleansers, toothpastes and shampoos was found to irritate the skin, corrode the hair and contribute to significant hair loss. Further tests indicated that it can keep children’s eyes from developing properly and contributed to the development of cataracts in some adults. In children under the age of six, SLS prevents proteins from linking up properly. Furthermore, it was found to mix with other chemicals present in shampoos to form nitrosamines, a human carcinogen. This very same ingredient is used in research clinics to irritate skin for healing tests. It is also used to degrease automobile engines and clean garage floors because of its corrosive nature.

Another common ingredient in most moisturizers, mineral oil, comes from crude oil (petroleum) used in industry as a metal cutting fluid. It may suffocate the skin by forming an oil film. Healthy skin needs oxygen, and to release carbon dioxide it should not be inhibited. Holding large amounts of moisture in the skin can “flood” the biology and may result in immature, unhealthy, sensitive skin that dries out easily. Glycerin (synthetic/non-natural) acts in a similar fashion, drawing moisture from inside the skin and holding it on the surface for a better feel. While these two ingredients may not necessarily be toxic, they can dry the skin from the inside out, and ultimately cause premature aging.

There is cause for concern. The average woman applies more than two hundred chemicals a day to her body, (men, somewhat fewer), most of which initiate an immune response. In this day of chemical overload, it is ridiculous to think that this toxic abuse is not affecting our health.

So what do we do now? Throw away our make-up and go “au natural?” No, alternatives are out there, we just need to take the initiative to educate ourselves in a little biochemistry, read labels, learn about ingredients, scan a few reports and attend a few lectures. Then when it is time to replace those products, it will be done with knowledge. No, we don’t have to give up our skin care products, we just need to be informed and choose wisely. We then need to teach this valued information to our children and others we care about.

How can you tell when a product that claims to be natural, really is? You might try reading the label, but unless you are a chemist, this may get a little confusing. Ingredients in skin care and beauty products are listed by the chemical names. An all-natural product should stand out from the rest because it should contain more easily recognizable ingredients. But if you want to be sure, you should carefully scrutinize the label and research any ingredients that you are unsure about. Here are a few in particular to avoid:

1,4-dioxane: This carcinogen is found in many cosmetics as a by-product of other chemical combinations. Products that use Ethoxylated surfactants as foaming agents or emulsifiers often produce 1,4-doixane in the manufacturing process. This chemical is considered toxic if it is inhaled, absorbed through the skin or ingested.

Alcohol, Isopropyl (SD-40): This drying agent is a common ingredient in many cosmetic products. When used directly on the skin, it strips off the outer most protective layer, exposing the body to bacteria, fungus, molds, and other toxins. It is derived from petroleum and may promote brown spots or premature aging.

Anionic Surfactants: surfactants are used in about 90% of foaming personal care products. They are also used in car washes, garage floor cleaners, and as engine degreasers. Common anionic surfactants include: Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS), Sodium Laureth Sulfate (SLES), Ammonium Lauryl Sulfate (ALS), Ammonium Laureth Sulfate (ALES), Sodium Methyl Cocoyl Taurate, Sodium Lauroyl Sarcosinate, Sodium Cocoyl Sarcosinate, Potassium Coco Hydrolysed Collagen, TEA (Triethanolamine) Lauryl Sulfate, TEA (Triethanolamine) Laureth Sulfate, Lauryl or Cocoyl Sarcosine, Disodium Oleamide Sulfosuccinate, Disodium Laureth Sulfosuccinate, and Disodium Dioctyl Sulfosuccinate. Avoid all of these ingredients if they are on the label.

Cationic Surfactants: These surfactants are commonly used in hair conditioning products as they have anti-static properties. However, they are synthetic, irritating to hair follicles, and toxic. Long-term use can cause hair to become dry and brittle. Common cationic surfactants include Stearalkonium chloride, Benzalkonium chloride, Cetrimonium chloride, Cetalkonium chloride, and Lauryl dimonium hydrolysed collagen.

Chloromethylisothiazolinone and Isothiazolinone: these two harmful chemicals can be corrosive to the eyes and skin. Long term exposure can cause permanent eye damage and third degree burns to skin. They can be fatal if ingested and they can cause damage to the mucous membranes of the lungs if inhaled.

DEA (diethanolamine), MEA (Monoethanolamine), & TEA (triethanolamine): These chemicals are often used in personal care cleansers to adjust the pH of the formula. They can cause allergic reactions, eye irritation, dryness, and toxicity if used over long periods. These known carcinogens are already restricted in Europe but they may still be found in the formulas of American and Asian cosmetics.

Diazolidinyl urea and DMDM Hydantoin: These chemicals contain formaldehyde, a toxic carcinogen, and it can cause dermatitis, burning, irritation of the mucous membranes, inflammation, and watering of the eyes.

Ethoxylated surfactants: These surfactants are commonly used in cosmetic formulas as foaming agents, emulsifiers, and humectants. They may be listed on the ingredient label as “PEG”, “polyethylene”, “polyethylene glycol”, “polyoxyethylene”, “-eth-”, or “-oxynol.” These chemicals form 1,4-dioxane (a known carcinogen) as a byproduct in the manufacturing process.

FD&C Color Pigments: These synthetic color pigments are made from coal tar. They contain heavy metal salts that leave toxic byproducts on the skin. These chemicals have been tested on animals and found to cause cancer.

Formaldehyde: This is another cancer causing agent that is commonly found in commercial make-up products. It can cause allergic reactions, headaches, and chronic fatigue.

Imidazolidinyl urea: This chemical releases another harmful chemical, formaldehyde, as a byproduct in the manufacturing process. It may be listed under the trade name Germall 115.

Lanolin: Lanolin is used in many commercial cosmetic formulas, and it is often considered harmless. However, it is obtained from the wool of sheep and is therefore contaminated with the pesticide DDT unless it is obtained from organic sources.

Mineral Oil: Also called liquid parrafinum, mineral oil is a byproduct of petroleum that coats the skin like plastic. It disrupts the skin’s natural ability to purge itself of toxins, slows down cell function and can cause premature aging. Mineral oil can also be found in paraffin wax, paraffin oil and petrolatum.

Nitrosating Agents: Chemicals that cause nitrosamine contamination have been found in laboratory tests to cause cancer. Nitrosamines can be found in the following chemical ingredients: 2-bromo-2-nitropropane-1,3-diol, Cocoyl Sarcosine, DEA compounds, Imidazolidinyl Urea, Formaldehyde, Hydrolysed Animal Protein, Lauryl Sarcosine, MEA compounds, Quaternium-7, 15, 31, 60, etc, Sodium Lauryl Sulfate, Ammonium Lauryl Sulfate, Sodium Laureth Sulfate, Ammonium Laureth Sulfate, Sodium Methyl Cocoyl Taurate, and TEA compounds.

Paraben preservatives (methyl, propyl, butyl, and ethyl): These chemicals are often used in cosmetic formulas to inhibit microbial formation and extend the shelf life of the make-up products. They are commonly used in commercial applications even though they are known to be highly toxic and to cause allergic reactions and skin rashes.

Polyethylene Glycol (PEG) compounds: This petroleum product is used in commercial cleaners to break up grease and in spray on oven cleaners. Over time, this chemical can cause premature aging when used in personal care products.

Propylene/Butylene Glycol: This chemical compound is considered so toxic by the EPA that it mandates that its workers wear protective equipment when handling it. It is a petroleum product that penetrates the skin easily and can cause brain, liver, and kidney malfunctions. This ingredient is often found in stick deodorants where it can cause acute and chronic health hazards.

Rancid Natural Emollients: Creams and other commercial cosmetics made from refined vegetable oils contain harmful transfatty acids. Polyunsaturated oils can also oxidize quickly, causing free-radical damage to the skin and premature aging. They are also missing the essential nutrients, fatty acids, and vitamins that help protect and moisturize the skin.

Silicone derived emollients: Like other emollients, these products coat the skin like plastic wrap, and disrupt the skin’s ability to breathe and release toxins. They can accumulate in the liver and lymph nodes and promote the development of tumors. Common silicone derived emollients include Dimethicone, Dimethicone Copolyol, and Cyclomethicone.

Sodium Laureth Sulfate (SLES) Ammonium Laureth Sulfate (ALES): When combined with other ingredients, these chemicals form nitrosating agents and have a carcinogenic effect on the body. Be especially wary of semi-natural products that claim to be derived from coconut oil.

Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS) Ammonium Lauryl Sulfate (ALS): These chemicals can alter the immune system and cause damage to the eyes, digestive system, nervous system, lungs, and skin. They are commonly found in foaming personal care products. And may be listed as ingredients on semi-natural products that claim to come from coconut oil.

Stearalkonium Chloride: Originally developed as a fabric softener, this chemical is often found in hair conditioners and creams. They are toxic chemicals that can cause allergic reactions on contact.

Toluene: This chemical can be particularly dangerous if inhaled or absorbed through the skin. Aspiration can cause chemical pneumonitis, a fatal disorder. It is highly flammable in both liquid and vapor form and it may affect the liver, kidneys, nervous system, and blood. Overexposure can cause fatigue, confusion, headache, dizziness, or numbness. Severe overexposure can cause coma and death. Exposure to toulene can also affect the proper development of a growing fetus.

For more information on natural skin care go to http://www.skin-care-support.org .

About The Author

Dr. Group, the founder/CEO and clinical director for the Global Healing Center, heads a research and development team producing advanced, new, natural health protocols and products. To learn more visit http://www.ghchealth.com

Personal care and hygiene products from toothpaste to eyeshadow contain thousands of largely unregulated chemicals that could pose serious damage to your health.

That lipstick or nail polish you may be wearing — are they a danger to your health? How about your deodorant, toothpaste, body lotion, soap?

Seemingly innocuous personal-care products contain a host of largely unregulated chemicals and toxic ingredients. Some of those chemicals — phthalates, formaldehyde, petroleum, parabens, benzene and lead — have been variously linked to breast cancer, endometriosis, reproductive disorders, birth defects and developmental disabilities in children.

Women and girls should be particularly concerned, as our bodies are uniquely susceptible to certain environmental chemicals. Women have a greater percentage of fat in comparison to men, so fat-soluble chemicals such as parabens and toluene tend to be more readily absorbed and fatty breast tissue can be a long-term storage site for some of the more persistent toxic chemicals. Hormones also play a role: Synthetic chemicals such as alkylphenols (found in some detergents) and bisphenol A (found in hard plastics) can mimic natural estrogens in the body — and excess estrogen can play a role in the development of breast cancer. Childbearing women may also pass toxins to fetuses in utero or to newborns when breastfeeding.

But U.S. consumers are left in the dark about vital safety information: Cosmetic companies are not required to label many of their products’ ingredients, and the Food and Drug Administration does not mandate premarket safety testing of those ingredients.

And that’s why the California Safe Cosmetics Act is such a landmark achievement.

Signed into law by Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger last October and taking effect in 2007, it requires manufacturers to disclose product ingredients found on state or federal lists of chemicals that cause cancer or birth defects. The law further authorizes the state to investigate the health impacts of chemicals in cosmetics, and requires manufacturers to supply health-related information about their ingredients. Finally, the act enables the state to regulate products in order to assure the safety of salon workers.

California is the first state in the nation to pass such legislation, thus serving as a model for the other 49. “This is an important disclosure bill, and an important victory for women’s health,” says Jeanne Rizzo of the Breast Cancer Fund. “California has set the stage for states to assert regulatory authority around toxic chemicals in cosmetics, which the federal government has thus far refused to lead on.”

Adds California state Sen. Carole Migden, who championed the legislation, “It is beyond belief that consumers are not being told whether or not they are putting carcinogens on their skin, in their hair or on their face. [The law] represents a triumph of grassroots efforts over money and power. Even in the face of a multinationally funded lobbying machine, common sense and the public good prevailed.”

While many known toxic components have been banned in Europe from use in personal care products, similar ingredients remain legal in products marketed to the American public. Currently, the FDA does not review the ingredients in cosmetic and beauty-care products, but instead relies on self-regulation by the cosmetic industry’s own Cosmetic Ingredient Review (CIR) panel. According to the watchdog Environmental Working Group, only 11 percent of the 10,500-plus ingredients that the FDA has documented in personal-care products have been assessed for safety by the CIR panel.

In response to the lack of government oversight, an international Campaign for Safe Cosmetics was initiated in 2002 to pressure the personal-care industry to phase out known toxic ingredients and replace them with safer alternatives. Manufacturers have been encouraged to sign the “Compact for Safe Cosmetics,” and to date more than 300 have done so, including The Body Shop, Burt’s Bees and Aubrey Organics.

Migden authored the California Safe Cosmetics Act (S.B. 484) in 2004, with co-sponsorship by Breast Cancer Action, Breast Cancer Fund and the National Environmental Trust. They joined with other public-health, environmental, consumer, Asian Pacific Islander, teen and faith-based groups in a yearlong organizing and lobbying campaign — which met aggressive opposition from the Cosmetic, Toiletry and Fragrance Association. The industry group spent more than $600,000 trying to defeat the bill, even going so far as to host a website to capture searchers looking for the Campaign for Safe Cosmetics. In contradiction to a growing body of science, the website claims that the personal-care products sold in California are the safest in the world.

Julia Liou, of Oakland-based Asian Health Services, advocated particularly for provisions in the bill designed to protect the safety of nail-salon and cosmetology workers. “We realize that Asian nail-salon workers and owners are not fully aware of the long-term health risks facing their sector,” says Liou. Currently, of the more than 83,500 manicurists in California, 80 percent are of Vietnamese descent, more than half of whom are of reproductive age.

Nail-salon and cosmetology workers handle solvents, chemical solutions and glues on a daily basis, yet little research has been conducted on the chronic health effects of such exposures. There is also a dearth of culturally and linguistically appropriate educational materials to build awareness about environmental exposures and help workers and salon owners implement safety precautions.

Most of the Vietnamese salon workers earn less than $15,700 a year, speak limited English and lack health coverage. Their voices went largely unheard in the safe-cosmetics debate, and some salon owners actually came out against the bill — “based on misinformation and fear about how it might impact small immigrant-owned businesses,” says Liou. “So it is important for us to work with salon workers and owners in a way that empowers them to be leaders and advocates themselves.” In an effort to do so, the California Healthy Nail Salons Collaborative was formed, and now advocates for greater work- place safety, protective policies, research and community education.

The passage of the California Safe Cosmetics Act sets the stage for further advocacy around cosmetic safety, occupational exposures and chemical policy reform. Those who fought to pass it are now working to ensure its adequate funding and enforcement, and hope to see it replicated in other states.

For more information, visit: Campaign for Safe Cosmetics; California Health Nail Salons Collaborative, jliou@ahschc.org; Skin Deep, a database of the Environmental Working Group providing a safety assessment of personal-care product ingredients. To access the California Safe Cosmetics Act: www.leginfo.ca.gov/bilinfo.html.

About the Author

Anuja Mendiratta is a senior program officer with the Women’s Foundation of California and on the steering committee of the California Health Nail Salons Collaborative; she is also a freelance writer.