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Mar. 31--Assemblywoman Judy Chu believes some shampoos, deodorants and other everyday cosmetics are hazardous to your health.
Standing behind a lineup of beauty products Wednesday at the state Capitol, Chu said two ingredients -- called phthalates -- can lead to cancer, infertility and birth defects.
The European Union banned phthalates from cosmetics last year, and Chu, D-Monterey Park, wants to do the same in California. She submitted legislation Wednesday -- AB 908 -- that would prevent the sale and manufacture of products containing the chemical used to make nail polish flexible and keep skin moisturizer soft.
"There is no reason why women of childbearing age should continue to be exposed to chemicals that cause birth defects when there are viable alternatives," Chu said.
The Cosmetic, Toiletry and Fragrance Association, which represents 600 cosmetic manufacturers, immediately criticized Chu's proposal as unwarranted. The trade group has insisted that products sold in the United States are safe for consumers.
Chu was joined Wednesday by state Sen. Carole Migden, D-San Francisco, health advocates and several Marin County high school activists who have been raising concerns about the hazards of beauty products.
Migden has a separate bill, SB 484, that would require cosmetic manufacturers to report to the state Department of Health Services all ingredients that may cause cancer or harmful reproductive effects. She said many manufacturers label phthalates as "flavorings," which prevents consumers from knowing which products contain the chemical.
"If they're identified as carcinogens, the consumers of America ought to know about it," Migden said.
Chu tried to enact a phthalate ban last year, but her proposal was defeated when the Legislature's moderate Democrats would not support the plan. Her initial bill was blocked a year ago in the Assembly Health Committee.
Chu said she stands a better chance this year because she believes the European Union ban will help push state lawmakers to follow suit. The Assembly Health Committee also has a new chairwoman, Assemblywoman Wilma Chan, D-Alameda. Chan has submitted related legislation, AB 319, that would ban phthalates from toys intended for children 3 years old or younger.
At the same time, five of the six largest U.S. cosmetic manufacturers have agreed to stop using phthalates, building momentum in the industry away from the chemicals, said Janet Nudelman, director of program and policy for the Breast Cancer Fund.
Breast cancer prevention activists have been increasing the pressure on cosmetics manufacturers, arguing that the chemicals pose a particular threat to women's health. Breast Cancer Action executive director Barbara Brenner said she believes cosmetic chemicals such as phthalates contribute to the disease.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration is responsible for regulating the cosmetics industry, but the agency does not test products before they are sold. The FDA also does not require manufacturers to register with the government nor submit ingredient lists.
The National Toxicology Program, part of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, has found that animals exposed to high levels of the cosmetic ingredient dibutyl phthalate, known as DBP, suffer reproductive problems. The toxicology program had "some concern" for women of reproductive age exposed to higher levels of DBP but "negligible concern" for other exposed adults.
California's Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment has one phthalate -- di(2-ethylhexyl)phthalate, known as DEHP -- on its Proposition 65 list of chemicals that pose reproductive risks. The agency also has proposed that DBP be included on the list.
Michael Thompson of the Cosmetic, Toiletry and Fragrance Association said Wednesday that the agency's actions should be sufficient to regulate phthalates in California. His organization also said manufacturers do not use DEHP in cosmetics.
"California has the toughest health and environmental rules in the world and should be proud of them," Thompson said. "Outsourcing its decision-making to the European Union or any other body is not prudent."
But Migden suggested the federal government has been too lax in regulating the cosmetics industry and said many consumers are unaware that FDA does not test products before they are sold.
"These are known, registered carcinogens, and we ought to insist that not one degree be present in our products," Migden said. "Other substitutes that are good enough for Chanel and the Europeans should be good enough for the consumers and workers of America."
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