British Columbia-based organization links baby lotions and shampoos to cancer and reproductive abnormalities

Edited by David Stein

A recent study that found elevated phthalate levels in infants after the use of baby lotions and shampoos highlights the need for ingredient labelling that identifies phthalates when they're in a product, the British Columbia-based Labour Environmental Alliance Society (LEAS) says. LEAS is the publisher of the CancerSmart Consumer Guide. LINK

"Phthalates were not included when Health Canada's labelling regulations for personal care products became effective in November, 2006. They're not included in U.S. labelling, either," said LEAS Research Coordinator Sean Griffin. "But since then Europe has gone on to ban certain phthalates from products intended for children and has banned two phthalates from use in cosmetics. "At the very least, Canada should require that phthalates be identified when they're in a product, so that parents can make an informed choice in deciding whether or not to buy a product," he said.

Griffin added that Canada should follow the lead of the EU and San Francisco, which have regulated the use of phthalates in products intended for children. Some phthalates, including dibutyl phthalate (DBP) and di 2-ethyl hexyl phthalates (DEHP), have been linked to reproductive abnormalities in baby boys.

LEAS executive director Mae Burrows, who is currently attended a Health Canada consultation on product labelling, said the issue demonstrates the importance of hazard labelling. "People should have the right to know what the ingredients are and whether an ingredient has potential for harm," she said.

The latest study, published in the February issue of Pediatrics, tested babies urine for the presence of nine different phthalates. They found levels of three specific phthalates that were associated with use of baby lotions and shampoos.

Since phthalates are used to stabilize fragrances, parents should avoid fragranced products wherever possible as one way of reducing exposure, Griffin said. "But without labelling, it's hard to know."

He also noted some manufacturers, including Burt's Bees and Avalon Organics -- both of which make baby products -- have committed to make products that are phthalate-free.

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