14
November 2002
New survey reveals:
Fertility-threatening chemicals in cosmetics
Stockholm/London,
14 November 2002: Top brand cosmetics on sale in Sweden and Britain contain
phthalates1 - chemicals hazardous to human health and fertility.
Four out of five products tested for "Pretty Nasty: phthalates
in European cosmetic products" contained at least one phthalate
and more than half contained multiple phthalates. The report authors are
calling on:
- Manufacturers
to pledge to remove all phthalates from their products - and to clearly
label products in the interim
- The European
Union to unconditionally ban all phthalates from cosmetics
- Consumers to press retailers, manufacturers and politicians to make
sure phthalates are no longer used in cosmetics.
Perfume from
L'Oreal and Christian Dior, and hair spray from Wella and Boots all contain
phthalates that have just been conditionally banned in cosmetic and personal
care products within the EU. Women´s Environmental Network
in Great Britain and The Swedish Society for Nature Conservation
in Sweden, in co-operation with the international organisation Health
Care Without Harm, tested 34 leading cosmetic products in Sweden and
Great Britain for phthalates. Perfumes, deodorants, hair mousses, hair gels
and hair sprays were tested to see if they contained one or several of six
different phthalates. A majority of the phthalates spread in the environment,
and animal studies have shown they can harm reproductive capacity and foetal
development. Effects include birth defects in the male reproductive organs
and contamination of human breast milk. One US study found the banned phthalate,
DBP, in every person tested. Women aged 20 to 40 years old appeared to receive
the highest exposures, up to 20 times greater than for the average person
and, in some cases, above the federal safety standard.
Phthalates
were found in 27 of 34 tested products (79%), and more than half of the
products (53%) contained two or more phthalates. The amounts vary from
a few parts per million to almost two percent of the product's composition.
Products like Tresor eau de parfum, Rexona 24 h intensive (sold as Sure
in the UK & US), Fructis Style Volume Mousse, and Elnett Satin Hair
Spray contained high levels of several phthalates
"Chemicals that affect animal and human health in this way should
not be in cosmetics at all. Many people are exposed to multiple doses
every day from the range of cosmetics they use, while workers in the cosmetics
and beauty industry face greater exposure," says Helen Lynn,
Health Co-ordinator at Women´s Environmental Network. "Yet
because the manufacturers don't have to list phthalates on the product
label, it is impossible for the consumer to avoid them."
Two of the phthalates found, DEHP and DBP, are already banned from children's
toys likely to be put in the mouth, and last Thursday (7 November) the
European Commission also agreed they should be removed from cosmetic and
personal care products. However, loopholes in the ruling may still allow
them to be used for some time.
"The new EU-prohibition for two of the phthalates in cosmetics
is an important step in the right direction. But we need to do more to
protect people and the environment from this unnecessary risk. All phthalates
in cosmetics and other products can add up to harm-a harm we can avoid
if we get all phthalates out of all products," says Per Rosander,
Project leader, Health Care Without Harm.
"Our survey shows that several manufacturers also sell products
which do not contain phthalates. This means that there are cost-efficient
phthalates-free manufacturing processes. Therefore we demand that the
cosmetic industry immediately stop all use of phthalates and modify other
production processes to end phthalate contamination," concludes
Mikael Karlsson, Chairman of the Swedish Society for Nature Conservation.
Phthalates are a group of chemicals that are often used as softeners in
PVC-plastic. In cosmetic manufacturing phthalates are used to enhance
fragrances, and as solvents or denaturants for alcohols.
ENDS
Click here for the
full report (265k pdf)
Visit www.nottoopretty.org
for
Press pictures of the products
Summary and lists of products
Facts about phthalates
Information about EU-prohibition
Notes:
1. Pronounced 'thalates'.
2. WEN is a national UK 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.
Press Contacts:
Mikael Karlsson, Chairman, Swedish Society for Nature Conservation,
+46 (0) 70 316 27 22
Helen Lynn, Health Co-ordinator, Women´s Environmental Network,
tel +44 (0)20 7481 9004
Per Rosander, Project leader, Health Care Without Harm, tel +46
(0)70 209 2379
Liz Sutton, Press Co-ordinator, WEN, +44 (0)20 7481 9004
Ellika Hermansson Török, Press Officer SSNC, +46 (0)8
702 65 05, +46 (0) 70 655 46 19
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