22nd October 2004

99% of products (personal care products + cosmetics) contain ingredients that have not been tested for safety. The Environmental Working Group's (EWG) study 'Skin Deep' studied 7500 brand name products. They found that 89% of chemicals had never been tested. EWG Toxicologist Dr Tim Kropp says 'Even the ones that have been tested have shown concerns for cancer, developmental problems'.

14 yr old Tagh Malady from Queensland discovered the potential side effects for himself when he used a Clairol Nice and Easy Black Hair Dye. With 24 hours of application, he says 'There was blisters all over where the dye had been, they were itching like crazy. My head was huge'. His mother Paula says 'he looked like he was in so much pain... there were no warnings to give you an idea that that sort of reaction could happen.'

The US survey found that the average adult uses around 9 personal care products daily - from soap to sunscreen - exposing yourself to 126 chemicals every day.

This research backs up what Environmental Scientist Dr Peter Dingle from Western Australia's Murdoch University, has been saying for years: 'We've got no idea what's actually in these products... these chemicals are a health hazard'

Sydney Hairdresser Wendy Shuar nearly gave up her profession 5 years ago when she felt that the chemically based dyes - especially the ammonia in them - were making her and her clients ill. Wendy says she witnessed '..burnt scalps, people suffering headaches...' Wendy replaced these products with organic alternatives, believing that many of our products are unsafe.

Dr Dingle says that 'about 90% of products out there have toxic ingredients I'd like to get rid of. Top of his 'hit list' are the same chemicals highlighted by the Skin Deep report - the potentially cancer causing contaminant triethylamine and substitute oestrogens known as methylparabens and propylparabens.

The companies which sell some of the products mentioned as potentially harmful in the Skin Deep report have said that they 'stand by the safety' of their products and comply with all relevant safety standards. NICNAS are the government body who regulate the chemicals used in these products. They say that all new chemicals are tested for safety and that they continually test chemicals used. Margaret Hartley, Director of NICNAS, says that in Australia 'We normally rely on testing being done anywhere else in the world such as in Europe and maybe in America... It's an obligation under the regulatory act (in Australia) for industry to ensure they are safe'

However, they do admit that not all chemicals have been tested due to the sheer numbers, but at the small levels used in products, these chemicals are not toxic. If a member of the public is concerned about any particular chemical they can contact NICNAS and nominate that that chemical be tested for safety.

For info on Australian Regulations and Testing requirements or to nominate a chemical for testing contact: NICNAS (National Industrial Chemicals Notification and Assessment Scheme)

Website: www.nicnas.gov.au
Tel: +61 (0)2 8577 8800