Allegations made today that commonly used baby products are somehow contaminated with harmful levels of carcinogenic chemicals are patently false and a shameful and cynical attempt by an activist group to incite and prey upon parental worries and concerns in order to push a political, legislative and legal agenda.
The allegations about the presence of 1,4 dioxane and formaldehyde in personal care products were made in a report to be released March 12, 2009, by the Campaign for Safe Cosmetics (CSC).
The levels of the two chemicals the group reportedly found are considered to be “trace” or extremely low, are well below established regulatory limits or safety thresholds, and are not a cause for health concern.
When present, these chemicals would likely be found at very low levels precisely because companies have gone to great lengths in the formulation and manufacturing processes to ensure that the products are safe and gentle for children and also protected from harmful bacterial growth.
“Contrary to their attempt to position this report as something new and scientifically noteworthy, there is nothing revelatory or scientifically objective in it,” said Dr. John Bailey, chief scientist for the Personal Care Products Council. “The U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA), the Cosmetic Ingredient Review (CIR), an independent panel of scientific and medical experts who assess the safety of ingredients used in U.S. cosmetic and personal care products, and other authoritative bodies throughout the world have long been aware of the potential presence of 1,4 dioxane and formaldehyde in personal care products and found them to be safe when present at low levels.”
The report is one of many the group has issued in the last several years attacking different preservatives and other chemicals used in personal care products and cosmetics, misrepresenting the science behind the products and their safety, and grossly distorting the facts about how the products are regulated in the U.S. and around the world.
Source: Personal Care Products Council, USA