Nexus - 0202 - New Times Magazine-pages

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CONSUMER BEWARE! carcinogen. Other preservatives, eg DMDM hydantoin, act by slowly releasing formaldehyde into the product. chemicals ethylene oxide and 1,4 dioxane. Examples of ethoxylated ingredients are sodium laureth sul- fate and polysorbate 80. collagens, for example, are produced from the skins of new born calves. It has been shown in scientific tests that many animal ingredients used in per- sonal care products contain pesticide residues. This is a term that also has no legal meaning in Australia at present. Manufacturers continue to claim that their products are allergy-free or hypoallergenic whilst including in their formulations substances which have a proven history of producing allergic reaction or sensitization. Notable offenders are synthetic per- fume components, known to be the most common cause of allergic reac- tion to personal care products. We have outlined the main issues that you as a discerning consumer need to be aware of when choosing a prod- uct for your hair. Of course, because ingredient disclosures on labels are not in a language that is clear to anyone other than a chemist, and because very often what is not disclosed as product information is more significant than what is listed, you will have to rely on your own informed perception. (b) PRECURSERS TO THE FOR- MATION OF N-NITROSAMINES. These carcinogens can be formed by the action of common environ- mental pollutants (eg some vehicle emmissions) on various ingredients used in shampoos, such as the foam boosters cocamide DEA and lau- ramide DEA. PERSON AND ENVIRONMENT SAFETY The term ‘environment safe’ has no legal meaning in Australia at present. There is no guarantee therefore that a product labelled ‘environment safe’ or ‘environmentally friendly’ will not be in some way damaging to the environ- ment. In fact, many products that claim to be ‘environment safe’ contain in their formulations: (c) TOXIC PRESERVATIVES. Because shampoos and conditioners are classed as ‘wash off’ products, manufacturers are permitted to use more toxic preservatives than those used in products such as moisture creams, which are left on the skin. A very common preservative used in shampoos is formaldehyde - cheap, very effective and a known toxic (a) ETHOXYLATED INGREDI- ENTS. These substances contain traces of the toxic, carcinogenic Law suit accuses Dental Association of mass poisoning! An example was given by Dr Newell important that two separate of the NCI when he said, ‘We planto Committees were appointed by the use higher levels of fluoride. We plan Department of Health & Human to use 50ppm in one dose and 25ppm in Service to investigate the NTP data of another dose. We probably will use two a cancer/fluoride link - and report in species of animals like rats and mice.’ June 1990. If cancer is caused, the chemical is bamed ~—SSSs~S*™S:S:S*:*~CSsé~r LORIE CASES The test results sented 26th April, 1990. The report was titled CANCER SAY “The National Toxicology Program JAPANESE SCIENTISTS Report on Sodium Fluoride Study”. TR 393 A recently released Japanese scien- The major finding showed cancer in__ tific report has discovered that fluoride male rats drinking fluoridated water. causes cancer. As a result, continued No cancer appeared in the control use of fluoride in Australia may have a group of rats drinking unfluoridated devastating effect on exports of water. The Toxicology Committee processed food stuffs. classified this result as ‘unequivocal Three Japanese scientists performed evidence of carcinogenic activity’. experiments on the effect of sodium We now know that the data showing fluoride in animal tissue. Takeki cancer also occurring in mice, was Tsutsui, Nobuko Sazuki and Manabu suppressed! Ohmori of the Nippon Dental Immediately the report findings were University, Tokyo, undertook an exper- announced, they were held to be so iment on the effects of sodium fluoride important that two separate Committees were appointed by the Department of Health & Human Service to investigate the NTP data of a cancer/fluoride link - and report in June 1990. that on Syrian hamsters under laboratory conditions. The research was funded by the Japanese Government. The scientists concluded that sodium fluoride in doses as low as 75 micro- grams per milligram caused cancer in living cells. This finding has been sup- ported by the results of a similar study by three Russian scientists from the Academy of Medical Science at Moscow. The harmful side-effects of fluoride have been the subject of a raging debate in Australia for a number of at years. Japan is a major importer of Australian processed foods, with man- ufacturers going to extraordinary lengths to meet stringent quality demands. It is possible that we could lose part of this important market if the Japanese withdraw orders of processed foods because of contamination by flu- oride in the water supply. NEXUS - 35 Continued from page 14 HYPO-ALLERGENIC Continued from page 17 FLUORIDE CAUSES CANCER SAY JAPANESE SCIENTISTS FEBRUARY 1991 *- YEAR BOOK