Friday, January 29, 2010

Cosmetic Chemicals Linked to Birth Defects

     Hello Kittens! In my endeavor to practice "extreme self care" in the new year, I'm afraid I have gotten behind on my blogging. Assuredly, however, you can count on your Kitty to keep testing and evaluating green and natural products on Organic Orgy and Zen of Homekeeping (just click my profile to access the blogs). I subscribe to Rodale news, which provides a lot of insight into healthy living and sustainable lifestyle practices. This morning I was shocked to find the latest research on toxins in cosmetics that are definitively linked to birth defects as well as lowered cognition in children.
     Today, the journal, Environmental Health Perspectives released a study which ties fragrance (for the body and home) and plastic-softening chemicals (phthalates) to behavioral problems and lower test scores in children exposed to the chemicals before birth. According to the Rodale article, 


"To figure out phthalate exposure, Mount Sinai researchers tested the urine of 188 expectant mothers during their third trimester of pregnancy for the presence of 10 specific phthalate metabolites. Then, mothers were interviewed one to three times while their children were 4 to 9 years old, answering standard questionnaires to assess their children's behavior and cognitive functioning. The researchers found that prenatal exposure to a group of phthalates commonly found in personal-care products like makeup, hairspray, perfume, body sprays, scented shampoos, soaps, and lotions was significantly associated with poorer scores for problems with aggression, conduct, and emotional control. Associations did not appear to differ between boys and girls overall, and the associations were stronger as with higher levels of exposure."


     Nasty phthalates are found in air fresheners, plastic products (like bottles and sippy cups), perfumes, and cosmetics. While I was pregnant about 11 years ago, I had to give up perfumes because smells made me nauseous but I certainly was ignorant about things that leach out of plastics (like frozen entrees in the microwave) and candles. The thing about fragrances is their formulas are considered proprietary so manufacturers don't have to tell us what's really in them. Unless your fragrant products are made from essential oils (natural perfumers like Pacifica and Lavanilla are more than happy to let you know), the perfume can contain all sorts of nasty chems like formaldehyde and phthalates. Gross! Check the labels on your home cleaning supplies, detergents, candles and so forth, kittens! 


    

10 comments:

  1. Oh Kitty, I am so calling a pregnant friend right now! Thank you for this important and informative post!

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  2. Glad to be of help. If I had an infant in the house, there would be no plastic bottles (I'd get glass with rubber nipples) or teething rings and nothing but organic cloth toys made in Canada or the US. For shizzle!

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  3. That proprietary issue is become a big one - I think we'll see it change soon. On the perfumes, I think the safest bets are Hermes and Chanel. They are really the last couture perfumers making truly couture perfumes - the book Deluxe: How Luxury Lost It's Luster details how they still use the original formulas. Most other perfumers now use tons of additives. Chanel is now the only major perfumer that has its own flower fields. But as for the rest of them... certainly, never buy discount perfumes!

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  4. Sanity Fair: thanks for the info. Perhaps I can add Chanel Allure back into my repertoire. I'm going to look up that book! Nice to hear from you! xo kitty

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  5. I had missed this Kitty. No big surprise that so many around me have been diagnosed with cancer. Makes a person wonder if this (among other factors) has to do with the rising #'s of children with Autism? I'm more & more shocked that all 4 of my children were born healthy. Very blessed and I don't forget it.
    Before I do forget, would you recommend Arcona Resurfacing pads for a man(25)? My eldest son has such problems with his skin.
    Kitty hope Jan. is getting better? I'm praying long & hard for a better 2010 for us all. No more shit sandwiches for any of my incredibly kind friends, especially you. Hugs from Houston xx deb

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  6. DT: I promise to be more timely with my posts. Arcona Resurfacing pads are exactly what I recommend. They're the bomb. As for the shit sandwiches, well, I've put a stop to them and now I'm just cleaning up messes and putting out fires. Love to you Deb!

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  7. GREAT post! We really need to know what's in EVERYTHING we buy! It's scarrry!

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  8. Kris: I think it's rather criminal that all ingredients aren't revealed!

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  9. Have you blogged about healthy perfumes? I have not use perfume since I became aware of the pitfalls and I miss a nice fragrance. What are your recommendations?

    Linda at citizen Green

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  10. Hi Linda, I have mentioned perfumes a few times. I will pull up the links to the posts and send them to you. I use only Lavanilla and L'Occitane, but Pacifica is good and safe too. I will plan a future post around fragrances; thanks for coming over! xo kitty

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