Carcinogens may taint some soap, shampoos

Some bath products and shampoos still contain traces of a cancer-causing petrochemical that federal health officials have expressed concerns about for more than 20 years, environmental activists announced Thursday.

All 18 children's and adult products tested in a laboratory contained 1, 4-Dioxane, and three had concentrations that exceeded the Food and Drug Administration's (FDA) recommended limit, says The Campaign for Safe Cosmetics, a San Francisco-based coalition of eight national environmental and health-advocacy organizations.

The chemical is not added to products but is an unintended byproduct during manufacture of some formulations.

The tests were commissioned by David Steinman, publisher of Healthy Living magazine, and included in his new book outlining steps that consumers can take to protect the environment.

The FDA in 1985 asked the cosmetics industry to voluntarily limit the chemical to 10 ppm. But there are no standards governing it and no testing requirements.

The highest concentrations, 23 parts per million, were detected in Clairol Herbal Essences Rainforest Flowers Shampoo and Olay Complete Body Wash with Vitamins, both made by Procter & Gamble, according to the environmental group. The highest in a children's product was 12 ppm, in Hello Kitty Bubble Bath, sold by Kid Care, a division of Cosmetic Essence. Fifteen of the 18 were at or under the 10 ppm recommendation.

A probable human carcinogen, 1,4-Dioxane penetrates skin, although much of it evaporates when used, according to FDA documents.

Cosmetics-industry representatives say the amounts of the chemical detected in the products are safe, especially since most are shampoos and other products that are washed off quickly.