Originally Posted at: http://www.organicconsumers.org/bodycare/babies030105.cfm
CHICAGO, Feb. 28 (AScribe Newswire)– From shortly after birth, mothers tenderly wash and pamper their infants with awide range of baby products. These include soaps, shampoos, lotions, and dusting powders, some of which are used several times daily.
However, how would mothers react if they discovered that these baby products contain a witch’s brew of dangerous ingredients? Hopping mad could be a reasonable understatement. Most disturbing are three groups of widely used ingredients known as “hidden carcinogens” — ingredients which are contaminated by carcinogens, or which break down to release carcinogens, or which are precursors of carcinogens — to which infants are about 100 times moresensitive than adults.
- The largest group of hidden carcinogens includes dozens of wetting agents or detergents, particularly PEGs, Laureths, and Ceteareths, all of which are contaminated with the potent and volatile carcinogens ethylene oxide anddioxane. These carcinogens could readily be stripped off during ingredient manufacture, if the industry just made the effort to do so. Another hidden carcinogenic ingredient islanolin, derived from sheep’s wool, most samples of which are contaminated with DDT-like pesticides.
- The second group includes another detergent,Triethanolamine (TEA) which, following interaction with nitrite, is a precursor of a highly potent nitrosaminecarcinogen.
- The third group includes Quaterniums and Diazolidinyl urea preservatives which break down in the product or skin to release the carcinogenic formaldehyde.
Of additional concern is another group of common preservatives, known as Parabens. Numerous studies over the last decade have shown that these are weakly estrogenic.They produce abnormal hormonal effects following application to the skin of infant rodents, particularly male, resulting in decreased testosterone levels, and urogenital abnormalities. Parabens have also been found to accumulate in the breasts of women with breast cancer.
The common use of Talc dusting powder can result in its inhalation, resulting in acute or chronic lung irritation and disease (talcosis), and even death. Additionally, Talc is a suspect cause of lung cancer, based on rodent tests.
Fragrances, containing numerous ingredients, are commonly used in baby products for the mother’s benefit. However,over 25 of these ingredients are known to cause allergic dermatitis.
A final ingredient of particular concern is the harshly irritant sodium lauryl sulfate. A single application to adult human skin has been shown to damage its microscopic structure, increasing the penetration of carcinogenic and other toxic ingredients.
Most disturbing is the ready availability of safe alternatives for all these dangerous ingredients(long-standing information on which is detailed on the CancerPrevention Coalition website, http://www.preventcancer.com)./
– Ronnie Cummins, National Director, Organic ConsumersAssociation, 6101 Cliff Estate Road, Little Marais, MN55614; phone 218-226-4164; e-mail ronnie@organicconsumers.org; Web http://www.organicconsumers.org/
Media Contact: Samuel S. Epstein, MD, 312-413-9898, epstein@uic.edu Ronnie Cummins, 218-226-4164, ronnie@organicconsumers.org
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