Toxicity of Personal Care Products
http://www.ewg.org/skindeep/
Christine GirtainToms River HS South
NJESTA Board Memberhttp://www.njesta.org/
Myth – FDA promptly recalls any product that injures people
Fact – FDA has no authority to require recalls of harmful cosmetics◦Manufacturers are not required to report cosmetics-related injuries to FDA
◦FDA relies on companies to report injuries voluntarily (FDA 2005)
More than 500 products sold in the U.S. contain ingredients banned in cosmetics in Japan, Canada or the European Union (EWG 2007b)
Nearly 100 products contain ingredients considered unsafe by the International Fragrance Association (EWG 2007c)
Oxybenzone◦In 60% of sunscreens ◦Potential hormone disruptor ◦Readily penetrates the skin and contaminates the bodies of 97% of Americans (EWG 2010, Calafat et al. 2008)
Lead ◦61% of tested lipstick brands contain residues
◦ (CSC 2007)
ObjectivesUse data base of personal care
products to research an individual’s exposure ◦17 different categories See Table 1
Graph personal multiple exposures to identify and individual’s greatest risk category
ObjectivesEncourage students to be more
conscience of their product decisions
Discuss possible effects of student product choices
Product Toxicity Rating Scale
Banana Boat Sport Performance
Use tick marks to tally the # of ingredients in your products that are linked to:Issues: Tally MarksCancerDevelopmental/reproductive toxicityNeurotoxicityEndocrine DisruptionAllergies/ImmunotoxicityIrritaitonOrgan system ToxicityPersistence & Bioaccumulation
Issues: Tally MarksCancerDevelopmental/reproductive toxicityNeurotoxicityEndocrine DisruptionAllergies/ImmunotoxicityIrritaitonOrgan system ToxicityPersistence & Bioaccumulation
1
11
11
Cancer
Develop/re
pro toxic
ity
Neurotoxicity
Endocrine Disr
uption
Allergies/I
mmun
Irrita
iton
Organ syste
m Toxicity
Persist
& Bioaccum 0
10203040506070
Total Hazard Exposures from Personal Care Product Use
# of
Exp
osur
es
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