The Environmental Working Group (EWG), an environmental research organization, released a consumer alert on all beauty products containing dibutyl phthalate (DBP). DBP has been shown to cause birth and developmental defects in lab animals, says EWG. EWG says its initial investigation "suggests that DBP is found in about a third of the nail polishes currently on the market, as well as a variety of other cosmetics," such as fragrances, pump hair sprays, night creams, skin creams, hair growth formulations, sunscreens, shampoos, conditioners, antiperspirant gels, and cosmetic emulsions.
In a study released by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) in September 2000, the results indicated that 100 percent of 289 people tested showed high levels of DBP in their urine. Women who are of childbearing age disturbingly showed the highest exposure levels, says EWG. "Government researchers speculate that the elevated levels of DBP among women of childbearing age come from cosmetics and beauty products," says EWG, adding that no one has done the studies to test this hypothesis.
In a letter to cosmetic manufacturers, EWG called for additional research in order to establish how people are exposed to DBP, what the effects of the chemical are in humans, and developing options for preventing harmful exposures. In reference to the CDC report in which DBP was found in 100 percent of those tested, Kenneth Cook, president of EWG writes that the "...initial verification of exposure does not, in itself, justify an immediate ban on DBP in consumer products. However, it is not too soon for companies who make use of the chemical to take notice of the emerging findings and assess manufacturing options that, if implemented, would reduce or eliminate DBP or other phthalates and any associated human exposures to them."
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