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Phthalates in Hair Spray, Perfume, Deodorant?
Dina Goda
The Campaign for Safe CosmeticsMonday, July 30, 2007
Phthalates, a group of hormone-disrupting chemicals used to soften plastics, have been found in many common beauty and personal care products. Pregnant women are the most at-risk, because phthalates can enter the womb and expose the fetus during critical periods of development.
Report States "Phthalates Are Everywhere"
A powerful reproductive and developmental toxicant is found in many common cosmetic and beauty products, according to a 2002 report, Not Too Pretty: Phthalates, Beauty Products & the FDA, by the nonprofit organizations Health Care Without Harm, Environmental Working Group, and Coming Clean.
The groups contracted an independent laboratory to conduct tests on 72 common cosmetic and personal care products, including many popular brands. Almost three-quarters of these products contained hormone-disrupting phthalates, a group of chemicals used to soften plastics. None of the products that contain phthalates list them on the ingredient label.
The organizations found that the most critical population, women of child-bearing age whose fetuses may be exposed to phthalates in the womb, receive their highest exposure of phthalates from beauty products.
Phthalates have been linked to birth defects and damage to the male reproductive system. Hundreds of animal studies have shown that phthalates can cause damage to the liver, kidneys, and lungs.
Because phthalates do not have to be listed on ingredient labels, there is no way for pregnant women to avoid purchasing products containing them. The Environmental Working Group hosts a cosmetic safety database, Skin Deep.
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