News Coverage
Chemical Concerns in Cosmetics
Published November 29, 2007
JACKSONVILLE, FL -- You may think the hairspray, nail polish or make-up you use is safe, but it could contain toxic chemicals. Many have been banned in Europe but are still being used here.
The Food and Drug Administration does not require cosmetic companies to do extensive testing before their products hit the store shelves.
In Europe the laws are much more strict where nearly 1200 dangerous chemicals are banned from cosmetics; chemicals such as phthalates. California recently started requiring warning labels but not other states.
Dr. Steven Masley of Carillon Executive Health says, "The phthalates we know are associated with reproductive problems, cancer risk, many issues are associated with that including metabolism."
Some phthalates are sold in the U.S. in products like O.P.I. nail polish to make it flexible, but when it's sold in Europe the company removes the phthalate.
There's a website to make it easier to understand which products are safer. Go to www.ewg.org/reports/skindeep.
Dr. Masley says, "You can just kind of go through the list. There's dozens of them and find products that are safe and have been tested."
The Environmental Working Group ranks 14,000 personal care products based on health concerns and chemical levels. Green means lower chemical concern; click on red for the highest chemical concern.
While the chemical industry maintains phthalates are safe, O.P.I. has agreed to remove phthalates from nail products.
