Dangerous Chemicals In Common Baby Products

Nov 1, 2007 4:07 pm US/Pacific

Study: Dangerous Chemicals In Common Baby Products -

Sue Kwon


(CBS 5) The Environmental Working Group surveyed 3,300 parents asking
what
products they use and compared the ingredients to lists of chemicals
know
to cause allergies, hormone disruption, damage to the nervous system,
and
cancer.

Dr. Rebecca Sutton, an environmental scientist conducted the study.
"What
we found is every day through the use of personal care, kids are
exposed
to 27 chemical ingredients that have never been assessed for
safety...not
by industry, or by the government."

Juanita Forster, a San Mateo mother with three little girls is
shocked.

"You think if it's sold on the shelves and there is a beautiful baby
on
it, it's safe for babies," said Forster. "To hear that it's not is
amazing
to me."

The questionable chemicals are found in generic store brand diaper
wipes
to big name brand sunscreen. Dr. Sutton points a few out.

"2 bromo, 2 nitropropane, 3-DIOL creates allergy and skin irritation
and
in certain products it can break down to form cancer causing agents.
Desitin diaper cream contains sodium borate. It can collect in the
brain
and liver and case health effects," said Dr. Sutton.

The study found 89% of products labeled "recommended by a doctor"
actually
contain what Dr. Sutton considers dangerous chemicals.

"Sunscreen with oxybenzone can trigger allergies and disrupt the
hormone
system," Sutton said.

Manufacturers respond to these claims with this statement from the
Cosmetic, Toiletry and Fragrance Association:

"Companies utilize a complex, multi-tiered scientific approach to
extensively evaluate the safety of individual ingredients and finished
products. These processes can take many months to several years to
complete and utilize the expertise of leading chemists, toxicologists,
biologists, dermatologists and experts from other scientific
disciplines
and medical specialty areas."

Forster doesn't quite trust manufacturers given recent chemical
scares.

"They were supposed to not be using lead paint on kids toys, and that
didn't work too well," Forster said.

The study is calling for the FDA to require strict testing of the
chemicals' health effects as they would apply to children. The
Environmental Working Group has a buying guide listing chemicals to
watch
out for in products.

(© MMVII, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)

http://cbs5. com/consumer/ local_story_ 305191434. html

On Nov 3, 12:22 am, Tim Campbell wrote:
Nov 1, 2007 4:07 pm US/Pacific

Study: Dangerous Chemicals In Common Baby Products -

Sue Kwon

(CBS 5) The Environmental Working Group surveyed 3,300 parents asking
what
products they use and compared the ingredients to lists of chemicals
know
to cause allergies, hormone disruption, damage to the nervous system,
and
cancer.

Dr. Rebecca Sutton, an environmental scientist conducted the study.
"What
we found is every day through the use of personal care, kids are
exposed
to 27 chemical ingredients that have never been assessed for
safety...not
by industry, or by the government."

Juanita Forster, a San Mateo mother with three little girls is
shocked.

"You think if it's sold on the shelves and there is a beautiful baby
on
it, it's safe for babies," said Forster. "To hear that it's not is
amazing
to me."

The questionable chemicals are found in generic store brand diaper
wipes
to big name brand sunscreen. Dr. Sutton points a few out.

"2 bromo, 2 nitropropane, 3-DIOL creates allergy and skin irritation
and
in certain products it can break down to form cancer causing agents.
Desitin diaper cream contains sodium borate. It can collect in the
brain
and liver and case health effects," said Dr. Sutton.

The study found 89% of products labeled "recommended by a doctor"
actually
contain what Dr. Sutton considers dangerous chemicals.

"Sunscreen with oxybenzone can trigger allergies and disrupt the
hormone
system," Sutton said.

Manufacturers respond to these claims with this statement from the
Cosmetic, Toiletry and Fragrance Association:

"Companies utilize a complex, multi-tiered scientific approach to
extensively evaluate the safety of individual ingredients and finished
products. These processes can take many months to several years to
complete and utilize the expertise of leading chemists, toxicologists,
biologists, dermatologists and experts from other scientific
disciplines
and medical specialty areas."

Forster doesn't quite trust manufacturers given recent chemical
scares.

"They were supposed to not be using lead paint on kids toys, and that
didn't work too well," Forster said.

The study is calling for the FDA to require strict testing of the
chemicals' health effects as they would apply to children. The
Environmental Working Group has a buying guide listing chemicals to
watch
out for in products.

(© MMVII, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)

http://cbs5. com/consumer/ local_story_ 305191434. html

If all this stuff is harming our kids then why should it even be put
in a store?

Stuff in baby products can be scary. For example, check labels
carefully for almond oil ...

--Beth Kevles
-THE-COM-HERE
http://web.mit.edu/kevles/www/nomilk.html -- a page for the milk-allergic
Disclaimer: Nothing in this message should be construed as medical
advice. Please consult with your own medical practicioner.

NOTE: No email is read at my MIT address. Use the GMAIL one if you would
like me to reply.

On 05 Nov 2007 17:58:01 GMT, (Beth Kevles) wrote:


Stuff in baby products can be scary. For example, check labels
carefully for almond oil ...

--Beth Kevles

Almond oil is harmful? (Or is that just for those allergic to tree
nuts?)

Betsey
-THE-COM-HERE
http://web.mit.edu/kevles/www/nomilk.html -- a page for the milk-allergic
Disclaimer: Nothing in this message should be construed as medical
advice. Please consult with your own medical practicioner.

NOTE: No email is read at my MIT address. Use the GMAIL one if you would
like me to reply.

Almond oil is only harmful to those with allergies. However, exposure
to nuts is not recommended until age 3 years because babies can't
communicate the early warning signs of a potentially fatal nut allergy.
So putting almond oil in, for example, diaper wipes, could be extremely
dangerous. (I think that the threat of a life-threatening allergy
diminishes if the baby is exposed for the first time at an older age,
but am not sure of that.)

--Beth Kevles
-THE-COM-HERE
http://web.mit.edu/kevles/www/nomilk.html -- a page for the milk-allergic
Disclaimer: Nothing in this message should be construed as medical
advice. Please consult with your own medical practicioner.

NOTE: No email is read at my MIT address. Use the GMAIL one if you would
like me to reply.

There is alot of scarey stuff in all our skin and personal care
products.

Do you know whats in your personal care products? I do. Check out my
website for products and information that is safe.

www.bayview.mionegroup.com

Take Care
Jo

I love when people use threads to spam... there's way too much spam on
these newsgroups now, its really getting annoying. A far better site
that I've used to choose a safer baby shampoo for my son is
Environmental Working Group - http://www.ewg.org/ You can search baby
products and it will tell you exactly what's in them, which
ingredients are safe, which have been shown to be more risky. I have
no affliation with Environmental Working Group, btw.