US study finds carcinogens in kids' bath products

A recent study just came out that popular bath products for children contain cancer-causing chemicals!

The Campaign for Safe Cosmetics tested 48 top-selling children's products for 1,4-dioxane and 28 of them for formaldehyde.

Formaledehyde is Used for embalming corpses and glue in chipboard. The 1,4-dioxane chemical is used as a foaming agent in some bath products.

Among the products that had one or more of  these chemicals in their ingredients were: Johnson's Baby Shampoo, L'Oreal Kids Extra Gentle 2-in-1 shampoo and Pampers Kandoo foaming hand soap.

According to the US National Cancer Institute, studies of workers exposed to formaldehyde have linked the chemical to cancers of the nasal sinuses, nasopharynx, brain and possibly leukemia.

The US Consumer Product Safety Commission has said that even trace amounts of 1,4-dioxane give "cause for concern," while the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and Department of Health and Human Services have both identified dioxane as causing cancer in animals and as a "probable human carcinogen."

Stacy Malkan, of the Campaign for Safe Cosmetics stated, "If chemicals are causing cancer in animals, we really shouldn't be putting them on babies' heads." "While the levels found in the products are low, little bits of carcinogens add up in all these products," she said, adding that the findings of the study gave cause for concern because "children are more vulnerable to the toxic effects of chemicals."

The Campaign for Safe Cosmetics study and article can be found at: http://www.safecosmetics.org/article.php?id=414.
They also have a link for sending this to your friends so you can "spread the word!"

This was taken, word for word, from the Johnson's website:

Cradle Cap

Based on content from the baby care experts at JOHNSON'S® and johnsonsbaby.com ''Caring For Your Baby"Of all the things you envisioned while preparing for your baby, you probably didn't imagine dandruff-like flakes covering her scalp. But your newborn may indeed have scaly patches on her scalp and eyebrows. It's called cradle cap and it's perfectly normal. Cradle cap, or seborrheic dermatitis, is a form of eczema that is very common in infants. It usually begins in the first weeks of life and slowly disappears over the next several weeks or months. Most cases of cradle cap clear up by the time your baby is between eight to 12 months old.Although it may be tempting to do so, do not attempt to pick off the patches with your fingernails! The best way to treat cradle cap is to soften it first by massaging a baby oil, such as JOHNSON'S® Baby Oil - Baby Skin Care, into her hair and scalp. Leave the oil on for a few minutes to help to loosen the crusty patches. Then use a fine-toothed comb and clean your baby's scalp with a mild, gentle cleanser that will not sting her eyes. You can use a mild cleanser like JOHNSON'S® HEAD-TO-TOE® Baby Wash, or if your baby has a lot of hair, you may wish to use JOHNSON'S® Baby Shampoo. Add a little to a washcloth and use a gentle, circular motion to remove the flakes and oil from your baby's head. Although cradle cap can be unsightly at times, it is harmless. However, if you have any questions, or if cradle cap spreads to other areas of your baby's body (beyond her scalp or eyebrows), call your pediatrician.Remember to be extra gentle when massaging or washing around the top of the head, or soft spots, on your baby's head where the fontenal is located.

This is scary news and you should immediately discontinue using these products on your baby's head!  Tell us what you think about this breaking story.

The report may give rise to questions regarding the relationship of rubbing and shampooing our baby's delicate and vulnerable scalp to the rise of autism in this country.   Johnson's Baby Shampoo is the leading seller here in the States and in the UK.