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Puddy73
06-03-2004, 04:04 PM
The following article regarding possible harmful substances in bath products and baby wipes was forwarded to me. I'm not sure how credible it is, but it is worth checking the products that you are using.

FYI...
Children at risk from cosmetics
By Severin Carrell
30 May 2004


Children are at greater risk of cancers and fertility problems in later life because of the growing use of their cosmetics and toiletries, health experts are warning.

Adolescents and the parents of young children are buying more beauty products made for adults and toiletries such as baby wipes and bubble baths than ever before.

Fertility experts, cancer specialists and environmentalists are becoming alarmed by evidence that most of these products use potentially dangerous chemicals linked to breast cancer, falling sperm counts and hormonal damage.

The World Health Organisation and European health and environment ministers are to issue a stark warning next month. Ministers from all 25 EU member states, including the Evironment minister Alun Michael and Health minister Melanie Johnson from the UK, will sign a declaration calling for action to cut children's exposure to these chemicals.

Their warnings will be backed by initiatives by Friends of the Earth and the Women's Environmental Network.

A report by Friends of the Earth this week will accuse the UK's largest retailers of failing to take effective action to cut down on these chemicals in their products.

The ingredients of greatest concern include chemicals called parabens which can affect the hormone oestrogen and were recently found in breast cancer tissues. They are routinely used as preservatives in body lotions such Johnson's "baby softwash" and Kandoo toilet wipes.

Other suspect additives are known as phthalates, used to soften plastics and help carry scents in cosmetics. Banned for use in baby toys, they are linked to lower sperm levels in men, premature breast development and allergies.

Cosmetics companies such as Boots and Johnson & Johnson insisted all their products were very carefully formulated within strict health guidelines. But the Cosmetics, Toiletries and Perfumes Association admitted it was likely to phase out the use of all phthalates because of consumer concerns.
2 June 2004 08:43


Jennifer
Mommy to Annabelle Mae 9/8/2003

pamela mom of 3
06-03-2004, 09:22 PM
Sounds like they are speaking of the adult version of "baby wipes" not say for example pampers/huggies wipes?

Maybe i got it wrong but that is my take...

Interesting, but i always take a big dose of salt with these things, seems like every week their is another thing to be worried about ;)

~Pamela Mom Of 3

http://instagiber.net/smiliesdotcom/kao/otn/blobflower.gif

tippy
06-04-2004, 02:05 AM
Do you know what the source of the article was? Could you ask the person who forwarded it in case you don't?

Thanks

Melanie
06-06-2004, 04:23 PM
There was nothing about this on the Urban Legends site. I can't say that I know those products contain those substances, but those substances are not safe. Any unncessary chemicals can do things to us. Our bodies weren't meant for them.

kcimato
06-07-2004, 08:53 PM
Always check out your fowarded e mails at www.snopes.com You can do a key word search and they will tell you how it got started and if it is true or not. It's very interesting.

kcimato
06-07-2004, 09:02 PM
Couldn't find anything on snopes either

starrynight
06-07-2004, 11:05 PM
I have heard a lot of things about parabens and never found anything refuting it on snopes.

What concerns me more if propylene glycol, it's in a lot of baby wipes, infant tylenol and a few other things. Some sites say it's safe, some don't but I do know it's a form of deicer/antifreeze. It is the less toxic type but I can't get past the fact that it is antifreeze kwim? It's right on the label of the 'safer for pets' prestone brand of antifreeze they sell at walmart.

I can't help but wonder if the rising cases of asthma, infertility and other things in this world aren't from chemical and pesticide/preservative overload!