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Vella, Taylor

Dr. Colombo

UWRT 1104

14 February 2017

What are the effects of harmful chemicals in personal care products?

Borowska, S., & Brzoska, M. M. (2015). Metals in cosmetics: implications for hum health. Journal of

Applied Toxicology, 35(6), 551-572, doi:10.1002/jat.3129

This peer reviewed article explains how cosmetics repeatedly applied directly to the human skin,
mucous membranes, hair and nails, should be safe for health, however, recently there has been
increasing concern about their safety. This article discusses the unfavorable results of the products.
Specific harmful metals are also brought to our attention in everyday face and body products people are
using.

Calafat, A. M., Valentin-Blasini, L., & Ye, X. (2015). Trends in Exposure to Chemicals in Personal

Care and Consumer Products. Current Environmental Health Reports, 2(4), 348-355.

doi:10.1007-s40572-015-0065-9

This article discusses the testing of toxic chemicals, and the different possible ways it is being executed
in consumer products and the process of evaluation of the replacement chemicals. The article talks
about comparing chemicals used in the United States to chemicals used in Canada and Germany. The
article brings up a flaw that data on potential human health effects of these chemicals are sometimes
limited and even contradictory.

Environmental health sourcebook: Basic consumer health information about the environment and its

effects on human health, including facts about air, water, and soil contamination, hazardous

chemicals, foodborne chemicals and illnesses, natural disasters, household hazards such as

mold, radon, and carbon monoxide, consumer hazards from toxic products and imported goods,

and disorders linked to environmental causes, including chemical sensitivity, cancer, allergies,

and asthma ; along with information about technologically altered foods, radiation exposure, a

glossary of related terms, and resources for additional help and information. (2016).
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This book provides information about the effects of the environment on human health, including
specific populations such as pregnant women, children, the elderly, and minorities for which the effects
of environmental exposures are especially harmful. It covers airborne, waterborne, foodborne, and
chemical hazards, and health risks associated with some common household items, and includes a
directory of resources for additional information.

Geiser, K. (2015). Chemicals without harm: Policies for a sustainable world.

This peer reviewed article brings to attention thousands of synthetic chemicals used to make our
clothing, cosmetics, household products, electronic devices, even our children's toys. This article
presents Ken Geiser different strategy, based on developing and adopting safer alternatives to
hazardous chemicals rather than focusing exclusively on controlling them.

Klaschka, U. (2015). Naturally toxic: natural substances used in personal care products. Environmental

Sciences Europe: Bridging Science and Regulation at the Regional and European

Level, 27(10), 1-13.

This peer reviewed article explores natures divers supply of chemical compounds that boast a wide
array of physiological effects. They explain how many natural substances are employed in personal
care products. The article tells which of these natural substances are hazardous ingredients and how
European legal instruments regulate natural substances with toxic effects.

Malkan, S., Sarantis, H., Archer, L., Campaign for Safe Cosmetics., & Breast Cancer Fund.

(2011). Baby's tub Is still toxic: Two years after public outrage about cancer-causing chemicals

in baby shampoo, America's leading baby shampoo is caught in a double standard. San

Francisco, Calif.: Campaign for Safe Cosmetics.

This report documented the presence of carcinogenic formaldehyde-releasing preservatives in

Johnsons Baby Shampoo in some countries, while formulas sold in other countries were found to be
free of these chemicals. This journal is trying target Johnson and Johnson to make their formulas
universal and equal in high quality products for all consumers.

Malkan, S. (2007). Not just a pretty face: The ugly side of the beauty industry. Gabriola, B.C: New

Society Pub.

This book describes to how to navigating the cosmetics industry. The book explains how companies
that produce personal care products are largely unregulated by any federal agencies and most
companies are unwilling to remove toxic chemicals from their products in the US, even after being
forced to do so in the EU after new guidelines were passed. Malkan also brings up some comforting
consumer and environmental movements in the US that are trying to bring light to this subject.
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Tse, L. (2013) Think Dirty [Application]. Retrieved from https://www.thinkdirtyapp.com

This app allows women to scan their beauty products and it will indicate the levels of toxicity and other
safe alternative options. The research from this app is from scientists, the Breast Cancer Research
Center, and Campaign for safe cosmetics. The app contains 604,513 products available to research.