Cancer In A Bottle?

I've posted a lot about toxins in the things we put IN and ON our bodies, and so it came to no surprise to me when Rutgers University found a link between moisturizers and skin cancer. I mean, what exactly DO you expect when you apply lotions filled with parabens (Read: Cancer Causing Agents) on your skin everyday? I mean, really?

So many people are surprised by studies like these - they thought our government had a handle on it, that our government would protect them. I'm incredibly sorry to be the bearer of bad news, but the FDA only limits certain chemicals. When it comes to cosmetics and bodycare, there isn't much by way of standards and regulations for what they can put into their products.

It's up to YOU to read your own labels to know what's safe, and what's not. Ignore the label's claims about organic or organic ingredients (I'll talk more about this later), because just because an item SAYS it has organic items, it doesn't make it so (another faulty FDA law...or non-law).

Exercise your right to read the labels, and carefully. For more information about chemicals you should be watching out for, read below. And, for more information, go to Skin Deep- where you can search for your particular product to see how it rates for safety.

The Dirty Dozen Chemicals in Cosmetics

by Catherine Zandonella, M.P.H

1. Antibacterials
Overuse of antibacterials can prevent them from effectively fighting disease-causing germs like E. coli and Salmonella enterica. Triclosan, widely used in soaps, toothpastes and deodorants, has been detected in breast milk, and one recent study found that it interferes with testosterone activity in cells. Numerous studies have found that washing with regular soap and warm water is just as effective at killing germs.

2. Coal Tar
Coal tar is a known human carcinogen used as an active ingredient in dandruff shampoos and anti-itch creams. Coal-tar-based dyes such as FD&C Blue 1, used in toothpastes, and FD&C Green 3, used in mouthwash, have been found to be carcinogenic in animal studies when injected under skin.

3. Diethanolamine (DEA)
DEA is a possible hormone disruptor, has shown limited evidence of carcinogenicity and depletes the body of choline needed for fetal brain development. DEA can also show up as a contaminant in products containing related chemicals, such as cocamide DEA.

4. 1,4-Dioxane
1,4-Dioxane is a known animal carcinogen and a possible human carcinogen that can appear as a contaminant in products containing sodium laureth sulfate and ingredients that include the terms “PEG,” “-xynol,” “ceteareth,” “oleth” and most other ethoxylated “eth” ingredients. The FDA monitors products for the contaminant but has not yet recommended an exposure limit. Manufacturers can remove dioxane through a process called vacuum stripping, but a small amount usually remains. A 2007 survey by the Campaign for Safe Cosmetics found that most children’s bath products contain 10 parts per million or less, but an earlier 2001 survey by the FDA found levels in excess of 85 parts per million.

5. Formaldehyde
Formaldehyde has a long list of adverse health effects, including immune-system toxicity, respiratory irritation and cancer in humans. Yet it still turns up in baby bath soap, nail polish, eyelash adhesive and hair dyes as a contaminant or break-down product of diazolidinyl urea, imidazolidinyl urea and quaternium compounds.

6. Fragrance
The catchall term “fragrance” may mask phthalates, which act as endocrine disruptors and may cause obesity and reproductive and developmental harm. Avoid phthalates by selecting essential-oil fragrances instead.

7. Lead and Mercury
Neurotoxic lead may appear in products as a naturally occurring contaminant of hydrated silica, one of the ingredients in toothpaste, and lead acetate is found in some brands of men’s hair dye. Brain-damaging mercury, found in the preservative thimerosol, is used in some mascaras.

8. Nanoparticles
Tiny nanoparticles, which may penetrate the skin and damage brain cells, are appearing in an increasing number of cosmetics and sunscreens. Most problematic are zinc oxide and titanium dioxide nanoparticles, used in sunscreens to make them transparent. When possible, look for sunscreens containing particles of these ingredients larger than 100 nanometers. You’ll most likely need to call companies to confirm sizes, but a few manufacturers have started advertising their lack of nanoparticle-sized ingredients on labels. For a more complete discussion, see Screen Test: Reading the Micro-Fine Print.

9. Parabens
(methyl-, ethyl-, propyl-, butyl-, isobutyl-) Parabens, which have weak estrogenic effects, are common preservatives that appear in a wide array of toiletries. A study found that butyl paraben damaged sperm formation in the testes of mice, and a relative, sodium methylparaben, is banned in cosmetics by the E.U. Parabens break down in the body into p-hydroxybenzoic acid, which has estrogenic activity in human breast-cancer cell cultures.

10. Petroleum Distillates
Possible human carcinogens, petroleum distillates are prohibited or restricted for use in cosmetics in the E.U. but are found in several U.S. brands of mascara, foot-odor powder and other products. Look out for the terms “petroleum” or “liquid paraffin.”

11. P-Phenylenediamine
Commonly found in hair dyes, this chemical can damage the nervous system, cause lung irritation and cause severe allergic reactions. It’s also listed as 1,4-Benzenediamine; p-Phenyldiamine and 4-Phenylenediamine.

12. Hydroquinone
Found in skin lighteners and facial moisturizers, hydroquinone is neurotoxic and allergenic, and there’s limited evidence that it may cause cancer in lab animals. It may also appear as an impurity not listed on ingredients labels.

Source: http://www.thegreenguide.com/doc/122/dirtydozen/3

The facts are compelling:

• A study by one of our founding members revealed that one third of cosmetic products on the market contain chemicals that are linked to cancer.
• Of the more than 10,000 chemical ingredients in personal care products, 89 percent have not undergone safety testing.
• On average, American women use 12 personal care products a day, and men average six products daily. That means an adult is likely to be exposed DAILY to 126 unique chemical ingredients in personal care products alone.
• We know that the skin is not a solid barrier – it’s a penetrable organ that can easily absorb chemicals, especially with repeat exposure. Derman absorbtion is commonly used to transmit chemicals to the bloodstream, notably with nicotine and birth control patches.
• Toxic chemicals find their way into our bodies, our breast milk and our children. And diseases linked to synthetic chemicals – including breast cancer, testicular cancer and reproductive problems – are on the rise.

Source: http://www.safecosmetics.org/action/endorsementform.cfm