A new peer-reviewed study suggests that common personal care products widely contain unlabeled toxic chemicals. Testing of more than 110 items, ranging from shampoo to baby lotions, found evidence of unlabeled toxic chemicals in about 85% of them.
Findings from the study
Many products contained multiple ingredients known to be carcinogens or health hazards, and even 26% of products labeled "eco", "green" or "natural" contained at least one dangerous compound. The products averaged more than three times as many chemicals as were listed on labels.
It is unclear whether the products are intentionally adulterated or unintentionally contaminated. Either way, the findings raise further questions about the safety of everyday goods already under scrutiny for their health risks. The authors say the study highlights the need for stricter oversight, including mandatory testing.
Chemicals detected
Among the chemicals detected were hormone disruptors and carcinogens such as phthalates, parabens, PFAS and formaldehyde. Many of the same chemicals are sometimes intentionally added to personal care products and are linked to cancer, neurological disease, reproductive harm and damage to developing children, among other issues. Personal care product chemicals can be absorbed into the body, studies in recent decades have found.
The 113 items tested were bought at major retailers, such as Target and Amazon. They include baby products, moisturizers, soaps, shampoos, toothpaste, feminine hygiene products, body washes, cleaning products and other everyday goods.
Possible sources and regulatory gaps
Some ingredients may be added illegally, form due to an unintended chemical reaction among ingredients, or come from plastic packaging that often leaches compounds into the products, the authors wrote. The most widespread undisclosed toxicants fall under the umbrella term "fragrance" or "parfum" on products' ingredient lists. "Fragrance" can include any of 1,200 hazardous chemicals, and the law does not require companies to be more specific.
The situation is complicated for some small businesses that genuinely try to produce clean products. Some unwittingly buy contaminated raw materials, or are lied to by suppliers. Jenna Hua, a lead author with Million Marker, a San Francisco-based company that offers at-home testing for exposure to toxic chemicals, said researchers knew they would find some unlabeled chemicals, but were still "shocked" by the findings.
"I spend my money, and I want to get a good product – why am I being lied to?" Hua asked.
Consumer challenges and expert advice
Researchers used a non-targeted chemical analysis, which looks for evidence of thousands of substances, rather than a limited list of predetermined compounds. The analysis netted 303 chemicals that the authors felt confident were present, though the true number could be higher. Those were cross-referenced with a database of hazardous chemicals from the Environmental Protection Agency.
Of the 26% of products that contained substances that contradicted marketing claims, synthetic chemicals were in those that claimed to be "100% natural"; phthalates were in goods labeled "phthalate-free"; and known allergens were in products marketed as "hypoallergenic".
Kristen Knox, a research scientist with the Silent Spring public health non-profit, which has also tested personal care products for toxic chemicals but was not involved with this research, said: "It's very hard for the individual consumer to know what's in the products, even if they are super-conscientious and reading the labels. Consumers don't have access to a lab."
Knox said the findings and challenge for consumers highlighted a fundamental flaw in the regulatory system. "The US approach to chemical regulation is to assume everything is safe unless there is evidence of harm, instead of testing beforehand to ensure it's safe," she said.
Hua said reducing the amount of personal care products and avoiding the worst, such as nail products, are easy protective steps consumers can take. A good resource is the Environmental Working Group's Skin Deep database, which rates ingredient lists for thousands of products, though it does not cover unlabeled ingredients.
