One of these ingredients is quaternium-15, which releases formaldehyde; a skin, eye, and respiratory irritant, and a known carcinogen (formaldehyde exposure has been associated with leukemia specifically). According to SafeCosmetics.org:<\/p>\n

\u201cThe North American Contact Dermatitis Group considers quaternium-15 to be among the most clinically significant contact allergens in children.\u201d
\nThe other, 1,4-dioxane, is a \u201clikely carcinogen,\u201d and is present in Johnson & Johnson\u2019s:<\/p>\n

Baby Shampoo
\nOatmeal Baby Wash
\nMoisture Care Baby Wash, and
\nAveeno Baby Soothing Relief Creamy Wash
\nAccording to the CDC, 1,4 dioxane is \u201cprobably carcinogenic to humans,\u201d and is toxic to your brain, central nervous system, kidneys, and liver.<\/p>\n

Why Is Johnson & Johnson Dragging Their Feet on Removal of Toxic Ingredients for U.S. Lots?<\/p>\n

On October 31, The Campaign for Safe Cosmeticsi sent Johnson & Johnson a letter signed by 25 environmental and medical groups, demanding they \u201ccommit to removing the chemicals from all of its products by November 15.\u201d The Campaign also urges everyone to boycott Johnson & Johnson until it complies.<\/p>\n

Johnson & Johnson recently responded, stating that:ii<\/p>\n

\u201cWe have been phasing out the use of preservatives that release tiny amounts of formaldehyde to guard against bacterial contamination. These preservative technologies, which are used widely in our industry are all safe and approved in the countries where they are sold\u2026 Over the past couple of years, we already have reduced the number of formulations globally with these \u2018formaldehyde releaser\u2019 preservatives by 33% and in the U.S. by over 60%.
\nWe are completing this reformulation as quickly as we can safely and responsibly do so. As part of the manufacturing process, we have extensive monitoring to ensure that the amount of a trace byproduct known as \u201c1,4 dioxane\u201d in any of our products is well below the level that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and regulatory agencies around the world consider safe.<\/p>\n

\u2026We have introduced new product formulations for consumers who prefer natural products, such as JOHNSON\u2019S\u00ae NATURAL\u00ae, a line that is 98% natural, and contains no formaldehyde releasing preservatives or traces of 1,4 dioxane.\u201d
\nHowever, reasonable as this may sound, there are two rather obvious \u201cproblems\u201d with their reply:<\/p>\n

They\u2019re already selling a carcinogen-free version of its baby shampoo in other countries, so obviously no complicated reformulation would be necessary
\nThe Johnson & Johnson\u2019s \u201cNaturals\u201d brand does not contain either of these chemicals, but, it costs about twice as much as their regular baby shampoo. That makes TWO carcinogen-free formulas at their disposal, which makes the line \u201cWe are completing this reformulation as quickly as we can safely and responsibly do so,\u201d seem like a rather strange excuse,.<\/p>\n

What to Look for to Avoid Formaldehyde and 1,4-Dioxane<\/p>\n

If you want to avoid formaldehyde-releasing ingredients and 1,4-dioxane, you need to know what to look for as they\u2019re NOT listed on the label; at least not in those words. Common ingredients likely to contaminate products with formaldehyde include:<\/p>\n

Quaternium-15
\nDMDM hydantoin
\nImidazolidinyl urea
\nDiazolidinyl urea
\nTo avoid 1,4-dioxane, watch out for these ingredients, which create 1,4-dioxane as a byproduct:<\/p>\n

PEG-100 stearate
\nSodium laureth sulfate
\nSodium myreth sulfate
\nPolyethylene
\nCeteareth-20
\nOther Hazardous Ingredients to Watch Out for<\/p>\n

It\u2019s unfortunate, but personal care products, including those specifically designed for babies, can contain a number of hazardous ingredients. Other common culprits to avoid include:
\nAny chemical that includes the clauses \u201cxynol,\u201d \u201cceteareth,\u201d and \u201coleth\u201d
\nDiethanolamine or DEA, a potentially cancer-causing agent. DEA also readily reacts with nitrite preservatives and contaminants to create nitrosodiethanolamine (NDEA), a known and potent carcinogen. The chemical also appears to block absorption of the nutrient choline, which is vital to brain development
\nPropylene Glycol. Despite the fact the material safety data sheet warns users to avoid skin contact with propylene glycol as it is a strong skin irritant and can also cause liver abnormalities and kidney damage, it\u2019s a common ingredient in shampoos
\nParabens. These preservatives may be listed on the label as methyl paraben, ethyl paraben, propyl paraben, butyl paraben, isobutyl paraben, or E216. They have shown particularly troubling links to cancer.Studies have shown that parabens can affect your body much like estrogens, which can lead to diminished muscle mass, extra fat storage, and male gynecomastia (breast growth). Other studies have also linked parabens to breast cancer, as researchers found traces of parabens in every sample of tissue taken from 20 different breast tumors. The EPA has linked methyl parabens in particular to metabolic, developmental, hormonal, and neurological disorders, as well as various cancers
\nAverage Baby Exposed to Dozens of Potentially Unsafe Chemicals Daily<\/p>\n

Four years ago, the Environmental Working Group (EWG) surveyed 3,300 parents and compared the baby products they used to lists of chemicals known to cause allergies, hormone disruption, damage to the nervous system, and cancer. Their review revealediv that children are exposed to about 27 chemical ingredients on a daily basis that have never been assessed for safety. Not by the industry, nor by the government. Examples of hazardous ingredients and baby products from that review include:<\/p>\n

2 bromo, 2 nitropropane, and 3-DIOL: Can cause allergies and skin irritations. In certain products, these ingredients can also break down to form other cancer-causing agents
\nSodium borate, found in Desitin diaper cream, can accumulate in your child\u2019s brain and liver, causing detrimental health effects
\nOxybenzone, a common ingredient in sunscreen, can trigger allergies, and may disrupt a child\u2019s delicate hormone system
\nInterestingly, 89 percent of products labeled \u201cRecommended by doctor\u201d were found to be some of the worst offenders, containing some of the most dangerous chemicals!<\/p>\n

The 2007 EWG study also determined that:v<\/p>\n

82 percent of children are exposed every week to one or more ingredients with the potential to harm the brain and nervous system.
\n69 percent of children are exposed every week to one or more ingredients that may disrupt the hormone system.
\n3.6 percent of children are exposed to ingredients with strong data linking them to cancer, including chemicals classified as known or probable human carcinogens.
\n80 percent of children\u2019s products marked as gentle and non-irritating contain ingredients linked to allergies and skin or eye irritation according to government and industry sources.
\nEvaluate Ingredients Before You Buy<\/p>\n

The issue of potential toxins lurking in shampoos, soaps, lotions, and other personal care products is a serious one, as your skin readily absorbs these chemicals, allowing them directly into your blood stream. When absorbed, they can actually do more harm than if you were to swallow them.<\/p>\n

I strongly recommend switching over to organic brands of toiletries, including children\u2019s personal care products. You can usually find a good variety at either your local health food store, or by searching online. Keep in mind that not all products marked \u201cnatural\u201d or \u201corganic\u201d are in fact wholly natural or organic, as \u201cgreenwashing\u201d has become increasingly pervasive.<\/p>\n

I highly recommend using the Environmental Working Group\u2019s Skin Deep site to evaluate each product before settling on a purchase. The EWG is a nonprofit public-interest research group known for making connections between chemical exposure and adverse health conditions. Since its inception in 2004, their \u201cSkin Deep\u201d study has assigned health-risk ratings to thousands of personal-care products.<\/p>\n

General Shopping Guidelines<\/p>\n

Some general guidelines to keep in mind when purchasing personal care products include:<\/p>\n

Look for the genuine USDA Organic Seal.
\nIf you can\u2019t pronounce it, you probably don\u2019t want to put it on your body. Ask yourself, \u201cWould I eat this?\u201d
\nLook for products that are fragrance-free. One artificial fragrance can contain hundreds\u2014even thousands\u2014of chemicals and fragrances are a major cause of allergic reactions.
\nPay attention to the order in which the ingredients are listed. Manufacturers are required to list ingredients in descending order by volume, meaning the first few ingredients are the most prominent. If calendula extract is the last ingredient in a long list, your calendula body wash isn\u2019t very natural.
\nStick to the basics. Do you really need 10 products to prepare for your day? Simplify your life and rescue your bank account by reducing the total number of products you use daily.
\nBuy products that come in glass bottles rather than plastic, since chemicals can leach out of plastics and into the contents. Bisphenol A (BPA) is a serious concern. Make sure any plastic container is BPA-free.
\nLook for products that are made by companies that are Earth-friendly, animal-friendly and committed to organic and sustainable business practices.
\nThere is reason to be concerned about the numerous toxic chemicals you expose your children to on a daily basis, as each and every exposure adds to your child\u2019s total, long-term toxic load.<\/p>\n

For more information, I highly recommend reading Dr. Doris Rapp\u2019s book, Our Toxic World: A Wake Up Call. Dr. Rapp does a thorough job of uncovering the many ways you\u2019re exposed to toxic chemicals, and how they take a toll on your health, contributing to the many chronic diseases you see today.<\/p>\n

Call to Action<\/p>\n

SafeCosmetics.org recommends taking decisive consumer action to end the unnecessary inclusion of toxic ingredients in products designed for babies. Here\u2019s what you can do:<\/p>\n

Vote with your pocketbook: Until Johnson & Johnson commits to making safer baby products for all babies, purchase products from companies making safer alternatives. Search EWG\u2019s Skin Deep cosmetic database to find safer products.
\nContact Johnson & Johnson: Sign the petition to Johnson & Johnson, asking them to immediately remove formaldehyde-releasing preservatives from all of its baby products sold in all countries and replace them with safer alternatives.
\nWrite to Congress: Ask your U.S. Representative to support the Safe Cosmetics Act of 2011.<\/p>\n