Women's Voices for the Earth: Should Beauty Products Contain Chemicals Linked To Birth Defects And Infertility? 11/18/2002
From: Stacy Malkan, 202-234-0091 Sabrina Williams, 202-822-5200 both for Women's Voices For The Earth News Advisory: -- European Union to order worst phthalates removed from cosmetics; -- U.S. panel meets Nov. 19 to decide whether chemical should remain in American products On Nov. 19, the Cosmetics Ingredients Review (CIR) Panel will meet in Washington DC to decide whether to approve the continued use of phthalates -- a set of chemicals the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, National Toxicology Program and other governmental agencies say is linked to reproductive birth defects, infertility and other illnesses. Recent lab tests found phthalates in 72 percent of beauty products tested, including top-selling hair sprays, deodorants and fragrances. Just last week, the European Commission issued a ban ordering companies to take the most dangerous phthalates out of cosmetics. CIR, an industry-funded panel charged with deciding the safety of ingredients of cosmetics in the U.S., ordered a safety review of phthalates in June and will discuss the review at today's meeting. Health advocates say the review is incomplete and misleading, and does not provide the information needed to conclude that the use of phthalates in cosmetics is safe for consumers. New scientific data show that levels of phthalates once considered insignificant can damage the developing child and that some Americans have very high levels of phthalates in their bodies. In press is a new study that links phthalate levels in men to impaired sperm and semen. A just-released study of products bought in Sweden and the United Kingdom found that, like in the United States, phthalates can be found in most deodorant, hair sprays, mousses, gels and fragrances. Who: -- Charlotte Brody, RN, executive director, Health Care Without Harm -- Tee Guidotti, MD, chair, Department of Environmental and Occupational Health, The George Washington University -- Jane Houlihan, vice president for research, Environmental Working Group -- Bryony Schwan, founder, National Campaigns director, Women's Voices for the Earth What: Press conference to reveal latest health information about phthalates, announce decision by major multinational cosmetics manufacturer to phase out phthalates, call on CIR panel and manufacturers to provide safer beauty products for all consumers, not just Europeans. When: Tuesday, Nov. 19, 11 a.m. Where: Washington Monarch Hotel, 2401 M Street, NW (entrance on 24th Street). CIR Panel is meeting in the same location on the same day REPORTERS CAN ALSO DIAL IN: 1-800-311-9409 security code: cosmetics |