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EU, U.S. will share safety data on cosmetics
New and improved Skin Deep database
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August 31, 2007
The Justice Roberts Skin Cancer Prevention System&trade
Chief Justice John Roberts doesn't believe sunscreens need to be regulated. Apparently he has all the protection he needs -- we hear those robes offer excellent skin cancer prevention.
In the 29 years that the FDA has been wavering on sunscreen regulations, the cosmetics industry has used some pretty crazy tactics to prevent them from passing. In 2001, for example, they hired a lawyer to threaten a lawsuit. The proposed regulations, the lawyer argued, violated the first amendment.
In 2005, that lawyer took his seat as Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of the United States of America.
That's right. As recently as 2001, Justice John Roberts was lobbying on behalf of the cosmetics industry -- a fact he failed to disclose during his hearings. Not only was Justice Roberts lobbying for the cosmetics industry, but he successfully blocked regulations that may have prevented countless cases of skin cancer.
And this is the man running our Supreme Court. Doesn't it just make you feel all safe and cozy?
Hopefully, without Roberts defending them this time around, the cosmetics industry won't be able block the FDA's recently proposed sunscreen regulations. In the meantime just follow Roberts' lead for skin cancer prevention: stay inside and swing decisions to the right.
August 23, 2007
FDA proposes sunscreen regulations
Twenty-eight years after they first pledged to implement safety standards for sunscreens, the FDA has proposed regulations that would (among other things) require manufacturers to label sunscreens based on their ability to protect consumers from UVA rays. From the LA Times story:
Under the FDA proposal, sunscreen lotions would be tested for UVA protection, as they are now tested for UVB. They would then be assigned one to four stars, with four representing the highest level of protection. Some tanning products provide no UVA protection, and the FDA is proposing such lotions bear a label indicating that they offer no safeguard against UVA rays.The proposal would also make changes to the SPF ratings for protection against sunburn. Lotions providing up to SPF 50 -- or 50 times the skin's natural protection against sunburn -- would be recognized.
In addition, the FDA is calling for a new warning on all sunscreen lotions saying that exposure to the sun increases the risk of skin cancer, as well as other damage, including premature aging. The label will say that using sunscreen is only one way to protect against the sun, and others include wearing protective clothing, such as a hat or long-sleeved shirt, and staying out of the sun, particularly during the middle of the day.
You know, it's funny, I swear I read something about sunscreen safety earlier this summer. Do you think that may have had something to do with the FDA's decision? U.S. News and World Report seems to think so:
[The] label changes were partly spurred by a report from a Washington,
D.C.-based nonprofit, the Environmental Working Group, in June. The EWG
faulted the FDA for missing a deadline imposed by Congress to set sunscreen
safety standards by last year.
In a statement released following the FDA's announcement, EWG's VP for Research Jane Houlihan had this to say:
“The proposed sunscreen safety regulations by FDA are a positive step forward, but we’ve been here before and seen FDA cave in to industry objections. [...] FDA first pledged to implement federal safety sunscreen regulations over 28 years ago and to date nothing has been finalized. We hope this time FDA moves much faster so the public can have confidence in the claims that they see on sunscreen product labels.”
Looking for a safe, effective sunscreen for those last, long beach days? Check the sunscreen database.
July 21, 2007
Saturday Morning Multimedia: Nellie gets a makeover
Sustainlane.com is a user-driven directory of green products and business -- think social bookmarking meets the yellow pages. They've got a series of videos about a community of friends, The Unsustainables. This video about cosmetics is called Skin Deep (hey! clever name!). To find out what's in your personal care products, visit EWG's Skin Deep database.
July 9, 2007
EU, U.S. will share safety data on cosmetics
Ever wonder about the safety of your imported cosmetics?
Last week, the United States and the European Union agreed to trade information on safety of cosmetics. The agreement is planned in hopes of improving trade in cosmetics. According to this Wall Street Journal article,
“Health standards for a significant number of products are at stake -- about 3 billion euros worth of cosmetics are exported to the U.S. from the EU each year, and 1.5 billion euros travel the other way.”
Besides helping trade, the new agreement will also help sharing public
health information about the products on market. Maybe this is a first step
in making U.S. cosmetics safer? To read about EWG’s cosmetics
investigations, check out our Skin Deep database.
May 21, 2007
New and improved Skin Deep database
Three years ago, EWG launched a unique online consumer database called Skin Deep that assesses and compares the safety of personal care products. To this day, Skin Deep is the only online resource for those wishing to compare safety ratings for various personal care products.
EWG just launched a major expansion of Skin Deep to cover one-quarter of the products on the market – around 25,000 products altogether. The new Skin Deep site is a thorough upgrade to the database, both in the number of products assessed and the sophistication of EWG's safety reviews.
Under the current law, the government cannot mandate safety studies of cosmetics products or their ingredients, and only 13 percent of the thousands of ingredients in personal care products have been reviewed for safety by the cosmetic industry's own review panel. Safety decisions are made behind closed doors for virtually every product on the market.
To search new database click here
March 26, 2007
What's in my shaving cream?
Wired.com's Patrick Di Justo gives us the breakdown of 11 different chemicals commonly found in shaving cream, and the functions they each serve. I've reprinted the full text below. To see what's in your shaving cream and how it stacks up to others out there vist EWG's Skin Deep Cosmetic Safety Database. Womens's shaving creams compared here.
Thick, rich, velvety – and chock-full of ingenious chemicals, by Patrick Di Justo
• Palmitic acid: This long-chain lipid is found in palm oil and animal fats. A major component in soapmaking, it helps create a thick, stable lather that enfolds follicles and holds them upright.
• Triethanolamine: A thickener and wetting agent, TEA allows water to flow more freely by reducing the surface tension that holds droplets together. It's also a precursor chemical for the blistering weapon nitrogen mustard gas.
Continue reading "What's in my shaving cream?" »
March 23, 2007
Outdated cosmetics can cause bacterial infections
Did you know that many cosmetics have a shelf life of only one year, and the applicators of some products, like eyeliner, need to be washed or discarded even more frequently? According to the FDA, failing to do so can lead to bacterial infection.
Oklahoma State's Daily O'Collegian reports here.
Students surprised to learn about products’ short shelf lives, by Amber Fulton. Daily O'Collegian.
March 6, 2007
Not just for biodiesel anymore
Used cooking oil may find a second life in cosmetic products.
via New Scientist. (5 Mar 2007)
January 4, 2007
NY Times: Less is more when it comes to skin care
The New York Times' most emailed article of the day reports on the absurd marketing claims for cosmetic skin creams and the high prices the products demand. A Manhattan dermatologist recommends reducing your daily skin care routine to two simple ingredients: gentle soap and sunscreen, and a third product only for specific skin needs like acne or pigment spots. Avoid the high-priced brands, because no research suggests more expensive products are any better. For more information on the products you are currently using, or to find recommendations for facial cleansers and sunscreens, check out EWG’s Skin Deep Cosmetic Database.
The Cosmetics Restriction Diet. NY Times. (4 Jan 07)
October 20, 2006
Say NO to nano in cosmetics
While industry and government officials debate the safety of nanotech, 256 popular products have already been identified where nanomaterials are listed as ingredients. Products include eye liner, moisturizer, bronzer, lip balm and sunscreen.
Why should you care? Nanomaterials are super-tiny manmade chemicals that may pose unpredictable risks to public health. The FDA is concerned about these micro-sized ingredients because their toxicity may be very different, and potentially more severe than normal-sized chemical ingredients.
Take action now: Urge FDA to request that nanomaterials be clearly identified and assessed for safety before they are used in personal care products.
October 17, 2006
Preschool puberty from cometics, drugs
Today the New York Times reports some disturbing news about certain drugs and cosmetics causing preschoolers to go into puberty. In one case, a girl and her brother--whose father had been using a testosterone skin cream--started growing pubic hair just from skin contact with their father. Her brother also developed some aggressive behavior problems. The article cites some 1998 cases of early breast development in young girls brought on by a shampoo which contained estrogen and placental extract.
What does the FDA have to say about this? The FDA spokesperson told the Times that FDA was “aware of some reports describing premature sexual development” and that “there is no reason for consumers to be concerned.” And at this time “placental materials are neither prohibited by cosmetic regulations nor restricted” by the FDA.
Robert Cooper, chief of endocrinology at the reproductive toxicology division of the EPA suggests that conflicts of interest on advisory panels have hampered the development of adequate testing measures for these endocrine disruptors in consumer products:
In 1996, Congress directed the E.P.A. to develop a comprehensive screening program for possible endocrine disruptors within three years. Dr. Cooper says no such program has begun operation, a failure he attributed largely to stonewalling by chemical industry representatives who serve on an advisory committee for the program. Now the proposed rollout is December 2007, but Dr. Cooper said, “They may be dreaming.” Critics cite the program’s high potential costs and lack of reliable laboratory tests.
Full article
September 26, 2006
Nanotechnology risks unknown
From The Washington Post:
The United States is the world leader in nanotechnology -- the newly blossoming science of making incredibly small materials and devices -- but is not paying enough attention to the environmental, health and safety risks posed by nanoscale products, says a report released yesterday by the independent National Research Council.
Continue reading "Nanotechnology risks unknown" »
September 25, 2006
Protests in Shanghai over toxic US-Japanese cosmetics
SHANGHAI (AFP) - Hundreds of angry Chinese women have taken to the streets of Shanghai demanding refunds for US-Japanese cosmetics after authorities detected banned chemicals in some of the products.[snip]
Chinese authorities had found chromium and neodymium ions in several [Proctor & Gamble] SK-II products imported from Japan, including powder, foundation, lotion and cleansing oil.
Chromium can cause eczema, while neodymium irritates the skin and can damage the lungs and liver if inhaled.
Continue reading "Protests in Shanghai over toxic US-Japanese cosmetics" »
September 20, 2006
You smell so good its killing me!
Several schools and institutions are instituting fragrance-free policies to reduce unnecessary incidence of migraines and respiratory irritation. Yep. Those fancy, sweet smelling fragrances that can cost 50 bucks a bottle contain volatile organic chemicals (VOCs) which contribute to poor indoor air quality and can trigger headaches; eye, nose, and throat irritation, and nausea. Fragrances may also contain certain phthalates, suspected of disrupting hormones and linked to reproductive problems.
“But the fragrances I use are subtle. They couldn’t harm or annoy anyone.”
According to an article published in Flavour and Fragrance Journal you may not be the best judge of what is “subtle”:
Continue reading "You smell so good its killing me!" »
November 8, 2005
Canada Bans Hair Dye Ingredient
Lead acetate, an ingredient used in personal care products such as men's hair dye, has been banned in Canada over fears of cancer and reproductive toxicity. The chemical has been banned in Europe, and California considers it a carcinogen. Canadians' products must be free of the chemical by the end of 2006.Read more about lead acetate at the Ottawa Citizen, and learn more about what's in your own health and beauty brands with EWG's Skin Deep.