Vella 1

Vella, Taylor
Dr. Colombo
UWRT 1104
1 March 2017
What are the effects of harmful chemicals in personal care products?

What are the harmful chemicals in cosmetics products and personal care products?
What are some techniques to know there are harmful chemicals in products?
How are they hurting people?
What are some organizations dedicated to preventing harmful chemicals in
cosmetics?
Why are there harmful chemicals in cosmetics?
Works Cited
 Vella 2

What are the harmful chemicals in cosmetics products and personal care
products?

Borowska and Brxosk report Cosmetics, preparations 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. Unfortunately, using these products in some cases
is related to the occurrence of unfavorable effects resulting from intentional or the accidental
presence of chemical substances, including toxic metals Due to the addition of metals in
cosmetics over time cosmetics have grown to be dangerous (Borowska et al., 2015)
Bisphenol A is an organic synthetic compound with the chemical formula
(CH)C(CHOH) belonging to the group of diphenylmethane derivatives and
bisphenols, with two hydroxyphenyl groups. (Calafat,2015)
Quaternium-15 is a chemical preservative that kills bacteria by releasing
formaldehyde. (Malkan et al., 2011)
One of the groups of dangerous substances present in cosmetics are heavy
metals, including particularly toxic elements such as lead (Pb), cadmium (Cd),
nickel (Ni), arsenic (As) and mercury (Hg). Apart from these toxic trace
metals, elements such as chromium (Cr), iron (Fe), copper (Cu) and cobalt
(Co) necessary, but dangerous when they occur in excessive amounts
may also be present in cosmetics. (Borowska et al., 2015)
Lead in lipstick? 1,4 dioxane in baby soap? Coal tar in shampoo? How is this
possible? Simple. The $35 billion cosmetics industry is so powerful theyve
kept themselves unregulated for decades. (Malkan,2007)
Exposure to phthalates in the developed world is pretty much universal.
However, at high doses, exposure to several phthalates has been associated
with a spectrum of male reproductive system disorders in animals
(Calafat,2015)
The most popular harmful chemicals in personal care products are phthalates,
Biphenyl A, lead (Pb), cadmium (Cd), nickel (Ni), arsenic (As), mercury (Hg), and
Quaternium-15.

Top
 Vella 3

What are some techniques to know there are harmful chemicals in

products?

Biomonitoring-technique used to measure the actual levels of synthetic

chemicals entering our bodies. (Malkan,2007)
Biomonitoring (measuring concentrations of chemicals or their metabolites
in people) (Calafat,2015)
biomonitoring NHANES data have been used to track exposure trends to
several environmental chemicals, including heavy metals, phthalates,
dichlorophenols, cotinine, pesticides, and polyfluoroalkyl substances
(Calafat,2015)
The European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) maintains a searchable data
system that provides chemical hazard and classification information on
chemicals manufactured or imported in Europe. It includes information from
the European Inventory of Existing Commercial Chemical Substances
(EINECS), the European List of Notified Chemical Substances (ELINCS) and the
European Classification and Labeling Inventory. (Geiser, 2015)
The newest of these grand-scale searchable databases is the EPA s
Aggregated Computational Toxicology Resource (ACToR), a product of the
agency s Computational Toxicology Research Program. ACToR aggregates
data from more than 500 public sources on more than 500,000 chemicals
searchable by chemical name, CAS number, and chemical structure. The data
cover chemical structure, physiochemical values, in vitro 228 Chapter 11
assay data and in vivo toxicology data on high- and medium-production
volume industrial chemicals, pesticides (active and inert ingredients), and
potential ground and drinking water contaminants. (Geiser, 2015)
1,358 natural substances appear in the International Nomenclature of
Cosmetic Ingredients (INCI list, inventory of ingredients employed in
cosmetic products) [Commission Decision 96/335/EC], most of them are
herbal products, others are of animal, fungal, or bacterial origin. (Klaschka,
2015)
1,358 natural substances appear in the International Nomenclature of
Cosmetic Ingredients (INCI list, inventory of ingredients employed in
cosmetic products) [Commission Decision 96/335/EC], most of them are
herbal products, others are of animal, fungal, or bacterial origin. (Klaschka,
2015)
Exposure to phthalates in the developed world is pretty much universal.
However, at high doses, exposure to several phthalates has been associated
with a spectrum of male reproductive system disorders in animals
(Calafat,2015)
In the 2009 report, No More Toxic Tub, the Campaign for Safe Cosmetics
also reported finding 1,4-dioxane in several products made by Johnson &
 Vella 4

Johnson, including Johnsons Baby Shampoo, Johnsons Oatmeal Baby Wash,

Johnsons Moisture Care Baby Wash and Aveeno Baby Soothing Relief Creamy
Wash.28 1,4-dioxane is widely recognized as a carcinogen in animal studies.
The federal Consumer Product Safety Commission reports that the presence
of 1,4-dioxane, even as a trace contaminant, is cause for concern.29
(Malkan et al., 2011)
Ways professionals can find harmful chemicals in cosmetics are through
biomonitoring and data bases full of organized data found through scientific
experiments.
Top
How are they hurting people?

Quaternium-15 is a chemical preservative that kills bacteria by releasing

formaldehyde. (Malkan et al., 2011)
Quaternium-15: Moderate Concerns: Allergies and immunotoxicity, Organ
system toxicity (nonreproductive); formaldehyde-releasing preservative
Formaldehyde: High Concerns: Cancer; Organ system toxicity (non-
reproductive); Occupational hazards Moderate Concerns: Allergies &
immunotoxicity; Irritation (skin, eyes, or lungs); Biochemical or cellular
level changes (Malkan et al., 2011)
Many baby soaps are contaminated with the cancer-causing chemical 1,4
dioxane. On average women use 12 personal care products every day
containg 168 chemical ingredients. Men use 6 products everyday
containing 85 chemicals. (Malkan,2007)
Exposure to phthalates in the developed world is pretty much universal.
However, at high doses, exposure to several phthalates has been
associated with a spectrum of male reproductive system disorders in
animals (Calafat,2015)
Endocrine disruptors are chemicals that, at certain doses, can interfere
with endocrine (or hormone) systems. These disruptions can cause
cancerous tumors, birth defects, and other developmental disorders. Any
system in the body controlled by hormones can be derailed by hormone
disruptors. (Calafat,2015)
Chemicals in cosmetics all have different negative effects on the body. Some of the
possible effects are the secretion of hormones that cause cancer in young
individuals, cause allergies, male reproductive harm, and endocrine disrupters that
cause tumors.
Top
 Vella 5

What are some organizations dedicated to preventing harmful chemicals in

cosmetics?

biomonitoring NHANES data have been used to track exposure

trends to several environmental chemicals, including heavy metals,
phthalates, dichlorophenols, cotinine, pesticides, and polyfluoroalkyl
substances (Calafat,2015)
The European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) maintains a searchable data
system that provides chemical hazard and classification information on
chemicals manufactured or imported in Europe. It includes information
from the European Inventory of Existing Commercial Chemical
Substances (EINECS), the European List of Notified Chemical
Substances (ELINCS) and the European Classification and Labeling
Inventory. (Geiser, 2015)
The newest of these grand-scale searchable databases is the EPA s
Aggregated Computational Toxicology Resource (ACToR), a product of
the agency s Computational Toxicology Research Program. ACToR
aggregates data from more than 500 public sources on more than
500,000 chemicals searchable by chemical name, CAS number, and
chemical structure. The data cover chemical structure, physiochemical
values, in vitro 228 Chapter 11 assay data and in vivo toxicology data
on high- and medium-production volume industrial chemicals,
pesticides (active and inert ingredients), and potential ground and
drinking water contaminants. (Geiser, 2015)
The European Union has banned more than 1,100 chemicals from
cosmetics. The United States has banned just 10. (Malkan,2007)
A dozen natural substances from the INCI list originate from plants
that are on the red list of endangered species in Germany (class 2 or
3), e.g. Drosera rotundifolia (sundew), Orchis morio (green-veined
orchid), Gentiana lutea (great yellow gentian), Arctostaphylos uva-
ursi (bearberry), or Arnica montana (mountain arnica). (Klaschka,
2015)
Many organizations are dedicated to finding harmful chemicals in cosmetics.
NHANES, European Inventory of Existing Commercial Chemical Substances
 Vella 6

(ELINCS), European chemical health agency (ECHA), United States government, and
the INCI.
Top

Why are there harmful chemicals in cosmetics?

Compounds of some metals are used for purpose in the cosmetic

industry, mainly as UV filters in face and body care products and
pigments in coloured cosmetics. (Borowska et al., 2015)
the company is still putting the formaldehydereleasing preservative
quaternium-15 into baby shampoo sold in the United States, Canada,
China, Indonesia and Australia, while Johnsons Baby Shampoo
formulas sold in Denmark, Finland, Japan, the Netherlands, Norway,
South Africa, Sweden and the U.K. contain non-formaldehyde
preservatives, according to a new analysis conducted by the Campaign
for Safe Cosmetics. (Malkan, Sarantis, Archer, Campaign for Safe, & Breast
Cancer, 2011)
Urea allows chemicals to penetrate deeper into the skin, and is added to products to
preserve and anti-microbial. (Tse, 2013)
a combination of nearly 3000 fragrant ingredients is added to most products to mask
odors or add a pleasant scent. (Tse, 2013)

These sources conclude the top reason for harmful chemicals in cosmetics is to
preserve the other rather safe ingredients in the products. The other concerns are
some chemicals that allow for products to penetrate deeper into the skin.
Top
 Vella 7

Works Cited
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

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

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

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.

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.
 Vella 8

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

Gabriola, B.C: New Society Pub.

Tse, L. (2013) Think Dirty [Application]. Retrieved from

https://www.thinkdirtyapp.com

Top