The EWG—an environmental nonprofit—conducted a survey of several cosmetics labels purchased from drug stores on-line and on-site. The survey revealed the presence of DBP in 37 products purchased. The list includes certain nail products manufactured by the following companies: Chanel, Christian Dior, Club Moanco, Cosmar, Cover Girl, Hard Candy, Max Factor, Maybelline, Oil of Olay, Tony & Tina, Sally Hansen, Urban Decay, and Wet ‘n’ Wild. From these results, the group predicts that about a third of all nail products contain the dangerous substance.
The EWG also surveyed pending patents that proposed using DBP in beauty products. The group found that manufacturers are contemplating use of DBP in shampoos, conditioners, lotions, hair growth products, antiperspirants, and sunscreens.
The EWG conducted the study in response to a Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) study that revealed that women of reproductive age have higher levels of DBP than other groups. The EWG predicted that the link might be cosmetics. DBP is a common additive in lotions to make them absorb more deeply into skin and in nail products to make polishes and hardeners less likely to peel, smoother, and more adhesive. DBP can be absorbed through both skin and nails, creating higher levels of DBP in cosmetics users.
DBP has been linked to birth defects through various animal laboratory studies. In particular, the phthalate is thought to cause damage to the male reproductive system. The health risks prompted a CDC study of the use of phthalates in toys published last summer. Since DBP can be absorbed through skin, the EWG recommends that women who are pregnant, planning on becoming pregnant, or breast-feeding discontinue using products containing DBP. Cosmetics manufacturers are not required to provide contents labels on their products. Accordingly, the EWG recommends purchasing only those products with labels that do not list DBP as an ingredient.
After concluding the study, the EWG called for an industry-sponsored study of chemicals commonly used in cosmetics, in order to determine which ingredients pose a risk of harm. The group is also requesting that additional cosmetics labeling requirements be imposed to make it easier for consumers to determine a product’s contents.
To read the results of the EWG study visit its Web site at www.ewg.org/pub/home/reports/beautysecrets/pr.html
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