News Coverage
Chemicals In Baby Products
Published February 4, 2008
Also in health, a new warning issued for parents over some chemicals in baby products including lotion and shampoo. There are hundreds of products on store shelves just for kids. With all the choices new mom Danielle Wirtenberg worries about their ingredients. I'm using the one thing and then I hear from a friend, oh by the way, there's this chemical you shouldn't be using," mother Danielle Wirtenberg said. Now a new study is raising more concern. Doctors tested the urine of 163 babies and found more than 80 percent of them were exposed to a potentially harmful group of chemicals called phthalates used to stabilize fragrances in products. Researchers say the chemicals could have come from baby shampoo, lotion and powder. "We've researched phthalates for the past seven years," Environmental Working Group's Jane Houlihan said. The non-profit Environmental Working Group says other studies show phthalates can cause reproductive problems in boys and early puberty in girls. "There's a significant body of evidence that suggest that there's a real cause for concern," Houlihan said. But The Food and Drug Administration says it's not clear what effect, if any, phthalates have on health and as of now there is no safety risk when used in cosmetics. For concerned parents, the environmental working group says: "Avoid products that have fragrance in them because fragrance often contains phthalates," Houlihan said.