Canadian David Suzuki wants to peek into your bathroom.
In a new survey being conducted by the David Suzuki Foundation, the world-renowned environmentalist is asking Canadians to come clean on their personal-care products. The foundation is compiling a first-of-a-kind inventory of toxic ingredients in the products we use to appear appealing and smell swell.
"From shampoos, to soaps, to lotions, to makeup, it's not uncommon for a single person to use 10 or more personal-care products each day," the Suzuki foundation reports.
"But some of the ingredients in beauty products aren't that pretty," it says. "U.S. researchers found that one in eight of the 82,000 ingredients used in personal care products are industrial chemicals, including carcinogens, pesticides, reproductive toxins, endocrine disruptors, plasticizers, degreasers and surfactants."
"The survey results will help advocate for stronger regulations on Canadian cosmetics to protect our health and the environment," says Lisa Gue, an environmental health policy analyst at the foundation dedicated to finding innovative solutions to help protect the planet.
“It is also to make companies that make these products step up the plate.”
The foundation will present the results of its survey in September.
"We'll also have recommendations for the government for strengthening laws to protect Canadians from harmful chemicals in their personal-care products," Gue says.
To take part in the survey, click here.
Meanwhile, Health Canada advises that, if you ever suffer an adverse reaction to a cosmetic, stop using the product immediately and call your doctor.
The dirty dozen cosmetic chemicals
The David Suzuki Foundation has compiled a list of 12 chemicals found in personal-care products that it recommends you avoid.
The foundation urges Canadians to check the ingredient lists on the products you purchase to scrub up and rub on and steer clear of those that contain the following "dirty dozen".
1. BHA or BHT: Butylated hydroxyanisole and butylated hydroxytoluene are used mainly in moisturizers and makeup as antioxidants and preservatives and are also a hidden ingredient in some fragrances. BHA is toxic to the immune system and has been classified as a possible human carcinogen. BHT may be toxic to the skin, lungs, liver and immune system. Both chemicals can cause allergic reactions, they might interfere with hormone function and may promote tumour growth.
2. Cyclomethicone and ingredients ending in "siloxane": Used in cosmetics to soften, smooth and moisten, these compounds can irritate the skin, eyes and lungs. They're suspected of interfering with hormone function and of liver toxicity. They don't easily degrade and can remain in the environment long after they're rinsed down the shower drain, possibly harming fish.
3. DEA and related chemicals MEA and TEA: DEA (diethanolamine) and DEA compounds are used to make cosmetics creamy or sudsy. They irritate the skin and eyes and may be toxic to the immune and nervous systems. DEA compounds can also react with other ingredients in cosmetics to form carcinogenic nitrosamines. Some say cocamide DEA harms the environment because of its acute toxicity to aquatic organisms.
4. Dibutyl phthalate: Used mainly in nail products, phthalates are also unlisted fragrance ingredients in many other cosmetics. Dibutyl phthalate is absorbed through the skin. It can enhance the capacity of other chemicals to cause genetic mutations and interfere with hormone function causing reproductive and developmental problems.
5. Formaldehyde-releasing preservatives: DMDM hydantoin, diazolidinyl urea, imidazolidinyl urea, methenamine, quarternium-15 and sodium hydroxymethylglycinate are used as preservatives in cosmetics. Formaldehyde is a carcinogen. DMDM hydantoin and quarternium-15 can irritate skin and eyes and trigger allergies.
6. Fragrance or parfum: The term "fragrance" or "parfum" usually represents a complex mixture of dozens of chemicals. Of the thousands of chemicals used in fragrances, most have not been tested for toxicity. Many of these hidden ingredients can trigger allergic attacks, migraines and chemical-induced nerve irritation. Individual fragrance ingredients have been associated with cancer and neurotoxicity. Dimethyl phthalate (DEP), used in cosmetics to make fragrances linger, is suspected of interfering with hormone function causing reproductive and developmental problems.
7. Coal tar dyes: Phenylenediamine, used in hair dyes, has been found to be carcinogenic in laboratory tests. Other coal tar-derived colours are used extensively in cosmetics, identified by a five-digit Colour Index (C.I.) number. The U.S. colour name may also be listed ("FD&C" or "D&C" followed by a colour name and number). Coal tar colours may be carcinogens. As well, colours may be contaminated with heavy metals and some contain aluminum (a neurotoxin), of particular concern in cosmetics that may be ingested, like lipstick.
8. Parabens: Used in cosmetics as a preservative, parabens easily penetrate the skin and are suspected of interfering with hormone function. Parabens may mimic estrogen, the primary female sex hormone. There's a possible association between parabens and breast cancer.
9. PEG compounds (e.g. PEG-60): Look also for related chemical propylene glycol and other ingredients with the letters "eth" (e.g., polyethylene glycol). PEG (polyethylene glycol) compounds are used in cream bases in cosmetics. PEG (and its chemical cousin propylene glycol) opens the skin's pores, allowing harmful ingredients to penetrate more deeply. PEG and other "ethoxylated" ingredients (which usually have chemical names including the letters "eth") may be contaminated with ethylene oxide and 1,4-dioxane. Both contaminants may cause cancer. Also, ethylene oxide may harm the nervous system and interfere with human development, and 1,4-dioxane can remain in the environment long after it's rinsed down the shower drain.
10. Petrolatum: This mineral oil jelly is used to lock moisture in the skin in a variety of moisturizers and in hair-care products to make hair shine. The petrochemical can be contaminated with cancer-causing polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs).
11. Sodium laureth sulfate and sodium lauryl sulfate: Sodium laureth sulfate is used in cosmetics as a cleansing agent and to make products bubble and foam. This and other "ethoxylated" ingredients (which usually have chemical names including "eth") may be contaminated with ethylene oxide and 1,4-dioxane. Both contaminants may cause cancer. Also, ethylene oxide may harm the nervous system and interfere with human development, and 1,4-dioxane can remain in the environment long after it's rinsed down the shower drain.
12. Triclosan: Used mainly in antiperspirants/deodorants, cleansers and hand sanitizers as a preservative and an anti-bacterial agent, it may interfere with hormone function. It's potentially toxic to aquatic organisms, and and can build up in the environment after it's rinsed down the shower drain. The extensive use of this chemical in consumer products may contribute to antibiotic-resistant bacteria.
Source: David Suzuki Foundation
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