apr 02

Not Safe for Baby?

Parents are alarmed by a new study that suggests that baby lotions, powders, and shampoos may be exposing young children to potentially harmful chemicals called phthalates. Many phthalates (pronounced thal-ates) interfere with hormones (especially testosterone), and have been shown to alter normal reproductive development.

Phthalates are found in a wide array of consumer products, including cosmetics and fragrances, pharmaceuticals and vinyl children's toys. Phthalates have no place in any consumer products, but their presence in products intended for babies is particularly alarming since phthalates interfere with normal reproductive and hormonal development. These chemicals are easily inhaled and also absorbed through the skin.

The FDA regulates personal care products, including cosmetics, in the United States. Under the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic (FD&C) Act, cosmetics and their ingredients are not required to undergo approval before they are sold to the public. Pregnant women and children should avoid products that contain phthalates but because there are no labeling requirements it is virtually impossible for consumers to know which products may pose a risk.

The simplest way to try to avoid phthalates is to buy fragrance-free and unscented products (although even ‘unscented' products may contain some chemicals to mask odor). There are a number of baby personal care product manufacturers that make at least some of their products phthalate-free, California Baby, Burt's Bees and Baby's Bliss are just a few. It is best to check the label to be sure it reads "phthalate-free".

The European Union has banned the phthalates DEHP and DBP, so products manufactured and sold in Europe shouldn't contain these phthalates but they may contain other phthalates such as DEP. While companies are required to list their ingredients on the label, phthalates are most commonly added to products for fragrance, which is just listed as ‘fragrance' on the label. You won't see phthalates such as dibutylphthalate (DBP), dimethylphthalate (DMP), or diethylphthalate (DEP) listed on the label of personal care items.

Personal care products that are marketed as "natural" can be just about anything, there are no labeling requirements. Companies may use the word "organic" in the product name or on the label, without complying with the USDA's organic certification. And even products that are USDA certified organic can legally contain chemicals; most packaging identifies the percentage of the ingredients by weight that have been certified organic.


Select fragrance-free or unscented products. Phthalates, hormone-disrupting chemicals, are frequently added to products, along with many other chemicals, as fragrance.	Contact the makers of a couple of your favorite brands of beauty, personal care or baby products and ask them if there are phthalates in their products. When manufactorers hear from hundreds of customers, they start to pay attention.	Take stock of you medicine cabinet. Don't be fooled by the words "natural" or "organic" in the product name. Even products that are USDA certified organic can contain chemicals; most packaging identifies the percentage of the ingredients by weight that have been certified organic