- Children are at greater risk of cancers and fertility
problems in later life because of the growing use of their cosmetics and
toiletries, health experts are warning.
-
- Adolescents and the parents of young children are buying
more beauty products made for adults and toiletries such as baby wipes
and bubble baths than ever before.
-
- Fertility experts, cancer specialists and environmentalists
are becoming alarmed by evidence that most of these products use potentially
dangerous chemicals linked to breast cancer, falling sperm counts and hormonal
damage.
-
- The World Health Organisation and European health and
environment ministers are to issue a stark warning next month. Ministers
from all 25 EU member states, including the Evironment minister Alun Michael
and Health minister Melanie Johnson from the UK, will sign a declaration
calling for action to cut children's exposure to these chemicals.
-
- Their warnings will be backed by initiatives by Friends
of the Earth and the Women's Environmental Network.
-
- A report by Friends of the Earth this week will accuse
the UK's largest retailers of failing to take effective action to cut down
on these chemicals in their products.
-
- The ingredients of greatest concern include chemicals
called parabens which can affect the hormone oestrogen and were recently
found in breast cancer tissues. They are routinely used as preservatives
in body lotions such Johnson's "baby softwash" and Kandoo toilet
wipes.
-
- Other suspect additives are known as phthalates, used
to soften plastics and help carry scents in cosmetics. Banned for use in
baby toys, they are linked to lower sperm levels in men, premature breast
development and allergies.
-
- Cosmetics companies such as Boots and Johnson & Johnson
insisted all their products were very carefully formulated within strict
health guidelines. But the Cosmetics, Toiletries and Perfumes Association
admitted it was likely to phase out the use of all phthalates because of
consumer concerns.
-
- © 2004 Independent Digital (UK) Ltd http://news.independent.co.uk/uk/health_medical/story.jsp?story=526366
|
