Testing It Up

Under the Toxic Substances Control Act, a law which has been in effect since the 70s, we’re supposed to be protected from toxic chemicals in the products we used every day.  But the truth is that it just isn’t being effective, many of these toxins are in food and toys our children use every day!

You’ve probably read about the Biphenol-A (BPA) that’s in soda bottles, baby bottles and more, or about the phthalates found in pacifiers and toys.  Did you know there might be formaldehyde in your baby shampoo? These chemicals and more are in foods, toys and products we use every day, toxins that have been shown to make us more vulnerable to diseases like cancer and Alzheimer’s and put our children at risk for brain damage and lowering levels of concentration. If you want to test if your child is exposed to any kinds of toxins, there are some home tests available, such as lead test.

But how do they get past the Toxic Substances Control Act and our government?Out of the 80,000 chemicals on the market since the Toxic Substances Act was approved only 200 are required to be tested by the EPA! In the 33 years since it was passed only 5 chemicals have been labeled restricted by the EPA, none of which were produced in the last 18 years! The only way these chemicals, these toxins can be effectively regulated is if changes are made to the way the EPA regulates chemicals, a trend that has not been changed since 1976! Some action is being taken by groups like momsrising.org but there needs to be more focus to make the change happen. Write your congressman today to ask for the Toxic Substances Act to be reevaluated!

After the controversy created by a recently released study from the advocacy group Campaign for Safe Cosmetics, manufacturer Johnson and Johnson has disputed the allegations about carcinogen content in their baby products. The company has countered that the trace amounts of the compounds identified in the report were the result of processes that are performed to ensure that the product is gentle for babies and safe from bacteria growth.

In China, the report has lead to the removal of Johnson and Johnson baby bath products from the shelves of supermarkets. The Shanghai-based supermarket chain Nonggongshang Supermarket Group took Johnson and Johnson products off the shelves of their 3,500 outlets. Other big chains in China such as Wal-Mart and Carrefour, however, have chosen to still carry the products.

This has prompted Chinese health authorities to test the products. The State Food and Drug Administration have subjected 33 Johnson and Johnson products, including the baby shampoo mentioned in the Campaign for Safe Cosmetics report. Their results indicate that there is no evidence of carcinogens in Johnson and Johnson products, according to a feature on Med Guru.

In support of the declaration of the Chinese health officials, Johnson and Johnson said further that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration as well as other government agencies have considered the trace levels of the compounds in question as safe.

For its part, the State Food and Drug Administration have declared through their website that the agency will continue to monitor the allegations and perform tests in a timely manner.

Campaign for Safe Cosmetics tested 48 products and released the report about two weeks ago. The advocacy group tested the products for presence of two known carcinogens: formaldehyde and 1,4-dioxane. Among the products tested that showed traces of the alleged carcinogens were Johnson and Johnson baby shampoo.

Most of us probably grew up using certain baby products that we have grown accustomed to. We in turn use these products on our own babies and children. Baby will always have his or her own special shampoo, soap, cologne and lotion: a gentler, milder formula that is safe for baby’s sensitive skin.

The latest report from an advocacy group called the Campaign for Safe Cosmetics may change this preconceived notion. Now, if the results of their tests are accurate and taken at face value, what we previously thought were the safest cosmetic products in the market may not be as safe as we think.

The March 2009 report, entitled “No More Toxic Tub”, is available for viewing online. The report presents results of an independent laboratory analysis that tested 48 popular bath products for the presence of two known carcinogens: formaldehyde and 1,4-dioxane. The results indicated that 61% contained traces of both substances. A high majority at 82% contained formaldehyde, while 67% contained 1,4-dioxane.

While it may be true that some occurrences in baby products are not that significant, the fact that they exist in multiple products that are used in conjunction with other equally contaminated products, these small exposures may add up and become significant.

You may wonder why manufacturers are not forthcoming regarding the presence of these substances. According to the group, the presence of both substances is not due to the fact that they are ingredients, but they eventually find their way into the product as contaminants. The group adds further that there is a way for manufacturers to remove these contaminants, but since there is no government regulation regarding this, they are not really required to do so.

Popular children’s bath products from the more favored manufacturers such as Johnson and Johnson and Baby Magic are among those tested.