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Toxins in household dust may be harmful to kids
Most of the dust that coats your furniture and floors comes from outdoors and can pose a health threat, a new study suggests.
BPA in canned foods could harm children, group says
Measurable levels of the chemical additive bisphenol A (BPA) were found in a variety of canned goods, including some that claimed to be BPA-free, according to an analysis released this week by the nonprofit advocacy group Consumers Union.
Toxic toys? Health group finds high lead levels
Children's toys carrying the Barbie and Disney logos have turned up with high levels of lead in them, according to a California-based advocacy group — a finding that may give consumers pause as they shop for the holiday season.
Baby toiletries laced with cancer causing chemicals: Analysis
Baby toiletries laced with cancer causing chemicals: Analysis

 Those innocuous looking and sweet smelling baby toiletries may spell doom for the toddlers. Laboratory analyses of top brands reveal that commonly used baby bath products contain chemicals that may cause cancer define and skin allergies, report released by the health group, Campaign for Safe Cosmetics (CSC), warns.

All 48 products, including best-selling products like Johnson and Johnson’s Baby Shampoo, Baby Magic’s Soft Baby Scent Lotion, Sesame Street Bubble Bath, Grins & Giggles Milk & Honey Baby Wash, were tested for the two chemicals - 1,4-dioxane and formaldehyde.

Surprisingly, 17 of 28 products tested positive for both formaldehyde and 1,4-dioxane; 23 of 28 products contained formaldehyde; and 32 of 48 products contained 1,4-dioxane, tests revealed.

While Baby Magic’s Soft Baby Scent Lotion contained the highest levels of formaldehyde, ‘American Girl’ shower products, marketed by Bath & Body Works, contained the highest levels of 1,4-dioxane. Big brands like Johnson and Johnson’s Baby Shampoo and Sesame Street Bubble Bath were also found to contain both chemical contaminants, researchers revealed.

The chemicals are not added intentionally, but are formed as manufacturing byproducts, thus do not make it among ingredients on the labels, CSC highlighted. "Formaldehyde is created when other chemicals in the product break down over time, while 1,4-dioxane is formed when foaming agents are combined with ethylene oxide or similar petrochemicals."

So, how do we figure out the presence of the chemical? "Consumers can look out for ingredients that are likely to contain either of the chemicals peg-100 stearate, sodium laureth sulfate, polyethylene and ceteareth-20, quaternium-15, DMDM hydantoin, imidazolidinyl urea, diazolidinyl urea and sodium hydroxymethoylglycinate," CSC advised.

Meanwhile, manufacturers characterize the CSC report as ‘incomplete and alarmist’. A statement by cosmetics industry group Personal Care Products Council (PCPC) criticized the report, saying that "Allegations that commonly used baby products are somehow contaminated with harmful levels of carcinogenic chemicals are patently false and a shameful and cynical attempt by an activist group to incite and prey upon parental worries and concerns in order to push a political, legislative, and legal agenda."

"Cosmetic and personal care product companies take their commitment to safety and their responsibilities under the law very seriously and work hard to earn and keep the trust of consumers and their families.

"Parents should be given complete and accurate information about their products based on sound science rather than on incomplete and alarmist reports," John Bailey, the council's chief scientist averred.