Yikes.
Meanwhile, companies that make these products insist the headlines are overblown. “Oftentimes these risks are taken out of context,” says John Bailey, executive vice president for science for the Cosmetic, Toiletry and Fragrance Association. “Most tests for toxicity are done on very high concentrations—exaggerated concentrations.” Formaldehyde, which is used in some nail polish, for example, is a preservative that has toxic effects only in high concentrations, says Bailey.
But in the wake of recent studies at Wayne State University and the University of Toronto that raised questions about nail polish compounds’ effects on memory and verbal learning, some consumers may decide to swear off manicures. No need, says Bailey. “You’d have to almost drink the nail polish to get even close to the concern,” he says. “The products are safe. You can’t really say that a test at high dose means there’s a risk at a low dose.” His advice: follow product directions.
Despite those reassurances, it’s difficult to turn away from those “Why your bathroom might be lethal” news reports. Often shoppers are not sure what to do with the scary information that bombards them almost daily. “It’s not like you can completely ignore the news, says Emily Hebert, 32, who sells radio ads in Chicago. “At the same time, I really feel like you could also walk out your front door and get hit by a bus.” When she read that some types of black hair dye could possibly increase the risk of some kinds of cancer, Hebert was concerned, but not enough to rule out ever dying her hair. “I’m not going to have gray hair at 32,” she says.
So what are your options if you’re not ready to go off the grid—or live with gray roots? Here are five common-sense tactics and some helpful Web sites you can use to help you stay safe—and sane.
- Pay Attention to Government Recalls: These products pose real dangers. Often items appear in headlines when problems are suspected but not yet confirmed, but the government only orders a recall when there’s a decided risk. To see a list of government recalls of everything from cribs to iced-tea makers, go to recalls.gov. (This site will have details on the spate of kids’ toys recalled recently because of lead paint issues.)
You can even sign up to receive automatic e-mails of recalls. The Consumer Product Safety Commission recalls 400 to 450 products a year, so if that number of e-mail notices seems daunting, customize what announcements you’d like (for example, only children’s products).
Cut Back: “The average woman uses 12 products a day, 168 different ingredients a day on her skin, her lips, her hands,” says EWG’s Houlihan. “The simple act of cutting down on what you’re using will reduce exposures.” Even CTFA vice president John Hurson agrees. “Moderation is always the best policy,” he says. For example, use baking soda instead of air freshener or open the windows, suggests Houlihan. Consider indulging in fewer manicures, especially if you’re pregnant.
Pick Your Poisons: You can’t avoid everything that might be dangerous. So look at the evidence and balance the benefits of a product versus its potential hazards. “People have different ideas about what’s necessary,” says Dr. Gina Solomon, a senior scientist for the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC). “Some people think they can’t live without nail polish, others without air fresheners.”
Unfortunately, basic ingredient information about cosmetics or household deodorizers isn’t always easy to get. Manufacturers can just say “fragrance” on a label, for example, instead of breaking out chemicals like phthalates, which some researchers think may be linked to decreases in sperm quality and to changes in baby boys’ reproductive organs.
If you want to compare grocery items and get the scoop on what’s in them, check out the Environmental Working Group’s Web site foodnews.org for a ranking of foods containing the most pesticides (peaches) down to the fewest pesticides (avocadoes and onions).
For personal care products, see the EWG’s cosmetics Web database cosmeticdatabase.org and ewg.org/sunscreen for sunscreen ratings. Cosmeticdatabase.org rates products from “low hazard” (0-2) to “high hazard” (7-10). By that rating, Ogilivie Home Perm scored a 9; Walgreens Baby Sunblock scored an 8 and Tom’s of Maine unflavored anti-plaque floss scored a zero.
Find ‘Safer’ Brands: To find companies that signed agreements to eliminate potentially unsafe ingredients in their cosmetic and body-care products, including the Body Shop and Burt’s Bees, check the Campaign for Safe Cosmetics’ Web site: safecosmetics.org/companies/signers.cfm. To look at industry research on ingredients, go to the Cosmetic Industry Review site, cir-safety.org. “There are safer products on the market in most product categories,” says Stacy Malkan, a spokesman for the Campaign for Safe Cosmetics and for Health Care Without Harm and author of “Not Just a Pretty Face: The Ugly Side of the Beauty Industry.”
Go Fragrance Free: If you’re really concerned about phthalates in particular, choose unscented products when you can. In 2002, the Campaign for Safe Cosmetics tested a range of products, including deodorants, perfumes and conditioners, and found that 70 percent of them have phthalates. The group believes the percentage is still the same today. With perfumes and other fragrance-laden items that Americans slather on their skin, “you create a personal cloud,” says Russ Hauser, associate professor of environmental and occupational epidemiology at the Harvard School of Public Health. Pregnant and breastfeeding moms, he says, should be particularly careful about limiting their exposure to phthalate-containing products.
Manufacturer trade groups insist their products are safe. Advocacy groups “trying to make products look dangerous,” says Bill Lafield of the Consumer Specialty Products Association. “There are people who are putting out a lot of misinformation that’s scaring people.” Still, being careful can’t be a bad idea.
