More than half the baby shampoo, lotion and other infant care products analyzed by Campaign for Safe Cosmetics, a non-profit health advocacy group were found to contain trace amounts of two chemicals that are believed to cause cancer.
Some of the biggest names including Johnson & Johnson Baby Shampoo and Baby Magic lotion, tested positive for 1,4-dioxane or formaldehyde, or both.
The chemicals, which are characterized as probable carcinogens, are not intentionally added to the products and neither are they listed on the labels. They appear to be byproducts during manufacturing. Formaldehyde is created when other chemicals in the product break down over time, while 1,4-dioxane is formed when foaming agents are combined with ethylene oxide or similar petrochemicals.
The European Union has banned 1,4-dioxane in personal care products, but the Food and Drug Administration has not established a safe limit for the chemical in shampoo, lotion and other toiletries. It maintains that the trace amounts found in those products are not harmful.
Source: Washington Post, 13 March 2009
Chapter: Baby,Hair Care,Skin Care :: 15 April 2009
