Toxic Shampoo Scare in Middle East
February 13, 2009 by DawnM
Filed under Cancer, Health Issues, Regulation
Carcinogen Found in Shampoo in Middle East
According to Cosmetics Design Europe Saudi and Dubai health authorities have issued warnings after incidences of toxicity in a variety of shampoos sold to consumers. The Dubai Municipality has banned 17 imported shampoos contaminated with the carcinogen 1,4-dioxane and The Saudi Food and Drug Authority has issued a warning over Rolana Baby Shampoo, which was found to be contaminated with the bacteria serratia maracescens. This has allegedly made 13 babies sick and resulted in the death of one child. The bacteria can cause urinary infections, meninjitus, toxemia and other health problems, particulary in infants.
Europe Bans Two Chemicals From Cosmetics
February 10, 2009 by DawnM
Filed under Allergies & Asthma, Endocrine Disruptors, Europe, Health Issues, Neurotoxicity, Other Health, Regulation, United Kindom
Europe Bans Two Chemicals From Cosmetics
The European Union has prohibited two chemicals from being used in cosmetic products, in a recent amendment to the European Cosmetics Directive. From November 5, 2009 companies are barred from using diethylene glycol (DEG) or phytonadione. This action has been taken following the discovery of high levels of DEG in some toothpaste products from other markets. Although a representative of the industry trade association, the Cosmetics, Toiletries and Perfumery Association (CTPA) suggested that reputable brands do not use DEG, trace levels are often present as an impurity in widely used ingredients such as glycerol.
Petrochemical Compounds: An Introduction
February 9, 2009 by DawnM
Filed under Allergies & Asthma, Cancer, Endocrine Disruptors, Health Issues, Neurotoxicity, Other Health
Lowdown on Petroleum Derived Compounds
A petrochemical compound is an organic (based on carbon) compound derived from crude oil (petroleum) or natural gas, which were formed millions of years ago in the earth’s crust from decayed plants and animals.
These two primary classes of petrochemical are olefins (e.g. ethylene, butylene and propylene) and aromatics (e.g. benzene, toluene and xylenes) produced by chemical cracking (breaking large hydrocarbon molecules into simpler molecules, aided by a catalyst and high temperatures) and catalytic reforming (used to convert low-octane naphthas into high-octane gasoline blending components and often benzene, toluene and xylene aromatics for Read more
