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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, and Brzoska MM. Metals in Cosmetics: Implications for Human Health. Journal of

Applied Toxicology : JAT, vol. 35, no. 6, 2015, pp. 55172. MEDLINE/PubMed.

This 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 every day.

Calafat, AM, et al. Trends in Exposure to Chemicals in Personal Care and Consumer

Products. Current Environmental Health Reports, vol. 2, no. 4, 2015, pp. 348

55. MEDLINE/PubMed.

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. Detroit, MI,

Omnigraphics Inc., A division of Relevant Information, Inc., 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, Ken. Chemicals without Harm: Policies for a Sustainable World. Ebook, Cambridge, Mass, The

MIT Press, 2015.

This 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, Ursula. Naturally Toxic: Natural Substances Used in Personal Care Products. Environ Sci

Eur Environmental Sciences Europe : Bridging Science and Regulation at the Regional and

European Level, vol. 27, no. 1, 2015, pp. 113. SpringerLink.

This article explores Natures divers supply of chemical compounds that boast a wide array of
physiological effects. They explain 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, Stacy, et al. Babys Tub Is Still Toxic. Campaign for Safe Cosmetics, 2011, Babys Tub Is Still

Toxic, www.safecosmetics.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/02/Babys-Tub-Is-Still-Toxic.pdf.

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, Stacy. Not just a pretty face: the ugly side of the beauty industry. Gabriola, B.C., New Society

Pub., 2007.

This book describes to girls the guide to navigating the cosmetics industry. Companies that produce
personal care products are largely unregulated by any federal agencies (namely the FDA) 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, Lily. Think Dirty. Computer Software. Campaign for safe cosmetics.

This app allows women to scan their beauty products and it will indicate the levels of toxicity and other
safe alternatives located in that store. The research from this app come from scientists and the breast
cancer research center and Campaign for safe cosmetics. The app contains 604,513 products available
to research.