FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Hormone-Altering Cosmetics Chemicals Found in Teenage Girls

Many Chemicals Detected Linked to Serious Health Problems

Teenage girls across America are contaminated with hormone-altering chemicals found in cosmetics and body care products, confirms a new study released today by the Environmental Working Group (EWG) in partnership with the Washington Toxics Coalition.

Get the report here.

Teenage girls across America are contaminated with hormone-altering chemicals found in cosmetics and body care products, confirms a new study released today by the Environmental Working Group (EWG) in partnership with the Washington Toxics Coalition.
 
The first-of-its kind study found 16 toxic chemicals in blood and urine samples from 20 teen girls, aged 14-19, from eight states, including Washington, and the District of Columbia.  .  Chemicals detected included preservatives, fragrance and antimicrobial compounds.  Many of these are linked to serious health risks in lab animals, even at low-dose levels.
 
"Hormone-altering chemicals shouldn't be in cosmetics, especially in products used by millions of teenage girls," said Rebecca Sutton, Ph.D, author of the report and Staff Scientist at EWG. "Their bodies are still developing and may be especially vulnerable to risks from these exposures," added Sutton.
 
The young women participating in this study were recruited from locations across the U.S. and represent diverse ethnic and cultural backgrounds.  They used an average of nearly 17 personal care products per day that contain a total of 174 unique cosmetic ingredients.
 
"I have made a conscience effort to use products that are deemed more healthy so I was still a little surprised that I tested positive for many of the tested chemicals," said Monica Poulson, a study participant and student at Whitman College in Walla Walla, WA.  "In general I feel that most teenagers are not aware of the chemicals that are entering their bodies from cosmetics."

The study provides the first data available from teens on levels of synthetic chemical musks, a common fragrance that accumulates in people and acts like estrogen in the body, and preservatives called parabens that also mimic estrogen.
 
Federal health statutes do not require companies to test products or ingredients for safety before they are sold. As a result, nearly all body care products contain ingredients that have not been assessed for safety by any federal agency, and are not required to meet any uniform safety standards.

"The lack of a federal safety net means that teens like the ones in this study have chemicals in their bodies that can mimic hormones—and it's happening at a very sensitive time in development, as they're going through puberty," said Erika Schreder, staff scientist at the Washington Toxics Coalition. "Our young people have a right to expect better protection from the government, and we can start to provide that here in Washington State."

The study recommends avoiding the following types of products:
• Anti-aging creams with lactic, glycolic, AHA, and BHA acids
• Hair dyes with ammonia, peroxide, p-phenylenediamine, diaminobenzene; all dark permanent hair dyes
• Liquid hand soaps with triclosan
• Nail polish and removers with formaldehyde
• Skin lighteners with hydroquinone

The study also recommends avoiding products that contain the following ingredients:
• DMDM hydantoin and Imidazolidinyl urea
• Fragrance and dyes
• Methylchloroisothiazolinone and Methylisothiazolinone
• Parabens or "-paraben"
• "PEG" and "-eth"
• Sodium lauryl or laureth sulfate
• Triclosan and triclocarban
• Triethanolamine (TEA)

Teenagers and their parents can also consult EWG's Skin Deep online database to help them make informed decisions about their products.

****Study Participant and Washington resident,  Monica Poulson, available for interviews****

For More Information Contact:
Ivy Sager-Rosenthal, Washington Toxics Coalition, (206) 854-7623
EWG Public Affairs, (202) 667-6982

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