Updated: January 5, 2010
Doug's Top News Stories of 2009
In addition to the latest news briefs presented on this page, Doug Schoon has compiled the most important cosmetic and personal care news stories of 2009. Click here to view the top news stories
JANUARY 2010
Newest Data on Parabens Suggest No Adverse
Hormonal Effect on the Body
A new study performed at the request of the EU Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety (SCCS) show that parabens are only partially absorbed after dermal exposure and also strongly suggests they are fully metabolize before they can enter the bloodstream. The metabolite PHBA (para-hydroxybenzoic acid) was found in the bloodstream, but no concentrations of parabens were measured. Since PHBA is not known to have any estrogenic effects and is found widely in plants and human food, these trace exposures in humans pose no health risk. click to read more of this article
“The study confirms the results of a number of other research studies, which concluded from their work that parabens are metabolized rapidly and to a large extent in living organisms and therefore cannot exhibit any adverse effects," states the industry trade group COLIPA.
For several years, some consumer advocacy groups have distorted information to aggressively attack paraben preservatives just to create fear in the minds of consumers. Scientists who have reviewed the latest data believe it will convince the SCCS of the safety for these important ingredients.
Source: www.CosmeticsDesign.com
DECEMBER 2009
Cancer Rates Continue to Fall in the US
Cancer diagnosis and deaths continued to decline in the US according to the latest available data States a recent report from the National Cancer Institute. New diagnosis for all types of cancers has fallen on average about 1% each year between 1999 and 2006.
This information flies in the face of scare mongering claims made by consumer advocacy groups who want us to believe that increased use of cosmetics and personal care products are causing more cancers. These fear based activist groups continue to use such erroneous claims to needlessly frighten the public and raise unfair and unwarranted concerns. Both the US FDA and Health Canada have publicly stated that cosmetics are among the safest product categories under their regulation and neither have expressed concerns that cosmetics or personal care products are contributing to an increase in cancer in humans.
Source: The Wall Street Journal (December 8, 2009)
USDA has No Plans to Crackdown on
Use of the Term “Organic”
In a recent press release, the Organic Consumers Association (OCA) erroneously claimed that the USDA is about to crackdown on the misuse of the word "organic" for personal-care and cosmetic products. According to industry experts, this is not likely to occur in the foreseeable future. When asked if a crackdown was imminent, National Organic Standards Board (NOSB) member Joe Smille admitted that he did not think a crackdown was imminent. The results of the most recent NOSB meeting can be found in the November 2009 new release (below), “National Organic Standards Board Powerless to Enforce Organic Standards on Cosmetics.” click to read more of this article
This is not the first time the OCA has reported incorrect information in relation to the issue. It appears that the OCA may be intentionally providing misinformation to consumers in hopes of furthering their own agenda to force USDA organic agriculture/food regulations upon the cosmetic industry, even though these regulations are not appropriate for cosmetic or personal care products. Schoon Scientific believes this association is an unreliable source of factual information.
Source: www.CosmeticDesigns.com
NOVEMBER 2009
National Organic Standards Board Powerless
to Enforce Organic Standards on Cosmetics
At the NOSB semi-annual meeting in November it was “recommended” that the Secretary of Agriculture enact a regulation extending the NOP to personal-care products. To date the law has not changed: for personal-care products NOP compliance remains “voluntary” and the NOSB does not have the authority to enact regulations. click to read more of this article
Should the Secretary accept the NOSB recommendation, any draft regulation must go through a public comment period. At the NOSB meeting the Deputy Administrator from the Department of Agriculture National Organics Program expressed reservation about the Department's authority to adopt the NOSB recommendation and added that moving forward with regulation would not be a high government priority.
If the NOP were about to adopt a standard for personal care products, it likely would not follow the food standard, since that would make no sense. Schoon Scientific believes that trying to force the food standard on cosmetics is the reason for all the confusion. It makes no sense to do this and those that are pushing for this are mostly marketers who want to dupe the public into thinking their products are safer than their competitors.
The USDA has clearly and repeatedly stated that “Organic” doesn’t mean safer, better or higher quality... it is simply a preference.
Source: www.ams.usda.gov
OCTOBER 2009
FDA Claims Popular Eyelash Growth Product is a Drug,
Not a Cosmetic
The FDA sent a letter to Allergan expressing concerns that the eyelash growth drug Latisse is being incorrectly promoted as a cosmetic product. The active ingredient, bimatoprost, clearly affects the structure and function of the body and is therefore not a cosmetic, according to the FDA definition of a cosmetic product. Interestingly, Allergan had been involved in a lawsuit against Jan Marini Skin Research to force them to discontinue selling a cosmetic product that utilizes this ingredient. Allergan has also received the more severe FDA warning for inappropriate promotion of their acne medication “Aczone”. The FDA claims that the study cited by Allergan is a "complete misrepresentation” of the results. Allergan, which has a track record of innovative promotional ploys, has drawn the attention of the FDA and is apparently under heightened scrutiny due to repeated problems in this area. Allergan claims they are working closely with the FDA to address all of their concerns.
Source: MSNBC
SEPTEMBER 2009
FDA Study Confirms Traces of Lead in Lipstick
Is Not a Safety Concern
A report released by the Campaign for Safe Cosmetics (CSC) consumer advocacy group has needlessly alarmed consumers by raising irrational fears that many popular lipstick products contain dangerous levels of lead. FDA scientists tested the same selection of lipsticks evaluated by the CSC and have determined that the lead levels present are safe and well below limits recommended by other public health authorities. The FDA found that lipsticks tested had average levels of 1.07 ppm or 0.001%.
click to read more of this article
Since lead is a naturally occurring substance found throughout nature, it would be practically impossible to completely eliminate all traces of lead and it's not at all surprising to find trace levels that are far lower than what occur in normal drinking water. California’s has set the most stringent levels for lead in the US and it allows up to 5 ppm in cosmetics. The FDA concluded that the lead levels are within The range that would be expected from lipsticks formulated with permitted and approved color additives.
This is not the first time the Campaign for Safe Cosmetics has issued dire and unfounded warnings concerning cosmetic products. Even now, they continue to demand that the FDA require lipstick to be 100% lead free. In the opinion of Schoon Scientific, this consumer advocacy group has repeatedly distorted information to needlessly frighten and alarm consumers, and they should not be considered as a credible source of information.
Source: www.fda.gov
For credible information about lead in lipstick or lipstick ingredients see: www.cosmeticsinfo.orgAUGUST 2009
New FDA Regulations Require Companies to Respond to
Inspection Violations Within 15 Days
Manufacturers now have 15 days to respond to inspection reports to avoid an FDA warning letter. The change is intended to help the agency be more effective in protecting the public and may help to weed out bad actors from legitimate industry. According to the FDA, warning letters will also be sent out in a more efficient fashion, since they no longer require clearance by the Office of Chief Council, unless there are “significant legal issues.” The FDA will no longer issue multiple warning letters to noncompliant firms before taking more significant actions according to FDA Commissioner Margaret Hamburg, and the FDA may move immediately without issuing formal warning letters. If there are "significant health concerns or egregious violations" that pose "an immediate threat to health."
Source: www.theRoseSheet.com (Aug. 24, 2009)
Canada Reclassifies Antiperspirants as Cosmetics
Health Canada no longer considers aluminum or zirconium base antiperspirants as drugs under new regulations. Canada has determined that these products mode of action is "mechanical in nature" and does not correct, change or modify natural body functions. However, antiperspirants designed to reduce hyperhidrosis (overproduction of sweat) or claim to protect for more than 24 hours will continue to be classified as drugs. Marketing claims have also been modified and certain phrases such as "stops or prevents perspiration” or even "helps keep you dry”, will no longer be allowed. Companies have a grace period of six months to create and implement new cosmetic labels and a one-year grace period to deplete existing stocks. For more information, click on the link below.
Source: www.hc-sc.gc.ca
JULY 2009
Bogus Study Tricks Media and Frightens Consumers
In recent decades periodic, unverified reports of a worldwide decline in sperm count/quality and increases in testicular cancer have been blamed on ingredients found in plastics, cosmetics and children's toys. A 2005 study performed by Dr. Shanna Swan loudly proclaimed that hormone disrupting ingredients in plastics, cosmetics and children's toys known as “phthalates” were causing baby boys to develop abnormally smaller penises (hypospadias). Dr. Swan’s so-called “study” utilized previously unknown test methods which have never been validated by the medical community or other scientists. Consumer advocacy groups pounced upon this single study, and offered it as proof that “phthalates are poisoning us”. The news media gave widespread attention to the Swan study treating it as if it were a valid and substantiated scientific report, when in fact it was neither.
click to read more of this article
Now a major new study of children in New York State by researchers at the New York Presbyterian Hospital, Columbia University Medical Center looked into this issue to determine if hypospadias rates have actually increased. What were the results?
“Hypospadias rates have not changed in New York State from 1992 to 2005. Combined with previous studies that demonstrate sperm counts are not declining, these data suggest that testicular dysgenesis syndrome… may not be evident in humans”
In other words, Dr. Swan and the consumer advocacy groups were totally wrong and neither penis size or sperm counts are declining, nor is there evidence that plastic or cosmetic ingredients are responsible for such effects. Despite the hundreds of the news stories generated by Dr. Swan's original and incorrect report that genital deformities may be caused by phthalates in cosmetics and plastic toys, to date not a single mainstream media publication has reported this new information. Schoon Scientific wonders why, and so should you.
Source: www.eurekalert.org
JUNE 2009
Are Chemicals Killing Us?
Toxicologists Believe Media Overstates Risks
Can you believe the news media when they tell us that every day we are being poisoned by chemicals we routinely used to improve our lives? No we can't, according to a survey of 937 members of the Society of Toxicology (SOT). This survey of toxicology professionals found that the public doesn't get a full and balanced picture of chemical risks. For instance, these knowledgeable experts overwhelmingly reject the notion that exposure to even the smallest amounts of harmful chemicals is dangerous or that the detection of any level of a chemical in your body indicates a significant health risk. And they are nearly unanimous in rejecting the notion that “organic” or “natural” products are inherently safer than others. Here are some other interesting facts that came out of this survey. click to read more of this article
- 74% believe that cosmetics do not pose a significant health risk.
- 90% believe “organic or natural” products are NOT inherently safer.
- Only 77% believe the US regulatory system is NOT inferior to Europe's.
- 89% do NOT believe that “phthalates” are a high risk.
- 97% think “Teflon” should NOT be rated as a high risk.
- 91% believe “biphenol A” (BPA) should NOT be rated as a high risk.
- 97% feel “parabens” should NOT be rated as a high risk.
- 96% believe “triclosan” should NOT be rated as a high risk.
- Only 14% rate “formaldehyde gas” as a high risk.
- Only 6% believe that any exposure to harmful chemical is unacceptable.
- 96% say that Greenpeace overstates the health risk of chemicals.
- 80% said the Environmental Defense Fund overstates chemical risk.
- 79% say the Environmental Working Group (EWG) overstates risks.
- 80% say PETA overstates risks.
- 90% say media coverage of risks lacks balance and diversity.
- 74% believe the news media pays too much attention to individual studies rather than examining the overall evidence.
- 73% believe the media pays too much attention to individual scientists rather than what the scientific community believes as a whole.
- 68% believe the news media pays too much attention to studies put out by environmental groups.
- 80% believe that leading national newspapers, magazines and television networks overstate chemical risk.
- 97% say the media doesn't distinguish between good studies and bad studies.
- WebMD is the only news source rated as accurate by the majority of toxicologist.
What’s the take-home message? “Lousy studies make the news” according to one of the authors. Don’t rely on activists or the media to tell the truth about chemical risks. Schoon Scientific believes that consumer advocacy groups and news media are doing a very poor job and NOT providing the public with truthful information, but instead are exaggerating and distorting supposed chemical dangers and causing irrational fear, confusion and unfounded concerns. Click on the link below and download the pdf file to see more eye-opening statistics.
Source: stats.org
Report PDF file: http://stats.org/stories/2009/Survey_7.09.pdf
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