No More Tears or Toxic Exposures from Baby Shampoo

Baby powders, lotions and shampoos -- pure as the driven snow right? Not so much. A new study published this week in Pediatrics Journal surmises that toxic chemicals linked to infertility are getting into babies' bodies from their routine use of personal care products.

The chemicals in question are called phthalates. Decades of research on lab animals show that phthalates cause infertility, birth defects and other malformations of the male reproductive tract -- health problems that have (coincidentally?) been increasing in people over the past few decades. Several human studies indicate that phthalates may adversely affect health at levels commonly found in people. Developing babies are at highest risk from these toxic exposures.

So doesn't it make sense that shampoos and lotions should not contain these chemicals? Unfortunately, most do (see 2002 study that found phthalates in 70% of personal care products tested) [PDF], and the chemicals are not even listed on labels due to weak labeling laws that exempt companies from disclosing fragrance ingredients.

So what's a parent to do? The study authors advise: "If parents want to decrease exposures, then we recommend limiting the amount of infant care products used, and not to apply lotions or powders unless indicated for a medical reason."

So that's what it's come to: avoiding baby products in order to avoid chemicals suspected of causing reproductive harm. This, of course, should be a wake-up call to the beauty industry. Parents and women of childbearing age can stop using products in order to protect their health and fertility. Or the billion-dollar beauty companies can start making products without these toxic chemicals.

Until then, consumers are advised to use fewer products, choose products with no added synthetic fragrance, and call the companies to let them know what you think about toxic exposures that put our reproductive health at risk.

Fact sheet how to avoid phthalates.

Comments

[ldelp84227]

I have written about these problems for 10 years and also at this site for several years. It is not just baby products, most cosmetics, soaps, detergents, cleaning products, the list goes on and on. For some reason most people just bloe it off. There are millions that suffer just around fragrance but then there are thousands of chemicals that haven't even been tested for safety. The EU government started using safer products several years ago. So many companies make two sets of products the dangerous products for the US and the safer version for other countries. And the Bush Administration fought and wrote to other countries telling them not to go along with the EU Government. They only seem to care about babies being borne and then the hell with them after that. Many people with asthma have a irritant induced asthma and have to live a chemical free life, but it is difficult living in an apartment where many have the exhaust system right by the windows. So basically it is like having the dryer exhaust coming into your home especially if the window is open. You can't even take a walk and leave the window open or when you get home the place is full of the fumes. If you want to read more check out my writings here at the site. Linda

[loril]

Well, i might be kind of stupid...and I am not quite old enough to have been a hippy. (Couldn't help that one.) But, it does not help that this stuff is also labeled and marketed as 'gentle" and "non irritating". And that pediatricians say nothing about avoiding it.

Yes, it is my ultimate responsibility as the parent. But, I try to keep up with things as much as possible (given my lack of time to read lately) and this is the first I have ever heard of phthalates. Am I truly the only person over the age of 40 who has not?

By the way, I made my own baby food, I avoid almost all processed foods and I never used baby powder or perfumed lotions on my daughter. However, I do need to bathe her regularly...and I went with what I THOUGHT was a better choice than regular old soap. So, lectures on our lack of hippy cred might be fun...but articles actually pointing out specific problems to us "dumb young folk" are more effective in the long run.

[Oread]

yeah, there's a great baby/big person shampoo and household soap, and it's called DOCTOR BRONNER'S. Good lord, how long has this stuff been around?! Get with it on the hippie stuff already people, I agree with the commenters who wondered where all the knowledge gleaned in the 60's and 70's went...and I am amazed people still need to be told not to put irritating chemicals on their scalps and bodies and on their eating utensils or on their clothes!!!

[stevesrant]

I've said it on other posts: I am amazed at how much of what we learned in the sixties and seventies has been completely forgotten. This is news, that fragrance-free talc, A%D, vaseline, pure soap and water are all that should touch your baby's skin? Phosphate and enzyme free detergent, cloth diapers? This is 'green', this is news? That cosmetics are toxic, that our government cannot be trusted to protect our health? It blows my old hippy's mind!

[hopeless277]

The CPC says not to worry. Everything is fine. The jury is still out. There is no concrete proof. Our scientists tell us the products are safe. It's just speculation. Our Republican inspectors have cleared the beauty industry of all wrongdoing and have issued retroactive immunity for all companies making these products even though they did no wrong. So mothers, you may rest easy tonight. Your Republican government is potecting your baby just like they did with the lead paint in her toys. Aren't Republicans just great???