TOXIC TUBS FOR BABIES: Fight back
This email from the Colorado Women's Lobby arrived in my mailbox this morning...
Email Subject: Safe Cosmetics Colorado
Thank you for your on-going interest in the Campaign for Safe Cosmetics. We are preparing to fully launch a statewide Campaign here in the Fall of 2009. We are planning events in both Denver and Boulder to build the momentum to introduce legislation in the 2010 session. If you are interested in helping and/or have ideas for events and outreach, please let us know!
In the meantime, we will continue to share news from the National Campaign. Stay informed through http://safecosmetics.org and http://www.coloradowomenslobby.org.
Last month the Campaign for Safe Cosmetics and partner organizations released a report http://safecosmetics.org//article.php?id=414 revealing that dozens of popular bath products for babies and kids contain at least two hazardous contaminants: 1,4-dioxane and formaldehyde.
Both of these chemicals cause cancer in animals, and formaldehyde is also known to cause skin rashes in people who are sensitive to the chemical.
Parents around the world were particularly infuriated that Johnson’s Baby Shampoo, the iconic brand that many hospitals send home with new babies, contained both of these contaminants – neither of which is listed on ingredient labels.
The story was covered across the United States, around the world and online http://safecosmetics.org/article.php?list=type&type=42. Concerned moms called Johnson & Johnson – and then blogged http://organicmania.com/2009/04/10/the-aftermath-of-the-green-moms-carnival-hysterical-mommy-bloggers/ about the company’s dismissive response.
Of the report, J&J said, “The trace levels of certain compounds found by the Campaign for Safe Cosmetics can result from processes that make our products gentle for babies and safe from bacteria growth,” and the Campaign should stop “alarming” parents.
We think parents have a right to know if the products they buy for their babies contain hazardous chemicals linked to cancer and skin rashes. Other companies are making safe and gentle baby products without hazardous chemicals. Instead of playing defense, J&J should live up to its promises of purity and be the safest, most responsible company it can be.
Whether you bathe your little ones using Johnson’s Baby Shampoo, you grew up with “No More Tears” in the tub, you’re a medical professional or you’re just outraged that there are carcinogens in shampoo, take a minute to tell J&J that safe products are important to you.
Take Action: Send a letter to Johnson & Johnson from our Web site http://org2.democracyinaction.org/o/5500/campaign.jsp?campaign_KEY=1426
Learn More: Read our report, “No More Toxic Tub” [http://safecosmetics.org//article.php?id=414]
