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New product tests have found phthalates, which are known to
cause birth defects in laboratory animals, for the first time in two popular
brands of lipstick, Moon Drops Lipstick by Revlon and Lipfinity Paint by Max
Factor. Both lipsticks also contained toxic glycols and organic solvents.
The tests were conducted by National Environmental Trust (NET) and released
yesterday in the new report, "Cabinet Confidential." See results at
http://www.net.org
The tests also found phthalates in several other beauty products, including
L'Oreal Preference Hair Color Conditioner, Pantene Pro V Shampoo and
Conditioner, Revlon Skinlights Face Illuminator and Lancome Renergie Lift
Makeup. The chemical wasn't listed on any of the labels.
"We urge people to avoid these products
until the cosmetics companies remove these unnecessary, toxic
chemicals. There is no reason on Earth for these companies to put
chemicals linked to birth defects into products we smear on our lips
and faces," said Bryony Schwan, national campaigns director of Women's
Voices for the Earth (WVE).
Legislation to ban phthalates from cosmetics in California passed the Senate
Health Committee June 30 and is moving through the state legislature.
"As we discover more and more cosmetic products with phthalates, it is clear
that we must take action to make the companies remove them," Schwan said.
The European Union has already banned two phthalates from cosmetics, along
with other chemicals known to be reproductive toxins or carcinogens.
WVE and NET are part of the national
coalition, The Campaign for Safe Cosmetics. The campaign is urging
companies to sign the Compact with America, a pledge to remove
carcinogens and reproductive toxins from cosmetics. See www.safecosmetics.org
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