Response to 'Not too Pretty: Phthalates, Beauty Products & the FDA'

Women's Environmental Network has a new project, 'Ending the Cosmetics Cover-up', raising awareness about the presence of risky chemicals in every day cosmetics and toiletries and empowering women to take action to demand safer cosmetics.

We can be contacted for a UK based comment on 'Not Too Pretty: phthalates, beauty products and the FDA', report published yesterday (10/7/02) in the United States by Environmental Working Group, Coming Clean and Health Care Without Harm. Tests commissioned by the organisations found phthalates in 52 of the 72 beauty products tested, including all 17 of the perfumes and several nail polishes, deodorants, hair products and body lotions.

This raises very worrying questions about whether phthalates are in the same branded products on sale here - in most cases they weren't listed on the labels of the American products tested and similar independent tests have not yet been done here. Ordinary consumers have no way of knowing what lurks inside the perfume bottle and what harm it may do to them, their children, or the wider world. On both sides of the Atlantic we need much more rigorous safety assessment and regulation that's tied to a precautionary approach to risky chemicals.

ENDS

For further information please contact:
Liz Sutton, Press Officer 020 7481 9004, or 07973 323 789; Fax: 020 7481 9144 or email: info@wen.org.uk

Notes to editors:
1. WEN is a national charity and membership organisation which campaigns on environmental and health issues from a women's perspective. It educates, informs and empowers women and men who care about the environment.

2. 'Ending the Cosmetics Cover-up' is part of WEN's current health project, 'Women Taking Action for a Healthier Planet, which is funded by the Community Fund.

3. Not Too Pretty can be viewed at www.nottoopretty.org