Infants and toddlers exposed to baby lotions...

From Los Angeles Times

Infants and toddlers exposed to baby lotions, shampoos and powders carry high concentrations of hormone-altering chemicals in their bodies that might have reproductive effects, according to a new scientific study of babies born in Los Angeles and two other U.S. cities.

The research, to be published today in the medical journal Pediatrics, found that as the use of baby care products rose, so did the concentration of phthalates, which are used in many fragrances.The lead scientist in the study, Dr. Sheela Sathyanarayana of the University of Washington’s Department of Pediatrics, said the findings suggested that many baby care products contain a variety of phthalates that enter children’s bodies through their skin.Manufacturers do not list phthalates as ingredients on labels, so it is unknown which products contain them.

The researchers at the University of Washington and the University of Rochester stressed that the potential effects on babies were uncertain.But previous animal and human research suggests that early exposure to some phthalates could reduce testosterone and alter reproductive organs, particularly in males.The three phthalate compounds found in the highest concentrations in babies in the study were linked to reduced testosterone in a 2006 study of newborns in Denmark.

Some scientists theorize such changes in hormones could lead to fertility problems and male reproductive disorders.Representatives of the fragrance and cosmetics industries said they were surprised by the findings and questioned their validity. They said only one phthalate compound is used in baby products, and it is found in such low levels that they doubt it could explain high concentrations found in the babies.In the study, doctors tested the urine of 163 children between the ages of 2 months and 28 months born in Los Angeles, Minneapolis and Columbia, Mo., between 2000 and 2005.

All had detectable amounts of at least one type of phthalate, and more than 80% had seven or more types.“Phthalate exposure is widespread and variable in infants. We found that mothers’ reported use of infant lotion, infant powder and shampoo was significantly associated with . . . urinary concentrations,” the scientists wrote in the new study.In the study, babies exposed to baby lotion, shampoo and powder had more than four times the level of phthalates in their urine than babies whose parents had not used the products. The highest levels were reported in babies under 8 months old, and those exposed to lotions.

Previous studies have focused on a different route of exposure for children: sucking on soft, vinyl toys. Phthalates, in addition to helping cosmetics retain fragrance and color, are used as plasticizers in some vinyl. A recently passed California law will ban six types in children’s toys and feeding products, beginning next year. But no federal or state law in the United States prohibits their use in personal care products or cosmetics.

The study is the first to report that skin transfer may be a main route of exposure for babies.In their report, the scientists advised parents who want to reduce their baby’s exposure to stop using lotions and powders unless their doctors recommend them for medical reasons. They also suggested limiting use of shampoos and other products. Many adult lotions and other personal care products also contain phthalates.John Bailey, chief scientist for the Personal Care Products Council, an industry trade group, said diethyl phthalate, or DEP, is used in the fragrances of some baby lotions and other baby products.

But DEP is used at “very low levels, in the part-per-million range, below what could possibly account for the levels they are finding” in the babies’ urine, Bailey said. “All of the other phthalates, if they’re present, have to be coming from someplace else,” such as plastics or other products, he said.Bailey said he couldn’t explain why the researchers found such high concentrations in the babies that used lotions and the other products.

But he said the scientists shouldn’t have advised parents to stop using them because they did not test any products and cannot prove they were the source.“The results that are being presented and the conclusions being made don’t make a great deal of scientific sense,” Bailey said. “There’s a lot that makes you question whether their findings are valid.”

Europe has banned some phthalates in baby toys and cosmetics, but not the DEP found in fragrances.More than half the mothers in the new study reported using baby shampoos on their infants within 24 hours of the urine tests, and about one-third had used lotion, and 14% used powder within the same time period.No link was found to baby wipes or to diaper creams.The highest concentrations in the babies were for a phthalate known as MEP, which comes from DEP, the compound used in fragrances. One baby had an extremely high level of MEP — 4.4 parts per million.

Markets for superfoods, exotic fruits to double by 2011

(NewsTarget) The market in "super" foods and drinks is anticipated to nearly double from its 2001 levels by the year 2011, according to a report written by market analysis firm Datamonitor.

According to "Super Food and Drinks: Consumer Attitudes to Nutrient Rich Products," demand for superfoods has surged as consumers have become more concerned about nutrition. More than 50 percent of the 5413 U.S. and European consumers surveyed for the report said that they took more active steps to improve their diets in 2006 compared with previous years. The steps include eschewing foods that are high in fat, salt and sugar, as well as actively seeking out those perceived to be high in nutritive value. These include foods that are fresh, organic and nutrient enriched.

In particular, demand for products containing certain "super" ingredients, such as acai or goji berries, has skyrocketed. From January 2005 to May 2007, the number of products incorporating pomegranate as an ingredient increased by 500 percent compared with the period between 1999 and 2004.

This is part of a wider market trend, which has seen sales of soy products almost double in the United States while more than tripling in Western Europe between 2001 and 2006, and sales of green tea increased by more than 30 percent in the United States in the same eriod.

Datamonitor projects that the super foods market will grow from its 2001 levels of €5,872m ($8,013m) to €7,448m ($10,163m) by 2011.

The report also raises concerns with the growing market and offers suggestions for producers. Among the concerns cited are the ecological costs associated with shipping exotic ingredients from distant places to U.S. or European markets. The report also warns producers against marketing their products as a "magic bullet," and instead encourages them to emphasize the products' role in a healthy, balanced diet.

Certified Organic Skin Care: No Seal No Deal?

By Dani M NewsTarget.com, November 27 2007

We're all too familiar with organic food labels. Most of the ones found here in the U.S. display the USDA Organic seal or sticker, others show other organic certifiers such as QAI (Quality Assurance International) or CCOF (California Certified Organic Farmers) and many more. The food items displaying these labels earn a healthy toss into the grocery cart, leaving us with a reassurance that it's clean, tasty, non-toxic and good for the earth. But, the questions arises, what about organic skin care products? Should we be looking for the same labels? Just how "organic" are the skin care products claiming to be organic, are the terms "natural" and "organic" the same, and, does it even matter?

To read full story: Straight to the Source

Buzzing About Clorox Buying Out Burt's Bees

Organic beauty company Burt's Bees was recently sold to Clorox for $925 million. We asked some experts for insight on what being owned by a company best known for bleach might mean for the beauty brand with a grass-roots reputation.

Stacy Malkan, author of "Not Just a Pretty Face": It's disturbing because there are toxic ingredients in [Clorox's] products. Major corporations see the consumer demand for safe natural products, and we need to hold them accountable to keep those products pure and not slip in the cheap synthetics. We'll be watching them closely.Lauren DeSanto, stock analyst for Morningstar in Chicago: You know it's a bit of a surprising fit in some ways. Yet, Clorox has really been trying to focus on more organic and natural cleaners. So I think in that way, it's kind of complementary.

When you have a brand like Burt's Bees that has a loyal following, the idea is that people don't know that it has been acquired by a larger company. On the backside, you want to get efficiencies of scale. To the customers you don't want it to be any different.Horst Rechelbacher, founder of Intelligent Nutrients:It's an evolution. It's difficult for companies to change their habits. It's much easier to merge with other companies. It's very difficult for a public company to change ingredients. It's very similar with what Aveda has done [after being purchased by Estee Lauder].

John Bailey, chief scientist for the national trade group Cosmetic, Toiletry and Fragrance Association: I'm just a chemist, but it does point out an interesting phenomenon. In the cosmetics sector, consumers rule; what consumers want they will get. If there's an interest in organic or anything else, the industry is responsive. That's a fact of our economy across the board. Fuel-efficient cars, for example.

Straight to the Source

The Ugly Side of Beauty Products

Whether your beauty products might be bad for you is up for debate -- and that creates a major headache for consumers By SARA GLASSMAN Minneapolis Star Tribune, December 1, 2007

Straight to the Source

When you count everything from deodorant to toothpaste to hand soap to lotion, even the lowest-maintenance types among us probably use at least five beauty or personal-care products. How many do you use a day? That's the question that Stacy Malkan, author of "Not Just a Pretty Face: The Ugly Side of the Beauty Industry" posed to about 300 people attending a panel discussion at the University of Minnesota recently.

She asked that question because the safety of some ingredients commonly used in these products has become suspect by a number of watchdog groups.It was widely reported recently that more than half of the lipsticks tested by the Campaign for Safe Cosmetics contained lead. Another ingredient setting off alarms is phthalates (pronounced THAY-lates), a common component of fragrances, as reported by the

Enviromental Working Group.Full Story: http://www.startribune.com/lifestyle/style/11966016.html

Toxic Chemicals in Products: Financial Risks and Opportunities - VIDEO

Dear Friends,

Yesterday I pointed out some exciting developments in the organic agricultural movement.
This afternoon I discovered an amazing video that I really think you will enjoy.

It is primarily directed at people who are investing in big corporations; however, I found the information in this so validating. And just as yesterday - it was so exciting to witness before my very eyes - all these incredible changes taking place in our world towards sustainability!

You may find it slow in some places, but ride it out - the payola is hidden throughout!



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=11JvMZoMY8g

Let's Succeed Together!!

Exciting News in Organic Agriculture!

Scientists Estimate That Pesticides are Reducing Crop Yields by ONE-THIRD Through Impaired Nitrogen Fixation The impacts of pesticides on nitrogen fixation by Rhizobia bacteria is much greater than previously thought. An important new study links this impairment of signalling processes within plants, and between plants and soil bacteria, to pesticides and other soil contaminants.

Soil Quality from Long-term Organic Management Nearly Doubles Flavonoids in Organic Tomatoes Organic management nearly doubled the concentrations of two health-promoting flavonoids in tomatoes a long-term study in California.

Joining the Mission
Learn how your company can grow the market for organic—and your bottom line with Mission Organic The Organic Center's Mission Organic Affinity Partnership Program gives you the tools to help educate your customers about the quantifiable benefits of buying organic. You'll be a part of helping to grow the U.S. market for organic from 3 percent to 10 percent by 2010. For more information about this free affinity program, click here.

To join Mission Organic 2010 as an individual, click here. Learn the health and environmental impact of Mission Organic 2010, click here. About The Organic Center... Backed by the world's leading scientists, physicians and scholars, The Organic Center is passionately committed to two goals. 1) RESEARCH: providing free, peer-reviewed, credible science that explores the health and environmental benefits of organic agriculture. 2) EDUCATION: helping people and organizations access and better understand science that sheds light on the organic benefit. To access free downloads of the latest in organic science or to join Mission Organic 2010, go to: http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?t=8rqlbccab.0.wnbtn7bab.flj8asbab.5441&ts=S0260&p=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.organic-center.org

ALERT:USDA IGNORES PUBLIC REJECTION OF PROPOSAL TO ALLOW 38 NON-ORGANIC INGREDIENTS & TOXIC FISH OIL IN FOODS LABELED AS "USDA ORGANIC"

Basically ignoring more than ten thousand emails and letters from consumers and farmers opposing the latest industry-sponsored attack on organic standards, the USDA has approved a proposal allowing 38 new non-organic ingredients to be allowed in products bearing the "USDA Organic" seal. But the agency says this may just be interim approval, and has offered to extend the public comment period another 60 days (the original public comment period was only 7 days).

The USDA's controversial proposal will result in the following:

Anheuser Busch will be allowed to sell its "Organic Wild Hops Beer" without using any organic hops at all.

Sausages, brats, and breakfast links labeled as "USDA Organic" will be allowed to contain intestines from factory farmed animals raised on chemically grown feed, synthetic hormones, slaughterhouse waste, and antibiotics.

Products labeled as "USDA Organic" and containing fish oil may contain toxins such as PCBs and mercury.

Learn more and take action: http://alerts.organicconsumers.org/trk/click?ref=zqtbkk3um_1-b8x3147x342178&

Body absorbs 5lb of make-up chemicals a year

by Paul Stokes

telegraph.co.uk

Women who use make-up on a daily basis are absorbing almost 5lb of chemicals a year into their bodies, it is claimed.

Many use more than 20 different beauty products a day striving to look their best while nine out of 10 apply make-up which is past its use by date.

Dependence on cosmetics and toiletries means that a cocktail of 4lb 6oz of chemicals a year is absorbed into the body through the skin.

Some synthetic compounds involved have been linked to side effects ranging from skin irritation to premature ageing and cancer.

Richard Bence, a biochemist who has spent three years researching conventional products, said: "We really need to start questioning the products we are putting on our skin and not just assume that the chemicals in them are safe.

"We have no idea what these chemicals do when they are mixed together, the effect could be much greater than the sum of the individual parts." Mr Bence, an advocate of organic beauty products, believes that absorbing chemicals through the skin in more dangerous than swallowing them.

He said: "If lipstick gets into your mouth it is broken down by the enzymes in saliva and in the stomach. But chemicals get straight into your bloodstream, there is no protection."
Warnings over using out-of-date lipstick and mascara have also been issued by the Royal College of Optometrists which believes such items are a "hothouse" for harmful bacteria.

Clio Turton, of the Soil Association, said: "Many women are using over 20 different products a day, bombarding themselves with hundreds of different chemicals. They should be asking themselves 'is that eyelash conditioner really essential?' "

Among chemicals under scrutiny are parabens (para-hydroxybenzoic acids) which are preservatives used in products including soap, shampoo, deodorant and baby lotion. Traces of parabens have been found in breast tumour samples, although its link to the development of the cancer is disputed.

Sodium lauryl sulphate, used to help create lather in soaps, shampoo, shaving foam, toothpaste and bubble bath, can cause skin irritation.

The Cosmetic, Toiletry and Perfumery Association said there was no reason for worry because the products were covered by European Union rules requiring them to be safe.

A spokesman said: "The cocktail effect is an urban myth. We do know how different chemicals react individually and can predict how they interact with each other and this is taken into account when the safety of products is assessed."

Probiotic Treatment May Limit Eczema in Infants

NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - Oral supplementation with the probiotic Lactobacillus reuteri to the mother during pregnancy and to the infant after birth may help reduce the development of eczema and allergy associated with immunoglobulin E, a key protein involved in the allergic response, according to Swedish researchers. Read on...

Staying with the News
It is important that we stay on top of breaking news in the industry. Just yesterday I received my Book Club mail with the front cover promotiong a book called, "The Probiotic Revolution, the definitive guide to safe natural health solutions using probiotic and prebioitic foods and supplements." Naturally I ordered this book. It can also be found on Amazon.com if you are interested.

You can use Google to keep you in the loop by scheduling "Alerts" to come right into your email when such topics are discussesd on the internet in blogs, websites, news, etc. I do this not only for probiotics but phthalates, miessence, my own name... etc.

Also, be sure to take full advantage of the "testimonials" section on the ONE Group site.

Let's Succeed Together!

Article for Safe Cosmetics in the Whole Living Journal

Say No to Nano in Cosmetics

While industry and government officials debate the safety of nanotech, EWG analysts have already moved forward to identify 256 popular products where nanomaterials are listed as ingredients. Products include eye liner, moisturizer, bronzer, lip balm and sunscreen.

Take action now to urge the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to request that nanomaterials be clearly identified and assessed for safety before they are used in personal care products.
Why should you care? Nanomaterials are super-tiny manmade chemicals that may pose extraordinary and unpredictable risks to public health. The FDA is concerned about these micro-sized ingredients because their toxicity may be very different, and potentially more severe than normal-sized chemical ingredients.

The cosmetics industry is slowly adding more nanomaterials to personal care products, even though none of the nanomaterials found on product labels in Skin Deep have been assessed for safety.

Chemicals in your cosmetics = chemicals in you

Are you curious about the chemicals in your body? EWG, in partnership with Stanford University, is conducting a scientific study to test young women age 14-19 for chemicals found in many cosmetics and personal care products. If you're interested in participating, or know someone who might be, contact Becky Sutton at 866-222-7059 x304 to find out more about this study.