Several everyday consumer products are made with toxic chemicals
that can't be found anywhere on the package label.
In a study, 40 household products such as hair coloring, lipstick
and paints were tested for toxic chemicals. Out of these 40 products,
evidence of the following chemicals was discovered in 34 of the
products: glycols, organic solvents and phthalates. These chemicals
did not appear on the label of the products.
Although the study didn't test at what level these chemicals were
harmful to people, they did find that these chemicals could contribute
to impacting the nervous system, reproductive system and cause other
health issues. For this reason, researchers expressed the need to
look further into chemical affects and people's level of exposure
to them.
Researchers also stated the most common toxic chemical that people
would most likely inhale come from household products. These chemicals
included chlorine, toluene, xylene, methyl, ethyl ketone and n-hexane.
Based on the findings from these studies, environmental groups
recommended stricter labeling requirements.
A chemical spokesperson stated that these claims weren't supported
by scientific evidence and served merely as scare tactics as a way
to get people to not buy the products they depend on for everyday
use. Another spokesperson for the cosmetic industry claimed that
the amount of toxic chemicals used in cosmetics and other household
products was very low and regulated by the Food and Drug Administration.
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News July 14, 2004
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