Avoid Chemicals In Baby Products

Your baby smells even more beautiful after her bath, but as you wash her hair, lather her up with soap, and then slather on lotion, you could actually be exposing her to toxic chemicals. Chemicals—studies show—that are linked to cancer, autism, learning disabilities, infertility, allergic reactions and skin irritation, and other health complications.

Take Johnson’s baby shampoo. The product description states “as gentle to the eyes as pure water,” yet it isn’t as mild as you’re led to believe. In 2009, the Campaign for Safe Cosmetics found two chemicals in the shampoo that are linked to cancer: 1,4-dioxane, which is added to create suds, and quaternium 15, a preservative that kills bacteria by releasing formaldehyde. This past October, the chemicals showed up once again in product tests.

Of particular concern to the medical community and environmental health advocates are phthalates. A group of chemicals known as endocrine disruptors, phthalates affect the body’s hormonal system and can cause harm at critical times of development like during infancy and puberty.

“Phthalates interfere with reproductive functioning by reducing the levels of sex hormones that are critical for development and functioning of sex organs,” according to Lisa Archer, National Director for the Campaign for Safe Cosmetics at the Breast Cancer Fund. “Our hormonal systems are really exquisitely finely tuned, and when we mess with those systems, you can have real problems,” she said.  Read more