COSMETICS FULL OF SUSPECT CHEMICALS, GROUP SAYS
By Maggie Fox, Reuters, Thursday, July 11, 2002
WASHINGTON — Cosmetics ranging from perfume to hair gel contain chemicals
shown to cause birth defects in animals, a group that lobbies on health issues
said Wednesday. It listed 52 products that contain phthalates, which
are used to make fragrances last longer and to soften plastics. Only one
listed phthalates on the label. Although there is no evidence that
phthalates are harmful to humans, the group argues that they should be removed
from cosmetics until they can be shown to be safe.
Health Care Without Harm, a coalition of health, religious, labor, and environmental
groups, has been lobbying against phthalates for years. It cites tests that
show the chemicals can cause defects in animals, most often abnormalities
of the male reproductive organs, and cites evidence that certain birth defects
such as hypospadias are increasing in the United States. Hypospadias
is a condition where the urethra does not extend to the end of the penis.
The group commissioned a test of 72 products, including lotion, nail polish,
and deodorant. Fifty-two were found to contain phthalates. These products
could potentially hurt both developing fetuses and nursing infants, they
said. "Chemicals that can damage the development and future fertility of
babies don't belong in products marketed to women," the group's Bryony Schwan
told reporters. "Phthalate-free products that perform as well are on the
market for virtually every single phthalate-containing product."
A panel of the National Toxicology Program found in 1999 that some phthalates
— which are a group of several different chemicals — had clear reproductive
effects in rats and mice. The American Chemistry Council denied the
use of chemicals in cosmetics can hurt people. "Phthalates are among the
most widely studied materials in the world and have been researched and tested
for more than 50 years," a council statement said.
CDC FINDS PHTHALATES IN WOMEN'S BLOOD
In a large-scale survey of just what chemicals can be found in people's blood,
the CDC found surprisingly high levels of phthalates, although not enough
to cause immediate concern. "The only thing of concern that came up
was this CDC report showing that women of child-bearing age had higher levels
of dibutyl phthalates in their blood," said a spokesman for the U.S. Food
and Drug Administration (FDA). The official asked not to be named. "The problem
is the study didn't say where they came from, and the use of phthalates is
ubiquitous," the official said.
Last September, the FDA determined most patients do not seem to be at risk
from phthalates in IV tubing and other medical equipment, with the possible
exception of children undergoing medical procedures such as blood transfusions.
The FDA said Cosmetic Ingredient Review, an independent body that reviews
the safety of ingredients used in cosmetics, would take a new look at phthalates
this year and a representative of the agency would be there. Worried
about evidence that phthalates could leach out of plastic, the European Union
in 1999 banned their use in some baby toys designed to be put into the mouth,
and recently extended the ban.
Health Care Without Harm names the products tested at the Internet Web site
http://www.nottoopretty.org/. The industry's reply can be found at http://www.phthalates.org.
Opportunities for discussion of this, and information about other topics
are available from:
Toxics Information Project (TIP), Tel. 401-351-9193 or E-Mail:
TIP@toxicsinfo.org