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Sep 24, 2008 9:25 pm US/Eastern
Consumer Alert: Teens & Cosmetics Safety
NEW YORK (CBS) ―
The safety of mainstream cosmetics and body care products is being called into question by an environmental group, especially when used by young women. And as CBS 2 HD found out teens are joining the campaign calling for safer products.
Every day, millions of Americans lather, spritz and smear themselves with everything from shampoo to body lotion, makeup to self tanners, including an ever younger group of teen girls.
Now the safety of all the chemicals used in these concoctions is being called into question. Jessica Assaf, an 18-year-old NYU freshman, is speaking out about it.
"I truly believe that we shouldn't have to choose between beauty over health and I think that we should be able to wear makeup and take showers and brush our teeth and not be exposed to these horrible chemicals," Assaf said.
Phthalates were recently banned from children's toys. Now researchers are studying the effect on the body.
"The question is whether or not these low level exposures for long periods of time have long-term health effects and we are just beginning to scratch the surface," explained Dr. Maida Galvez of Mount Sinai Medical Center.
"People think cosmetics are safe. You would assume the government is testing them and overseeing the safety but they are not," charged Jane Houlihan with the Environmental Working Group, which found traces of cosmetic chemicals in the body.
Houlihan said teen girls are especially vulnerable.
"They all block or mimic hormones that are naturally present in our bodies, sending signals that tell our body how to grow and how to repair itself," said Houlihan.
Assaf now only fills her makeup bag with organic, chemical-free options.
"So you can be beautiful wear makeup and not be exposed to toxic chemicals," she said.
An industry group representing personal care manufacturers responded, saying "There are hundreds of scientific studies that have evaluated the health impact of these ingredients."
She went on to say they stand behind the safety of their products.
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