Which Kids Shampoos Have Cancer Causing Agents?
Manufacturers of children’s bath products are the latest to earn the ire of the Campaign for Safe Cosmetics, which accuses the likes of Johnson & Johnson, Gerber and Bath and Body Works of putting chemicals linked to cancer in products meant for children.
The CSC, which put out a scathing report last year on cancer-causing agents in lipsticks, has released a study this month dubbed “No More Toxic Tub,” accusing major kids bath product manufacturers of using formaldehyde and 1,4-dioxane to produce shampoos, soaps, sunscreen, bubble bath and lotions. Neither is listed on the labels, the CSC says, but actual tests of forty-eight products found trace amounts.
The Environmental Protection Agency classifies 1,4-Dioxane as a
Sigh….another ‘cancer causing agent’ product arises. I have washed my 4 month old with 2 of the products listed…..I guess it adds to the number of worries mummies face for their kids nowadays
OK, this was disturbing to me, but then I read the report and felt better. Don’t panic. Just because a product tests positive for something, doesn’t mean the level is harmful. The EU allows up to 2000 ppm of formaldehyde in cosmetics. The shampoo I use on my kid has a tenth of that level. Now that doesn’t mean it is harmless, but the EU does tend to be more cautious than the US in health regulation.
Don’t go throwing away your favorite brand in order to buy some so-called “natural” product that hasn’t even been tested independently. One message of the report is that cosmetics are not regulated like drugs, so manufacturers can *say* their product is “natural” and “safe” all the way to the bank.
We are, in fact, screwed until we get Congress to rewrite regulations to protect our safety instead of that of the manufacturers.
If you will allow this post, you can find natural products at our website. We started our business to produce as natural and safe product as possible. We do not have shampoo yet, but are thinking about adding it at a later date.
Thank you,
Ken
There is such a frightening array of chemicals in beauty and skin care products. I mostly use Dr. Bronner’s and California Baby products, plus some Burt’s Bees. Skin Deep also has a great website at http://www.cosmeticsdatabase.com/ that provides information on chemicals in many bath and beauty products.