Seeking a Ban on Chemicals used in Personal Care Products in Colorado
Rep. Diane Primavera (D-Broomfield) has introduced House Bill 1248, The Colorado Safe Personal Care Products Act. Primavera, a cancer survivor, is passionate about this bill and is pushing the Food and Drug Administration to increase the list of banned chemicals to hopefully reduce the risk of cancer.
The amount of chemicals used in personal care products can be astounding and the potential risks to health is shocking. For example, fragrance, otherwise known as phthalates, has been linked to cancer, developmental and reproductive toxicity, endocrine disruption, neurotoxicity, toxicity of the brain, kidneys, liver and lungs. Phthalates are found in fingernail products, makeup, deodorants, hair products, and even feminine products.
Primavera is so passionate about this bill because according to her, “there was no genetic reason why I should have gotten cancer,” she said. “There was no environmental reason. I never smoked. I never drank. I had my weight in perfect condition. I turned over every rock to figure out why I got cancer but the personal care products was a rock I didn’t turn over and once I found out this is an issue and could be an issue for our citizens, I think we need to step in and take a role to protect (them).”
Surprisingly, studies have linked chemicals used in personal care products to harmful medical conditions however, the U.S. only currently bans 10 of these toxins. The European Union bans roughly 1,100 chemicals.
Luckily for us, people like Primavera are standing up and taking a stand against the use of these chemicals. Let’s join her and help Coloradans and other other states take the very much needed step to eliminate toxins from our lotions, shampoos, and makeup.
Later this month, there will be the first public hearing for the Act. In the meantime, try to use smaller amounts or less of your personal care products and make sure you are reading the labels. Simplify, simplify, simplify…try and use products that have only a few ingredients and do your homework- check out the company to make sure they are truly doing what they say.
What a great site! I did a major throw-away of most of the beauty products in our house this year — the average woman puts over 500 synthetic chemicals on her body every day in grooming products. Yikes.
Thanks! It is amazing how many chemicals we put on our bodies every day and we don’t even know what they do. I started using the Alba face line, which is affordable and works great. The best part about the products is that they follow the European Union guidelines for beauty products- they ban over 1,100 chemicals. It’s always good to support companies that take our health seriously.
You’ve done it once again. Great post.