The Campaign for Safe Cosmetics has tried to get Avon, Estee Lauder and Revlon to pledge to remove the dangerous chemicals in their products. Unfortunately, these companies who are the biggest users of the pink ribbon have not agreed to remove the chemicals.
Cosmetics Chemicals (here is a list of some chemicals found in cosmetics taken from Campaign for Safe Cosmetics web-site)
Parabens: preservatives used in lotions, shampoo and other cosmetics. Some parabens are classified as endocrine disruptors because they mimic estrogen in the body. Higher estrogen exposures are linked to higher risk of breast cancer.
Phthalates: plasticizers found in nail polish, synthetic fragrance and plastic packaging. These hormone-disrupting chemicals have been linked to early puberty in girls, a risk factor for later-life breast cancer. Some phthalates also act as weak estrogens in cell culture systems.
Fragrance: secret mixtures of chemicals used in both perfumes and scented cosmetics. "Fragrance" may include phthalates, synthetic musks (which may disrupt hormones) and ethylene oxide (a mammary carcinogen). The companies are not required to list these chemicals on product labels.
Nonylphenols: used in some cleansers. They have been shown to disrupt hormones.
Sunscreen chemicals: some behave like estrogens and have been shown to make some breast cancer cells proliferate.
Isobutane: a propellant used in spray-on hair spray, gel, mousse, shaving cream and anti-fungal treatment. It can be contaminated with 1,3-butadiene, a probable human carcinogen and a mammary carcinogen.
Ethoxylated compounds: dimethicone, PEG-40, ceteareth-12 and other compounds with the syllables “eth” or “PEG” in them are used in a wide variety of cosmetics. These compounds are formed by processing with ethylene oxide, a mammary carcinogen, and can be contaminated with 1,4-dioxane, also a mammary carcinogen.
Metals: found in a variety of cosmetics as colorants, sunscreens or contaminants. Iron, nickel, chromium, zinc, cadmium, mercury and lead have been found in higher levels in women with breast cancer than in women without breast cancer. Nickel, chromium, cadmium, mercury, lead, copper, cobalt and tin also have estrogenic effects on breast cancer cells in the lab.
Petrolatum: a derivative of petroleum used in lip products and lotions. It can be contaminated with polyaromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), which are both endocrine disruptors and carcinogens.
Toluene: used in some nail products. Can be contaminated with benzene, a known carcinogen.
Triclosan: commonly used in anti-microbial soaps. More research is needed to understand how triclosan relates to breast cancer, but evidence suggests it affects male and female hormones as well as thyroid hormone, which effects weight and metabolism.
So what can I do?
1. Asking these companies to change there ways is one great step that you can take. Here is a link to tell Estee Lauder that you would appriciate it if they made products without all the nasty chemicals.
http://org2.democracyinaction.org/o/5500/p/dia/action/public/?action_KEY=4423
2. Educate yourself by visiting the Breast Cancer Fund website which has great info and tips on how to make better cosmetic purchases.
http://www.breastcancerfund.org/reduce-your-risk/tips/choose-safe-cosmetics
3. Check out the website Think Before You Pink, which talks about the history of the pink ribbon and other interesting facts and info.
http://thinkbeforeyoupink.org/
Remember that the pink ribbon has been a great tool for raising breast cancer awareness and raising funds but companies should not abuse such a great symbol by using it on products that have been linked to cancers. Thanks for your interest :)
No comments:
Post a Comment