How dangerous are your baby products?
The recent laws enacted banning the use of phthalates has stirred up a number of concerns for me both as a consumer and as a parent. To understand my concerns I will explain something about how phthalates are used in various products. Some may know that phthalates in its most common form (phthalitic acid) is used to make plastic more flexible, rendering them “chewy” or “squishy” like that rubber duckie that your kid may play with at bath time.
What may not be common knowledge is that phthalates are also used in heavy amounts as a fragrance “binder” or stabilizer in a number of cosmetic and hygiene products like baby shampoos, baby powders, bubble baths, sunblock and a startling number of other common products. Sure there are a number of other things to be on the look out for in these type of products, but right now I’ll focus on phthalates.
Why are phthalates so bad? And why has its use been outlawed in Europe for almost ten years? There has been growing evidence that fetuses exposed (through systemic contact in the womb) to phthalates, or through prolonged exposure as an infant or child have shown that it is an endocrine disruptor and in certain circumstances may create a resistance to insulin which is said to be a precursor to type-II diabetes, as well as increase their chances of cancer later in life.
Now that lawmakers are in the process of drafting and approving laws against the use of phthalates (as of 01/01/09, California banned phthalates) in products, it begs the question, “Who’s checking phthalate levels in products on the shelf, today?” On resource that I have found, that I want to share with you is the cosmetic database, SKIN DEEP – Cosmetic Safety Database.
It is pretty straight-forward, the rating system is based on a scale from 1-10 (10 being the most dangerous). What I like about this database is if you cannot find a given product (say, the one in your hand), you can simple type in all the active ingredients listed on the label and it will give you a cursory rating of it. I have to admit, I am hooked on this thing. I just checked some blueberry scented kid’s shampoo we got on sale (impulse) and it was rated a 7. I am returning it this afternoon.
Let me (and the others) know what you think about the database.
Sited & Related Links:
SKIN DEEP – Cosmetic Safety Database
Wikipedia | phthalates
Wikipedia | endocrine disruptor
National Research Center for Women & Children | Phthalates and Children’s Products
MSNBC | Baby shampoo study raises chemical concerns
