Abercrombie & Fitch, Calvin Klein Eternity, and Britney Spears? Curious, to name a few, contain a dozen or more chemicals not listed on their labels that have not been assessed for safety by the beauty industries self policing review panel. Many of these chemicals cause allergic reactions, disrupt hormones, and could play a role in developing cancer.
A recent study found that out of the 91 ingredients identified, a scant 19 have been reviewed by the beauty industry, and only 27 have been assessed by the international Fragrance association and the Research institute for Fragrance Materials.
For this study, the Campaign for Safe Cosmetics, a national coalition of health and environmental groups, commissioned tests of 17 fragranced products at an independent laboratory. Campaign partner Environmental Working Group assessed data from the tests and the product labels. The analysis reveals that the 17 products contained, on average:
? Fourteen secret chemicals not listed on labels due to a loophole in federal law that allows companies to claim fragrances as trade secrets. American Eagle Seventy Seven contained 24 hidden chemicals, the highest number of any product in the study.
? Ten sensitizing chemicals associated with allergic reactions such as asthma, wheezing, headaches and contact dermatitis. Giorgio Armani Acqua Di Gio contained 19 different sensitizing chemicals, more than any other product in the study
? Four hormone-disrupting chemicals linked to a range of health effects including sperm damage, thyroid disruption and cancer. Halle by Halle Berry, Quicksilver and Jennifer Lopez J. Lo Glow each contained seven different chemicals with the potential to disrupt the hormone system.
