By Helen Screamed-Wiesner
animated webcast draws attention to a possible reform of the U.S. regulations.
United States, a woman uses cosmetics by an average of twelve days, a man about six. Each product contains a dozen or more chemical compounds, often toxic. After years of campaigning by the consumers, a bill comes to Congress, supported by a film released on the Internet.
When in France, policies, alerted by the UFC-Que Choisir, s'effarent of pollution inside their homes, Americans are discovering with amazement with which they rub , is shampouinent, is tartinent and makeup.
They realize that their babies suffer a similar fate as their cleanliness, first. Worse: Having the skin of their mothers absorbed before birth and during pregnancy, infants born pre-polluted "by animated film "The Story of Cosmetics", released in late July to coincide with the tabling of legislation. (See video)
here I adapt the content of an article and a forum on the subject published recently, one on the Huffington Post, the other in the bimonthly Emagazine, integrating what I know also of the U.S. regulations.
Annie Leonard, the author of the film, explains his approach:
"Like most parents, I try to keep my family safe. But I discovered that my bathroom was a real store toxic. What you're supposed to do to fight against it? "
Only eight ingredients banned in 70 years
Good luck! The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA equivalent of the Department of Ecology) has banned the use of only a handful of chemicals since the introduction of Toxic Substances Control Act in 1976. And this despite the fact that 80 000 substances are now used in all consumer products.
And when we enter into the details of personal care products alone, we learn that the federal law regulating this sector was written 70 years ago. Since the FDA (Food and Drug Administration) has banned only eight ingredients among approximately 12 000 used by the industry.
The FDA does not even require that they are all listed on the label. The industry is supposed to regulate itself, which boosted Annie Leonard:
"The labels of the vials are reassuring:" mild, "" pure, "" natural, "" non-aggressive "," recommended by pediatricians "," dermatologist approved "... But when you read the documents with magnifying glasses, or you go online for details, that's another story.
laureth sulfate, sodium diazolidinyl urea, ceteareth-20, PEGs, quaternium-15 ... all ingredients that contain carcinogens such as formaldehyde or Dioxyne 1.4. "
" History of Things ", a bestseller pedagogical and playful
Before launching his own crusade against cosmetics filled with pollutants, Annie Leonard was known for designing the 2007 short animated film "The Story of Stuff", a real phenomenon on the Internet with 12 million views. His eponymous book, released in March 2010, is still a bestseller.
She picked it apart with a fun and educational creaky operation énonomico political-industrial production-consumption society. She then turned down the concept with "The History of bottled water," "The History of Carbon Exchange, and is expected shortly" The history of electronics. "
short, discovering carcinogens in baby shampoo does not at all pleased with Annie Leonard. She made inquiries of scientists, who have not sought to reassure her.
sunscreens, lipsticks, body lotions, shaving gels, deodorants, perfumes, etc.. All this contains products related to cancer, but also to learning problems, asthma, quality of semen, reproductive difficulties.
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