Senators in Colorado asking the state to bring in legislation to combat “cancer-causing” chemicals in personal care products have been accused of scaremongering by a UK cosmetics expert.
Last month senator Betty Boyd and representative Dianne Primavera introduced the Colorado Safe Personal Care Products Act into the Colorado State Legislature. The proposed act would prohibit manufacturers from distributing or selling in Colorado “personal care products that contain known and probably carcinogens and reproductive toxins”. A fine of $5,000 to $10,000 would also be applicable to offending manufacturers.
The Cosmetic, Toiletry & Perfumery Association director general Chris Flower said that the proposed act does not take into account the fact that regulations requiring cosmetics to be safe already exist in the US and stated that the senators’ action is scaremongering. He said: For a high-profile public figure to come out and say that some cosmetic products are causing cancer and action is needed seems to me to be scaremongering pure and simple.”
Flower added that UK consumers are well protected by the European Cosmetics Directive – now being recast as a Regulation – which requires all cosmetics to be safe; the company must assess and be able to demonstrate that the product is safe before it is marketed. “I don’t know how better consumers could be protected,” he said. “There is no balancing the benefits against the risk – cosmetics must be safe regardless.”
Personal care products are described in the federal Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act as “any article intended to be rubbed, poured, sprinkled, or sprayed on, introduced into, or otherwise applied to the human body for cleansing, beautifying, promoting attractiveness, or altering a person’s appearance”.
Flower supported the government showing an interest in reassuring consumers that they are being protected but warned that there is always a risk that the interest can become more political than technical.
A hearing will be held for those supporting and opposing the act to have their say.
By Kate Donovan
March 2, 2010
Showing posts with label chemicals. Show all posts
Showing posts with label chemicals. Show all posts
Thursday, March 04, 2010
Saturday, December 13, 2008
Hairspray may not be harmful to the male foetus, scientist claims
By Sara McCorquodale
Baby boys born to mothers exposed to hairspray may not have a higher risk of having a genital defect, the leader of an alarming study published this week has said.
Research revealed working regularly in an atmosphere where the styling product was used frequently while pregnant could lead to hypospadias, it was reported.
However, Professor Paul Elliot who commandeered the study has clarified the chemical they believed to be harmful to male foetuses has not been used in the product since 2005, due to amended European Union regulations.
The Imperial College scientist, along with his team, found evidence suggesting phthalates could lead to the condition which results in the urinary tract being positioned away from the tips of the glans of the penis.
In the study, 471 women who gave birth to babies with hypospadias between 1997 and 1998 were interviewed alongside a group of the same number who gave birth to children without the defect.
Approximately double in the former set revealed they had been exposed to hairspray during their pregnancy.
While the chemical thought to be harmful is not in the product anymore, Professor Elliot still advises pregnant women to stay away from the aerosol styler.
He said: “We need to understand more about the chemicals in this product. For that reason, I would still say it is probably wise for expectant mothers to minimise their exposure to the product, particularly in early pregnancy. It is just part of maintaining good health while pregnant.
The EU regulations mean the phthalates we have concerns about have been removed from the product but I still believe protection should be taken.”
Habia’s health and safety department advises managers of salons using hairspray to undertake risk assessments for pregnant staff on site.
Source: Professional Beauty 28 Nov
I need to get some Natural Hairspray Now!
Baby boys born to mothers exposed to hairspray may not have a higher risk of having a genital defect, the leader of an alarming study published this week has said.
Research revealed working regularly in an atmosphere where the styling product was used frequently while pregnant could lead to hypospadias, it was reported.
However, Professor Paul Elliot who commandeered the study has clarified the chemical they believed to be harmful to male foetuses has not been used in the product since 2005, due to amended European Union regulations.
The Imperial College scientist, along with his team, found evidence suggesting phthalates could lead to the condition which results in the urinary tract being positioned away from the tips of the glans of the penis.
In the study, 471 women who gave birth to babies with hypospadias between 1997 and 1998 were interviewed alongside a group of the same number who gave birth to children without the defect.
Approximately double in the former set revealed they had been exposed to hairspray during their pregnancy.
While the chemical thought to be harmful is not in the product anymore, Professor Elliot still advises pregnant women to stay away from the aerosol styler.
He said: “We need to understand more about the chemicals in this product. For that reason, I would still say it is probably wise for expectant mothers to minimise their exposure to the product, particularly in early pregnancy. It is just part of maintaining good health while pregnant.
The EU regulations mean the phthalates we have concerns about have been removed from the product but I still believe protection should be taken.”
Habia’s health and safety department advises managers of salons using hairspray to undertake risk assessments for pregnant staff on site.
Source: Professional Beauty 28 Nov
I need to get some Natural Hairspray Now!
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