This information is taken from a number of sources and has been compiled over a number of years so it will be divided into 2 parts. As a cosmetics formulator I find it interesting but very suspect. But according to FDA statistics, almost 90% of the more than 15,000 ingredients used in personal care products have not been evaluated for safety by the Food and Drug Administration, the Industry-appointed Cosmetic Ingredient Review panel, or anyone else. What this means is that only 10% of the well over 15,000 chemical ingredients used by the cosmetics industry are tested for safety, and it is alleged that many products may contain carcinogens, reproductive toxins, and other toxic chemicals. The FDA has no authority to regulate the personal care products consumers use every day. There are groups such as the Campaign for Safe Cosmetics that try to oversee this. In fact, according to Deep Skin, the world's largest online cosmetic safety database, one of every 100 products on the market contains ingredients certified by government authorities as known or probable human carcinogens, including shampoos, lotions, make-up foundations, and lipsticks and balms. But if you look at the list, you will find that almost every cosmetic ingredient may cause potential harm (if you look close enough). Much of it is overly exaggerated.At the same time that these alleged untested chemicals have been steadily introduced into our environment, breast cancer incidence has dramatically risen. Is this coincidence? In recent years, a growing amount of evidence has surfaced and has linked pollutants and man-made chemicals in our environment to the increasing risk of breast cancer and other diseases. But the link to cosmetics still needs to be proven.In the United States major loopholes in federal laws allow the cosmetics industry to put unlimited amounts of chemicals that have been linked to cancer and reproductive harm into personal care products. Again, this may be a possible exaggeration. The FDA does not approve, review or certify (except color additives) what goes into cosmetics before they are marketed, cannot compel companies to provide health effects data and cannot recall personal care products. They can, however, issue warning letters that would allow companies to voluntarily withdraw their products from the market if deemed hazardous. On the reverse side, it is a fact that many of the major companies, once they hear of an ingredient that can pose potential harm to the consumer, voluntarily remove any suspect ingredient before they even go to market because the concern for consumer welfare is of the utmost importance.
So where can some known and suspected carcinogens and reproductive toxins be found along with some safeguards?
* Acrylamide - a known carcinogen, mutagen and male reproductive toxin - Found in nature in many food products, it is regularly used in manufacturing hair products, hand and body lotions, and sunscreen products, and used as a water soluble film former. But there are so many other equally effective safe film formers.
* Dibutyl Phthalate - a reproductive toxin used in perfumes, hair spray and deodorant - impairs fertility and causes developmental toxicity in male offspring. It has also been used in Nail Polish but in many cases has been reformulated out and replaced with other safer ingredients.
* Ethylene Oxide - a known breast carcinogen - is commonly used to manufacture popular brands of shampoo. EtO, as it is commonly referred to, is a main constituent in many emulsifiers - the higher the ethoxylation, the more solubility in water. High levels are known to cause irritation so use levels are usually low and controlled. The gas is known to kill bacteria and used in a process to treat contaminated products.
* Lead Acetate - a known carcinogen and reproductive toxin due to its Lead content - it can still be found in Original Grecian Formula 16 and used as a color additive (21 CFR Part 73.2396 for scalp only). It can be replaced with other harmless fillers using other black organic dyes.
* Parabens - Very recently there have also been questions and issues as to whether Parabens (or Hydroxybenzoate Esters shown below where R = methyl, ethyl, propyl, butyl, etc.) also fall into this category of alleged breast carcinogen. Parabens are very common and effective preservatives that at one time could be found as the major preservatives in almost every type of cosmetic product. There are now suitable and effective replacements for Parabens that are seeing more use in cosmetics.
Date: Feb 16, 2009 Source: SpecialChem Author: Nick Morante
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