Maine news, sports, weather | Kennebec Journal, Augusta, Maine

Looking healthy might be hazardous to your health

BY MECHELE COOPER Staff Writer

BY MECHELE COOPER

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Staff photo illustration by Sharon Wood

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A full description of the analytical methods and  results are available at www.CleanAndHealthyME.org.
“That’s a Killer Look” is available at www.CleanAndHealthyME.org and web.colby.edu/cleanmakeup.
To learn more about Maine’s Chemicals of High Concern List visit http://www.maine.gov/dep/oc/safechem/highconcern/

 

Products analyzed for the “That’s a Killer Look” report:

• Sinful Colors Professional Nail Enamel
• Details Bath and Body Tropical Garden Hand and Body Lotion
• Salon Grafix Professional Freezing Hair Spray
• Burt’s Bees Coconut Foot Cream
• Aveeno Active Naturals, Positively nourishing smoothing body wash, pomegranate plus rice.
• L’Oreal Feria Permanent Haircolour Gel-Multi-Faceted Shimmering Color 3X Highlights, Bright black\21 Cooler
• Fantasia Frizz Buster Serum
• Secret “Scent Expressions” Invisible Solid, Rockstar Rose, Antiperspirant/Deodorant
• Garnier Fructis Daily Care Fortifying Shampoo for normal hair
• L’Oreal Vive Pro Nutri Gloss Conditioner medium-long hair that’s damaged.
• Maybelline Lipstick w/sunscreen, Moisture Extreme SPF 15 color A78 “Wine on Ice.”
• Axe Clix Deodorant Body Spray.

Staff Writer

Local advocates and college students are challenging the safety of chemicals used in everyday shampoos, cosmetics and personal-care products, which they say are toxic and possibly cancer-causing.

A group calling themselves "Women Against Toxic Cosmetics Harm" shipped 12 of their favorite products to an environmental testing laboratory in California to be analyzed.

They released the results last month in "That's A Killer Look: Study of Chemicals in Personal Care Products," which said at least seven of the 12 products contained chemicals deemed hazardous by the state of Maine.

Seven of the products contained chemicals linked to cancer; seven had chemicals linked to reproductive or developmental problems. Eight had chemicals subject to restriction or warning. And all contained at least one chemical linked to allergic reactions or immune system problems.

Sarah Hart, a Colby senior majoring in biology with a concentration in environmental science, said she studied the issue as part of a course she took with Colby professor Gail Carlson about environment and human health.

Hart, of Santa Barbara, Calf., also interned for the Alliance for a Clean and Healthy Maine, where she summarized scientific studies on the health effects of toxic chemicals called perfluorinates, which are used for nonstick surfaces such as pans, furniture, cosmetics, household cleaners and food containers.

Brand names include Teflon, Stainmaster, Scotchgard and SilverStone.

"After reading so many scientific studies describing toxics, I became very concerned about our exposure to toxics in consumer products, especially because body-burden studies show that they get into our blood," Hart said.

Hart said women are exposing themselves to dangerous chemicals that cause health problems because there is no federal safety regulations for cosmetic ingredients. The FDA has banned or restricted only 11 cosmetic ingredients in the United States, she said.

"Companies do not have to prove a personal care product is safe before it is sold," Hart said.

The Food and Drug Administration classifies cosmetics and personal care products, but does not regulate them. In 1938, the FDA granted self-regulation to the Cosmetics, Toiletries and Fragrance Association, the self-appointed industry organization.

Wayne Stevenson of the FDA Cosmetics Registration Section said "The cosmetic manufacturers aren't required to submit safety data to the FDA, so we don't really know what sorts of tests they run. When they run tests, they keep the results in their own files."

With the exception of color additives and a few prohibited ingredients, he said a cosmetic manufacturer may use almost any raw material as a cosmetic ingredient and market the product without an approval from FDA.

What this means is that the industry does not have to account to anyone, not even the FDA.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has no labeling regulations, but can take action against false labeling. For example, FDA spokeswoman Mary Yebba said action has been taken against companies that sell nail products that have formaldehyde, a suspected cancer causing ingredient.

Linda Loretz of the Personal Care Products Council defends the cosmetics industry. She said only low levels of toxins have been found in personal care products.

"They simply don't raise any safety issues," Loretz said.

She said the cosmetics industry frequently has to defend itself against criticism. "I think we're defending ourselves against things that we shouldn't need to," Loretz said.

Anne Sheldon, community organizer for Maine Women's Lobby and Policy Center, said her organization is involved in the issue because of its connection to women's health.

Sheldon said toxic chemicals in personal care products are linked to hormone disruption, fertility challenges, infertility, and cervical and breast cancer.

The Campaign for Safe Cosmetics lists its "chemicals of concern" and their long-term health concerns on its website, www.safecosmetics.org.

"When you read this laundry list of the potential hazards, it is clear why the voice of young women is so essential in the call for reform in the cosmetics industry," Sheldon said. "We are the ones who have been, and will continue to be, harmed by this reckless lack of regulation."

Sheldon said organic and safer care products are cost prohibitive, especially for young people. Moreover, she said products labeled as natural or marketed to look organic often include toxic and harmful chemicals.

"These reasons make it clear that this is not a consumer movement, it has to be a political one," she said. "The only way we can ensure that our products are safe is with needed political intervention."

A new Maine law -- the Kids Safe Products Bill -- has the state Department of Environmental Protection assembling a list of priority chemicals to compel manufacturers to disclose when they add them to their products. It also authorizes the state to require safer alternatives if available, she said.

"This is a really important opportunity to bring their attention to the issue of personal care products and toxic chemicals and make sure that some of the worst offenders in our shampoo, lotion, and deodorant are on that list," Sheldon said.

Mechele Cooper -- 623-3811, ext. 408

mcooper@centralmaine.com