Pretty Ugly; the Cover-up Behind the Beauty Business summarized the dangerous practices of the cosmetics industry. Since the article’s first addition, there have been major developments that may put pressure on once trusted personal care product producers to change their wicked ways. Hopefully, the following findings will help bring about reluctant changes to many companies that continue to use of known toxins to produce their lotions and potions.
Stronger Measures Are Needed to Protect Pregnant Women In June of last year, scientists and health experts pressed for stronger measures to protect pregnant women and infants from pollutants and chemicals that disrupt the endocrine system. This call to action from The Endocrine Society, composed of 14,000 hormone researchers and medical specialists in more than 100 countries, warned that “even infinitesimally low levels of exposure (to endocrine-disrupting chemical) may cause endocrine or reproductive abnormalities, particularly if exposure occurs during the critical developmental window. One of their constituents, Columbia University, tested the air collected in backpacks worn by pregnant women and found that even “low doses (of toxic chemical exposure) may even exert more potent effects than higher doses”.
In November of last year, the Environmental Working Group (EWG) published the results of of its’ now famous “Ten American Study” which found as many as 232 chemicals in the blood of 10 Americans. Surprisingly, these Americans were not refinery workers or field hands; they were 10 newborns, all of minority descent. While the sample is too small to project national trends, the Minority Cord Blood Study, commissioned by he EWG in conjunction with Rachel’s Network, has produced hard new evidence that, beginning in the womb, American children are being exposed to complex mixtures of dangerous substances. This is of particular concern especially to the delicate fetus who lacks the protective blood brain barrier. In recent years, we have seen a dramatic increase in the amount of cancers, developmental disabilities, and physiological abnormalities in children. Although the chemical companies argue that the exposure is less than significant, the Cord Blood Study hastens further investigation into the potential lifelong consequences of exposure to toxic chemicals in the womb.
What’s a Mother to Do? Molly Jones Gray, ND, LM, suggests, “Don’t put anything on a babies’ skin that you wouldn’t eat.” Good advice from a licensed midwife who suffered a miscarriage and was left wondering why. She is featured in Dr. Sanje Gupte’s CNN series entitled Toxic America. While we may not be able to control everything our children are exposed to in and out of the womb, her advice on skincare is well taken for babies, children and grown-ups alike.
Patti,
This is VERY informative. It shows that the researchers have just started to bring to light the harmful ingredients that the cosmetics industry have been using, and the horrible side effects they can bring. I hope that the research continues and even at a faster pace. This just proves the urgent need for organic and chemical free products. Our children depend on us. Who else can they depend on??
Claire
Claire, thank you for your comment. There is plenty of research that points to our need for safer products for all of us, cradle to the grave. The industry argument that the dose of harmful chemicals being introduced into our systems being “too small to cause a significant reaction” is interesting considering big pharma relies on chemical reactions based on parts per billion when formulating their compounds. Small doses at least twice per day add up, especially in little bodies. Knowledge is power and thanks for helping spread the word! Patti