Are Cosmetics Safe?
Most of us are aware of the hazards of smoking, of drinking alcohol, and breathing air polluted by harmful auto and indistrial emissions. Much less well-known are the hazards we encounter in our everyday use of personal care products. Through contact with make-up, deodorant, shampoo, creams, lotions and other commonly used products, we absorb, inhale and swallow numerous toxins known to cause cancer, infertility, birth defects and nervous system disorders. Unfortunately, consumers are largely unaware of the dangers posed by these toxic substances, because in the U.S., manufacturers are not required to disclose their presence or their harmful effects.
Manufacturers claim that the poisons are in small enough quantities not to be harmful to humans, but do we really want to bathe our bodies or paint our lips with any quantity of a known carcinogen? Think of all the personal care products you use in the course of a day, of a week, of a month. If all of your shampoos, conditioners, hair colorings, lipsticks, nail polishes deodorants, perfumes and after-shaves all contain small quantities of toxins they could add up pretty quickly.
Manufacturers claim they have safety-tested their products but most have tested them only for acute reactions such as swelling, blistering and rashes. They are not required to determine the long-term effects of use. According to the "Skin Deep Report" by the Environmental Working Group a partner in the Campaign for Safe Cosmetics,"One third of personal care products contain at least one chemical linked to cancer".
These poisons are unnecessary, so why haven't we outlawed them as they have in the European Union? The Cosmetics, Toiletry and Fragrance Association (CTFA) which represents the $50 Billion cosmetics industry in the U.S., has effectively lobbied against laws that would add more consumer safety information on labels. The industry says it doesn’t need laws because it can voluntarily regulate itself.
The good news is that many companies have pledged to remove dangerous chemicals in their products. Unfortunately, there is still no monitoring of their allegiance, and worse, none of the major brands such as Estee Lauder, Revlon, L'Oreal and Proctor & Gamble have made this promise.
What can you do? Protect yourself by using cosmetics with only safe ingredients, from companies who pledge to list every ingredient, write your elected officials at every level, write the cosmetic companies, ask questions, and vote - both with your election ballot and with your purchases.