Silicones and phthalates ... Researchers have known for years that phthalates .. 2006 - 2008

[Guest guest]

A silent sister tells me that, if we can get our congressmen/women to contact NOW (National Organzation of Women), NOW believes they can get some action. . .

Even if you've already contacted them, please do so again . . . Insist that they work with NOW to put an end to putting BPH into medical devices (like breast implants) and household items!

Rogene

Silicones and phthalates ... Researchers have known for years that phthalates .. 2006 - 2008

kind2kids - toxins

.... and leakage of silicone from breast implants (silicone implants have been ... Researchers have known for years that phthalates, a family of chemicals ...http://www.kind2kids.co.nz/articles.asp?ID=23 - 24k - similar pages

Toxins household chemicals, a loaded gun? 2006 - 2008

Some common ingredients in everyday use:

Irritant Sulphates and Petrochemical Cleansers

Toxic Preservatives

Ethyloxylates and Dioxane

Propylene Glycol

Nitrosamine Impurities

Artificial Fragances

Parabens

Silicones and phthalates

Artifical Colours and Foam Boosters

Irritant Sulphates and Petrochemical CleansersSulfates is the common use name for a group of cleansing ingredients called alkyl sulfates, which are amongst the most irritating ingredients in personal care products, yet used by almost every manufacturer worldwide because of their low cost and strong cleansing power.

The most commonly used sulphates are:

Ammonium lauryl sulfate (the most strongly irritant)

Sodium lauryl sulfate

Ethoxylated sulfates (sodium and ammonium laureth sulfate).

Petrochemical cleansers tend to be harsh and irritating.

Examples include:

Sodium dodecyl benzene sulfonate

Sodium C12-16 olefin sulfonate.

Ammonium lauryl sulfate (ALS) is commonly used to replace sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS), which is the subject of negative publicity. However the ALS replacement is significantly more irritating than SLS.

Toxic PreservativesTogether with fragrances, preservatives are the most common cause of allergic reactions to cosmetics and toiletries.

Avoid the following toxic preservatives:

methylchloroisothiazolinone (KATHON CG)

formaldehyde

formaldehyde donors (imidazolidinyl urea, diazolidinyl urea, 2-bromo-2-nitropropane-1,3 diol, and DMDM hydantoin),

quaternium 15

Take care when looking at products which make a feature of using "natural" preservatives. Such ingredients generally have a narrow spectrum of activity, and other preservatives must supplement their action.

For example Formaldehyde is an effective and cheap preservative which is used in some major brand hair care products. It is toxic, carcinogenic, and probably the most irritating ingredient used in personal care products. It is listed as "formalin" on product labels instead of its common name, formaldehyde, to veil its presence. This is currently legally acceptable practice. Consumers beware!

Formaldehyde finds its way into a wide range of cosmetics and toiletries as a preservative of raw materials. It is termed an "incidental ingredient" by the current Cosmetic Ingredient Disclosure Regulations when used in this way, and is exempted from having to be listed on the label!

People with sensitivities can check with their cosmetics supplier for an assurance that formaldehyde is not used to preserve any raw ingredients used in their products.

Ethyloxylates and DioxaneEthyloxylates are a large group of ingredients used in most brands of cosmetics world wide. They have been shown to contain the impurity 1.4-dioxane, of concern to industry regulatory bodies, because of its status as a toxin and carcinogen known to be absorbed through the skin. Further, ethyloxylates, which do not occur naturally and are petrochemically derived, have been shown to break down in strong sunlight to form skin damaging free radicals.

The following is a list of some of the most commonly used ethoxylated ingredients:

Sodium laureth sulfate (SLES)

Ammonium laureth sulfate

Triethanolamine laureth sulfate

All ingredients with "eth" in the name eg Ceteth 20

All ingredients with "PEG" in the name

All the Polysorbates

Reference: Denis Rebut, academic cosmetic chemist, Cosmetics and Toiletries Journal, Volume 104, April 1994.

Propylene GlycolPropylene glycol is an ingredient in numerous cosmetics and toiletries. It is a humectant, which attracts water to itself and prevents creams from drying out.

It is also a solvent. In fact, most herbs are extracted into propylene glycol. Propylene glycol is a petrochemical derivative - it is a primary irritant and can cause delayed contact hypersensitivity.

It is commonly used because it is cheap, instead of glycerin or sorbitol, both particularly innocuous and highly effective plant-derived humectants.

Consumers who are concerned about allergies and sensitivities to cosmetics would be well advised to avoid products containing propylene glycol, choosing instead those which use glycerin or sorbitol.

Nitrosamine ImpuritiesThe presence of nitrosomine in personal care products should be a major concern within the cosmetic industry. Nitrosomines are formed as pollutant bi-products in a number of cosmetic raw materials, particularly those containing diethanolamine (DEA). They may also be formed in the cosmetic after it is made. Nitrosomines are toxic and may cause cancer.

They are commonly found in association with ingredients such as the foam boosters lauramide DEA, cocamide DEA and the amine oxides, and the hair detangler stearalkonium chloride (see below).

Artificial FragancesThe fragrance in an ingredient listing almost always denotes the use of synthetic fragrance compounds, even if some essential oils are also listed as ingredients. Fragrances are known to cause the majority of allergic reactions to cosmetics and toiletries. It is recommended for people with sensitivities to any fragrances to use unscented products.

Solubilisers are used to dissolve small amounts of oil (usually fragrances) in water-based products, such as skin toners and floral waters. They are powerful solvents, and can have a detrimental effect on the skin. They are all ethoxylated ingredients, and are therefore always contaminated with toxic impurities.

ParabensParabens are the most commonly used preservatives in topical pharmaceutical preparations. They are also used in cosmetics, skin care products, medications, foods, and industrially in oils, fats, shoe polishes, textiles and glues. Two or more paraben esters are often found in the one product.

Products commonly containing paraben preservatives:Cosmetics

Foundations, powders, concealers

Eye makeup (liners, shadows, mascara)

Facial makeup (blushes)

Bronzes

Makeup removers

Lipstick

Quick-dry nail products

Pharmaceutical/self-hygiene products

Topical dermatological medications

Eye, ear and nose drops

Rectal and vaginal medications

Bandages

Local anaesthetics

Moisturizing lotions and creams

Dentifrices

Sunscreens

Cleansers and other skin care products

Antiperspirants and deodorants

Soaps and toothpastes

Food products

Marinated fish products

Salad dressings

Mayonnaise

Mustard Spiced sauces

Processed vegetables

Frozen dairy products

Jams and jellies

Soft drinks and fruit juices

Baked goods and candies

Repeated applications of relatively low concentrations of parabens in medications and cosmetics may lead to sensitivity. Classic allergic contact dermatitis may occur after exposure to a paraben or mixture of parabens. Sometimes it may be seen as a flare or spread of an existing treated rash.

Allergic reactions to orally ingested paraben-containing foods are rare.

Alternative names/components of parabens:

Methylparaben

Ethylparaben

Propylparaben

Butylparaben

Benzyl-parahydroxybenzoic acid (p-hydroxybenzoic acid)

Methyl-parahydroxybenzoic acid (p-hydroxybenzoic acid)

Ethyl-parahydroxybenzoic acid (p-hydroxybenzoic acid)

Propyl-parahydroxybenzoic acid (p-hydroxybenzoic acid)

Butyl-parahydroxybenzoic acid (p-hydroxybenzoic acid) Parahydroxybenzoic acid (p-hydroxybenzoic acid)

Parahydroxybenzoate (p-hydroxybenzoate)

Avoid all of these in products and check that your work environment is safe.

Silicones and phthalatesSilicones, or polysiloxanes, are inorganic polymers. They are odourless, colourless, water resistant, chemical resistant, oxidation resistant, stable at high temperature, and do not conduct electricity.

They have many uses, such as lubricants, adhesives, sealants, gaskets, breast implants, pressure compensating diaphragms for drip irrigation emitters, sex toys, dishware, and Silly Putty.

Health concerns have included pain, deformity, connective tissue disorders (eg. scleroderma, arthritis), chronic fatigue syndrome, and leakage of silicone from breast implants (silicone implants have been removed from the market in the US because of the silicone controversy but are extensively used elsewhere).

Simethicone, a silicone-based anti-foaming agent, has remained available as an over-the-counter substance and food additive.

Researchers have known for years that phthalates, a family of chemicals found in paints, pesticides, and consumer products like shampoo, soap, and makeup, can have detrimental effects on genital and reproductive development in male rats. Now for the first time, a study looks at possible impacts on male human babies.

Data from a 2005 study supports the hypothesis that prenatal phthalate exposure at environmental levels can adversely affect male reproductive development in humans.

Key words: anogenital distance, benzylbutyl phthalate, dibutyl phthalate, diethyl phthalate, monobenzyl phthalate, monoethyl phthalate, monoisobutyl phthalate, mono-nbutyl phthalate, phthalates, prenatal exposure.

Environ Health Perspect 113:1056-1061 (2005).doi:10.1289/ehp.8100 available via http://dx.doi.org/ [Online 27 May 2005]

Artifical Colours and Foam BoostersColours do not have any function in cosmetics and toiletries (except for colour cosmetics) other than to make the product `more appealing to consumers. A common industry practice is to add a colouring material to make the product appear to contain a higher level of a featured ingredient eg adding green chlorophyl to a Rosemary Shampoo.

Foam boosters are used in virtually all shampoos and body washes. These ingredients, being derivatives of monoethanolamine (MEA), or diethanolamine (DEA), are known to be always contaminated with varying levels of toxic Nitroamines. The most commonly used foam boosters are Cocamide MEA or DEA and mide MEA or DEA

Sources:

The Purist Company, makers of Akin Skin Care - www.purist.com

The New Zealand Dermatological Society Incorporated - http://dermnetnz.org

Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia - http://en.wikipedia.org

Living On Earth - www.loe.org

Books and references:

Let's Stop Poisoning Our Children - www.rmbarry.com

Household Poison Safety Reminder - www.drgreene.com

Significance of the Detection of Esters of p-Hydroxybenzoic Acid (Parabens) in Human Breast Tumours (pdf)

Concentrations of Parabens in Human Breast Tumours (pdf)

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