In November 2011, it was in the news that two
chemicals considered harmful and potentially cancer-causing were found in
Johnson & Johnson's Baby Shampoo sold in the U.S. and some other countries,
including Hong Kong, China, Indonesia, Canada and Australia.
The US - based the Campaign for Safe
Cosmetics has unsuccessfully been urging the world's largest health care
company for 2 1/2 years to remove the trace amounts of potentially
cancer-causing chemicals — dioxane and a substance called
quaternium-15 that releases formaldehyde — from Johnson's Baby Shampoo, one of
its signature products.
None of the products tested listed
1,4-dioxane or formaldehyde on the label.
Read the Ingredients on the Product Labels
I wrote about some of the toxic ingredients
in household cleaning products in my last blog. Herewith those ingredients particularly
harmful to babies and young children.
1,4-dioxane
is a byproduct of a petrochemical process called ethoxylation, which involves
using ethylene oxide (a known breast carcinogen) to process other chemicals in
order to make them less harsh. 1,4-dioxane is listed as "reasonably
anticipated" to be a human carcinogen, according to the U.S. Department of
Health and Human Services. It also causes allergies and is immunotoxic.
An example includes converting Sodium Laurel Sulfate
(SLS) into the gentler Sodium Laureth Sulfate (SLES) by processing it with
ethylene oxide (the "eth" denotes ethoxylation), which can result in
1,4-dioxane contamination. SLS is a notoriously harsh chemical used as car wash
cleaners and engine degreasers; SLS cleans by corrosion. They are the worst ingredients in personal
care products but they are widely used in facial and body cleansers, soaps,
hair shampoo, and bubble bath. They can penetrate the skin with even one wash,
and reach the brain, eyes, heart, and liver; it shows long term retention in
the tissues causing irreversible damages. A study was conducted at the
University of Georgia Medical College which showed that SLS penetrated young
children’s eyes and prevented them from developing properly.
Quaternium-15
is a preservative that releases formaldehyde into many personal care and cosmetics
products. Formaldehyde is classified as a known human carcinogen by the U.S.
Department of Health and Human Services and the International Agency for
Research on Cancer. The National Cancer Institute, the World Health
Organization and the National Toxicology Program have all identified a possible
link between formaldehyde exposure and leukemia.
Formaldehyde and quaternium-15 are also
potent allergens that can trigger rashes and other skin inflammation problems. It
is the single most often found cause of allergic contact dermatitis of the
hands. The North American Contact Dermatitis Group considers quaternium-15 to
be among the most clinically significant contact allergens in children. This
chemical is used in just about all personal care products even for babies,
including but not limited to facial and body cleansers, soaps, hair shampoo and
conditioner, facial and body moisturizers, baby oil, baby wipes, bubble bath.
Mineral
Oil is a common ingredient in baby care products
including baby oil, Vaseline, baby wash liquid soap and baby lotions. Mineral
oil is clear, liquid oil with no scent and will
not spoil. It is foreign to the body and has many harmful effects,
especially in infants.
Mineral oil is a known carcinogen. In
addition, it clogs the pores and slows the skin’s ability to eliminate toxins
while blocking the absorption of vitamins. This eventually leads to nutritional
deficiencies. Studies have also shown forms of lipoid pneumonia caused by
mineral oil decreasing lung function.
Propylene
Glycol (PG) and its derivatives PEG, EG, ceteareth, oleth, or xynol are all petroleum derivatives that act as solvents
and wetting agents. This means that it prevents products from drying out, and
making the skin feel moist and soft! It is commonly used in products that have
in qauternium-15 listed above plus toothpastes, deodorants, hair gel and
creams.
PG can easily penetrate the skin, and can
weaken protein and cellular structure. Studies have shown systemic retention
(residue in entire body). It is so harmful to the body that the U.S. Government
warned factory workers to avoid skin contact to prevent brain, liver and kidney
abnormalities!
Phthalates
and its derivatives including B2BP, DBP, DEP etc are
‘plasticizers’ added to plastics to soften and make them last longer. In 2008,
they were banned from children’s plastic toys in the U.S. However, they found
their way into baby products! They are used as carrier for synthetic fragrances
as well as emulsifier to give lotions, creams and soap their smooth
consistency. They are hidden in personal care products under the name of
'fragrance' or 'parfum'. These ingredients can be causing cancer, and also
affecting the developmental and reproductive systems.
Myth
vs. Fact
As with many chemicals of concern used in our
products, the companies that make these products generally argue that it's
"just a little bit" of chemicals and most of them are not banned by
law. The real reason for using all these chemicals is cost; these petroleum
derived chemicals are very cheap and serve their purposes though at the expense
of consumers.
The truth of the matter is that the toxicity
of these chemicals is well researched and confirmed. For example, when
laboratory animals were tested with 1,4-dioxane at the lowest parts per billion
levels, the animals developed cancer. The levels of 1,4-dioxane found in many
personal care products are 1,000 times higher than those found in lab animals.
In addition, the combined effects of lifetime exposure to these carcinogens can
create synergistic effect and even multiply to create greater risks.
Babies and young children are particularly
susceptible; their immune system is not as fully developed while their uptake
of these chemicals is greater as their tissues are growing and active.
In addition, many of our personal care
products contain the above toxic ingredients. There are actually many more that
I didn’t include. 1,4-Dioxine is contaminating almost 50 percent of our
household cleaning and personal care products. Imagine your baby being exposed
to all these toxins over the course of one day -- you cleanse him using
cleansers, liquid soap, shampoos and conditioners, or giving him a bubble bath;
brush his teeth; moisturizes him with cream and lotions; using Vaseline, baby
oil and baby wipes. He will be laced with toxins!
Be
an Informed and Responsible Parent
Herewith a few things you can do:
· Avoid
products that list ingredients that may be contaminated with 1,4-dioxane,
including SLS, PEG and their derivatives
·
Avoid
products that contain formaldehye-releasing preservatives, including quaternium-15
, ‘—urea’, bronopol
· Spread
this kind of information to people you know
· Educate
your children
· Buy
natural, organic and eco-friendly products
· Support
companies and organizations that rally this good cause
· Challenge
your government to set up stringent laws
