Testing finds traces of carcinogen in bath products

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Testing finds traces of carcinogen in bath products

By Marla Cone, Times Staff Writer

February 9, 2007

Some shampoos and other bath products still contain traces

of a cancer-causing petrochemical that federal health

officials have expressed concerns about for more than 20

years, according to test results announced Thursday by

environmental activists.

All 18 children's and adult products tested in a laboratory

contained 1,4-dioxane, and three had concentrations that

exceeded the Food and Drug Administration's recommended

limit, says the Campaign for Safe Cosmetics, a San

Francisco-based coalition of eight national environmental

and health advocacy organizations.

The chemical is not an additive, but an unintended

byproduct during manufacture of some formulations.

The tests, conducted by a Santa Fe Springs laboratory, were

commissioned by Steinman of Topanga, publisher of

Healthy Living magazine, and included in his new book

outlining steps that consumers can take to protect the

environment.

According to the environmental group, the highest

concentrations, 23 parts per million, were detected in

Clairol Herbal Essences Rainforest Flowers Shampoo and Olay

Complete Body Wash With Vitamins, both made by Procter &

Gamble. The highest in a children's product was 12 ppm, in

Hello Kitty Bubble Bath, sold by Kid Care, a division of

Cosmetic Essence Inc.

In 1985, the FDA asked the cosmetics industry to

voluntarily limit the chemical to 10 ppm. But there are no

standards governing it and no testing requirements.

Fifteen of the 18 were at or under the 10 ppm

recommendation, with the lowest amount, in Mr. Bubble

Bubble Bath Gentle Formula, reaching 1.5 ppm. ...

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