From: Robina Suwol
Date: 03 Dec 2002
Time: 13:03:58
Remote Name: 24.28.136.172
U.S. COSMETICS PANEL ALLOWS USE OF DISPUTED CHEMICAL
Date: 021120
From: http://enn.com/
By Laura MacInnis, Reuters,
November 20, 2002
Washington - Regulators from within the American cosmetics industry voted
Tuesday to allow the use of a chemical ingredient in perfumes and beauty
products which critics have linked to birth defects in animals.
The Cosmetic Ingredient Review panel ruled that three phthalates, chemicals used
to make fragrances last longer, posed no health threat to cosmetics wearers.
Their decision angered health advocates who say phthalates, which can be inhaled
or absorbed through the skin, contribute to male birth defects and should be
banned from beauty products sold to women.
"Despite the findings of this industry-funded panel, women want their cosmetics
to be free of products that cause birth defects," said
Charlotte Brody, executive director of Health Care Without Harm, a coalition of
health, religious, labor, and environmental groups.
Brody said cosmetics regulators had brushed aside tests linking the chemicals to
birth defects in animals, most often abnormalities of the male reproductive
organs, and had done little to address potential cumulative risks to women
exposed to more than one source of phthalates.
"They have made this decision without knowing what a safe dose might be and
without knowing the full range of products phthalates are used in," she told
reporters. "Scientists have not yet determined a dose of phthalates not linked
to male birth defects."
SCIENTIFIC STUDIES
Gerald McEwen, vice president for science of the Cosmetic, Toiletry, and
Fragrance Association, said the panel's decision was based on a comprehensive
review of scientific studies, including those cited by health campaigners.
"Based on the science, there is no health concern here," McEwen said. "There is
no reason for people to get upset. The response we've seen, I'd say it was
alarmist, and that's too bad."
Beauty products such as perfume, deodorant, hair spray, skin cream, and nail
varnish often contain phthalates. The chemicals are also found in plastic
products such as food containers, medical devices, and food wrap.
Phthalates are rarely included in the ingredient list of beauty products because
they are among hundreds of components which are
grouped together under the name "perfume." Critics say that makes it difficult
for consumers to avoid the chemicals. "Even if you are the kind of consumer who
reads every label in the store before you buy it, you can't find out if there
are phthalates in there," Brody said.
Industry leaders said perfumes have up to 600 ingredients, making it impossible
to list them all on packaging. McEwen said concerned consumers should call
manufacturer to check whether phthalates are included. Some cosmetics companies
have voluntarily withheld phthalates from their products pending further
research.
* * *
Copyright 2002, Reuters All Rights Reserved
Copyright (c) 2001 Environmental News Network Inc.