Posts Tagged ‘toxic’

Campaign for Safe Cosmetics, a coalition of US-based non-profit health and environmental groups just released a report regarding contamination of Halloween face paints by heavy metals. Although the CDC recommends against using cosmetics which contain lead on children, there’s no way of telling whether the paints contain toxic metals since they are not required to be listed on product labels (there is no legal requirement to list them because they’re considered contaminants, not  ingredients). The group looked at 10 children’s face paint brands and found:

• 10 out of 10 children’s face paints contained lead at levels between 0.05 and 0.65 parts per million (ppm).
• 6 out of 10 children’s face paints contained nickel, cobalt and/or chromium at levels between 1.6 to 120 ppm (this is much higher than the industry safety standard of 1 ppm said the report). These metals can be allergens in children.
• Snazaroo Face Paint contained some of the highest levels of lead, nickel and cobalt found in the study. This product carries the words “non-toxic” and “hypoallergenic” on its label.

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Two US studies demonstrated trace amounts of mercury in high fructose corn syrup (HFCS). For many years HFCS has been produced by using a caustic mercury-containing soda to separate the corn starch (which goes to make the syrup) from the corn kernel. Although many modern plants employ mercury-free technology, there are four US plants that still use mercury. A 2008 study looked at 55 popular branded (including Hershey’s, Quaker, Smucker’s and Kraft) foods and drinks where HFCS is the first or second highest labelled ingredient. Nearly one-third of them contained trace amounts of mercury. In 2007, then Senator Barack Obama brought forth legislation to make production facilities phase out mercury technology by 2012. Learn more about mercury toxicity.

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Most of us know about the dangers of second-hand smoke. But have you heard about third-hand smoke? If not, you’re not alone. A new Harvard study suggests that less than half of all US households have heard of the term, which refers to the residual toxic chemicals that can cling to people’s hair, clothing, furniture, carpeting, and other household surfaces, even after second-hand smoke has cleared the room. It’s what one smells when someone who was just smoking walks into a room, or when you enter a hotel room where people were smoking. Third-hand smoke is especially harmful to children and infants because they are more likely to inhale the chemicals when held in close proximity to a smoker, or someone who was exposed to second-hand smoke. Children are also more likely to touch and lick household surfaces, thus ingesting the toxins, which pose a cancer risk. Therefore, simply airing out a room, or even quitting smoking, may not completely protect children from the dangers of smoking. Parents should be cognizant of potential sources of third-hand smoke. A good tip is to change your clothing prior to cradling your child if you’ve been exposed to cigarette smoke.

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Did you know that manufacturers are not required to list the ingredients used in laundry products and air fresheners sold in the US? A new study from the University of Washington analyzed the chemical contents of top-selling detergents and air fresheners and found staggering amounts of toxic and volatile compounds which were not listed on any of the product labels. For example, one popular plug-in air freshener contained more than 20 unlisted volatile organic compounds, seven of which are regulated as toxic or hazardous under US laws. “Fragrance chemicals are of particular interest because of the potential for involuntary exposure,” said study leader Anne Steinemann, a UW professor of civil and environmental engineering. Her previous studies have showed that 20% of the population reported adverse health effects from air fresheners, and 10% complained of adverse effects from laundry product scents vented to the outdoors. These complaints doubled among people with asthma. Professor Steinemann hopes her research will raise public awareness and reduce exposures to potentially hazardous chemicals. In the meantime she recommends the use of scent-free consumer products. Full story.

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