Cancer Causing Chemicals Contaminate Baby Bubble Baths

Posted on Mar 12, 2009

Despite label claims like “gentle” and “pure,” dozens of top-selling children’s bath products are contaminated with the cancer-causing chemicals formaldehyde and 1,4-dioxane, according to a new report and product tests released today by the Campaign for Safe Cosmetics and the JustGreen Partnership. The chemicals are not disclosed on product labels because contaminants are exempt from labeling laws.

The Campaign study is the first to document the widespread presence of both formaldehyde and 1,4-dioxane in bath products for children, such as shampoos and soaps. Formaldehyde and 1,4-dioxane are known to cause cancer in animals, and are listed as probable human carcinogens by the US EPA. Formaldehyde can also trigger skin rashes in some children.

“Babies are sitting in bathtubs covered in bubbles from shampoo, body wash and bubble bath, all of which may contain formaldehyde, 1,4-dioxane, synthetic dyes, fragrance and other chemicals of concern,” said Kathy Curtis, Policy Director for Clean New York. “Parents have got to be able to trust that products on store shelves are safe. We need smarter laws that ensure all families have access to cosmetics and other products free of toxic chemicals."

“The same companies that create the market for soaps that contain powerful anti-bacterial agents, are dosing our children with cancer-causing chemicals,” said Russ Haven, Legislative Counsel for New York Public Interest Research Group (NYPIRG). “Instead of hyping cleanliness through fear mongering about germs, the manufacturers need to take the toxics out of their personal care products for kids.”

“It is outrageous that manufacturers can get away with putting known carcinogens into our personal care products,” said Assembly member Linda B. Rosenthal. “It is especially appalling when these products are used on children. The government’s lack of oversight and the industry’s failure to accurately label products must be remedied. I am currently working on legislation that will begin to address some of these issues, including the creation of a toxics information clearinghouse that would require a full disclosure of chemicals used in consumer products.”

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission says that "the presence of 1,4-dioxane, even as a trace contaminant, is cause for concern." But unlike many other countries, the U.S. government does not limit formaldehyde, 1,4-dioxane, or most other hazardous substances in personal care products. Companies are allowed to use virtually any ingredient in personal care products sold in the U.S. with no required safety assessment.

Other nations have stricter standards. Formaldehyde is banned from personal care products in Japan and Sweden.  The European Union bans 1,4-dioxane from personal care products and has recalled products found to contain the chemical.

A majority of the products tested, including baby shampoo, bubble bath and baby lotion, contained both formaldehyde and 1,4-dioxane, as well as other toxic chemicals. Parents often use all of these products on a child during a single bath session. While the baby products industry might argue that levels of contaminants found in individual products are “low,” the reality is that children often receive multiple chemical exposures from combinations of products and other sources in their environment.

The Campaign for Safe Cosmetics commissioned an independent laboratory to test 48 products for 1,4-dioxane; 28 of those products were also tested for formaldehyde.  The lab found that:

• 17 out of 28 products tested – 61 percent – contained both formaldehyde and 1,4-dioxane; these included Johnson’s Baby Shampoo, Sesame Street Bubble Bath, Grins & Giggles Milk & Honey Baby Wash and Huggies Naturally Refreshing Cucumber & Green Tea Baby Wash.
• 23 out of 28 products – 82 percent – contained formaldehyde at levels ranging from 79 parts per million (ppm) to 610 ppm. Baby Magic Baby Lotion had the highest levels of formaldehyde.
• 32 out of 48 products – 67 percent – contained 1,4-dioxane at levels ranging from 0.27 ppm to 35 ppm. American Girl shower products had the highest levels of 1,4-dioxane.

“There is no reason for bath products to contain carcinogens,” said Lisa Archer, national coordinator of the Campaign for Safe Cosmetics. “Public policy is failing our kids. Congress must act to protect our health and our future by reforming the federal policy that, at this moment, allows dangerous chemicals in our personal care products.”

Download the full report here.
The full results of the study can be found at www.safecosmetics.org/toxictub.

The following organizations provided product samples: Breast Cancer Fund, Clean New York, Clean Water Fund Connecticut, Clean Water Fund Massachusetts, Colorado Women’s Lobby, Commonweal, Environmental Working Group, For a Better Bronx, Institute for Agriculture and Trade Policy, Washington Toxics Coalition and Women’s Voices for the Earth.