Why be concerned about harmful ingredients?

A study conducted in 1994 by the National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health resulted in a consumer alert publication on the harmful ingredients in cosmetics and personal care products. This study identified that of the 2,983 chemicals used in cosmetics and personal care products, 884 were found to be toxic. Merriam- Webster's online dictionary described toxic as "containing or being poisonous material especially when capable of causing death or serious debilitation". In this study, toxic ingredients were identified as follows:

• 314 identified as causing biological mutation
• 218 can cause reproductive complications
• 778 can cause acute toxicity
• 146 can cause tumours
• 376 can cause skin and eye irritations

Senator Edward Kennedy in a speech to the US Congress in 1997 declared "This is an industry that is under regulated and its products are too often hazardous". I have blogged previously on Senator Kennedy's speeches. The full text of these speeches and a lot more scientific detail on the harmful ingredients in personal care products is available in Professor Dr Samuel Epstein's book "Unreasonable Risk".

If you would like to know more about safe personal care products, please contact us at the Health Highway and we will be glad to help with advice and information about sourcing safe products for your family.