A new report by the Organic Consumers Association (OCA) released today found a toxic chemical linked to cancer in over 40 percent products that call themselves "natural". Last year, Environmental Working Group (EWG) found the carcinogen known as 1,4-dioxane in 28 percent of all personal care products after and exhaustive study of the ingredients in over 27,000 products.
"A chemical known to cause cancer in animals and possibly humans should not be in shampoos, soap and other personal care products we used on our children," said Richard Wiles, Executive Director of EWG. " This ingredient is easy to remove, but companies often don't take it out, leaving their customers at risk. Without federal standards in place to regulate this, or any other chemical in personal care products, consumers are left with little choices and even less knowledge about the problem."
EWG's investigation found that 1,4-Dioxane is a potential contaminant in:
- 55% of baby bubble baths
- 57% of baby shampoos
- 55% of baby soaps
- 43% of body firming lotion
- 37% of anti-aging lotions
- 35% of around-eye creams
EWG is a nonprofit research organization based in Washington, DC that uses the power of information to protect human health and the environment. The group's research on personal care products is available online at http://www.cosmeticsdatabase.com/
Note: This story has been adapted from a press release issued by EWG.
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