A known human skin, lung, and immune system toxicant (ECB 2006; NLM 2006), and skin, eye, and lung irritant (ECB 2006), degradation of Bronopol can lead to formation of formaldehyde and nitrosamines (CIR 2006), known and suspected cancer-causing agents. Animal studies indicate very low doses of Bronopol could harm the gastrointestinal system (Bandman 1994) or trigger broad systemic health effects (RTECS 1977).

The European Union considers BHA unsafe for use in fragrance because it can cause skin depigmentation (SCCPNFP 1999, 2000). A known human immune system toxicant (NLM 2006), and a possible human carcinogen (NTP 2005), BHA produces liver damage in lab animals at very low doses (Rahimtula 1982), and is a suspected hormone disruptor (Colborn 2006). BHA can also be used as a preservative in food.

This preservative provokes allergic responses, and can be irritating and toxic to human skin (CIR 2006; NLM 2006). Degradation can lead to the formation of formaldehyde (CIR 2006), a cancer-causing agent. To reduce exposure to formaldehyde, the cosmetic industry's own safety panel states that this ingredient is unsafe in aerosolized products (CIR 2006).

Oxybenzone absorbs into the skin, and helps other ingredients penetrate as well (Hayden 1997, 2005; Gupta, 1999; Potard, 2000; Pont 2004). A recent biomonitoring study detected oxybenzone in the urine of 86 of 90 girls age 6 to 8 (Wolff 2007). In sunlight, oxybenzone can trigger photoallergenic reactions (Bryden 2006; Rodriguez 2006), and forms reactive chemicals that harm cells (Allen 1996; Serpone 2002; Hanson 2006). Limited evidence suggests this chemical may affect the hormone system (Nakagawa 2002; Ma 2003; Schlumpf 2001, 2004; Kunz 2006; Ziolkowska 2006).

Triclosan has been found in human breast milk and blood samples (Adolfsson-Erici 2002; TNO 2005), and in the urine of 61 percent of 90 girls ages 6 to 8 (Wolff 2007). An animal study indicates triclosan may be a potent disruptor of the thyroid hormone system (Veldhoen 2006). Triclosan can be irritating to the eyes and skin (Bhargava 1996; ECB 2006), and breaks down into toxic chemicals in surface waters and chlorinated tap water.

The cosmetic industry's own safety panel states these chemicals are unsafe for infant or damaged skin, as they can absorb readily into the body (CIR 2006). Despite this guidance, boric acid and sodium borate are found in diaper rash ointments. Once absorbed, boron accumulates in the brain and liver, and is eliminated very slowly (CIR 2006). Cases of boron poisoning of infants and adults often involve accidental ingestion, or use of products with unusually high concentrations of these chemicals (CIR 2006).

Dibutyl phthalate and toluene are reproductive and developmental toxicants (California EPA 2006; ECB 2006; NLM 2006), and are neurotoxic to humans (Grandjean 2006). Both trigger allergic response (AOEC 2006; NLM 2006), and toluene can irritate the eyes, skin, and lungs (EPA 2005; CIR 2006; ECB 2006). Dibutyl phthalate is a suspected hormone disruptor (BKH/European Commission 2000; Illinois EPA 2000) linked to reproductive abnormalities in baby boys and men (Duty 2003, 2004; Swan 2005; Main 2006); the E.U. has banned its use in cosmetics (ECB 2006). Limited evidence links toluene to cancer (IARC 2006); this ingredient has been found unsafe for use in cosmetics by the fragrance industry (IFRA 2006).

Fragrances are among the top 5 allergens in the world (de Groot 1997; Jansson 2001), and are known to trigger asthma attacks (Norback 1995; Millqvist 1996). Fragrances can contain ingredients suspected of neurotoxicity (USHR 1986), as well as known or suspected hormone disruptors (EWG 2007).

Fluoride is an effective cavity-fighter, but consuming too much of it can lead to fluorosis, or discolored teeth, and may have neurotoxic and neurodevelopmental effects (Grandjean 2006). The American Dental Association recommends fluoride-free toothpaste for children under 2 (ADA 2006).ÊFor children under 6, the Centers for Disease Control recommends "child-strength" toothpastes with around 0.08% fluoride (0.075% W/V fluoride ion or sodium monofluorophosphate 0.35% or sodium fluoride 0.12%), or about 1/2 of what's found in regular strength toothpaste.

These petrochemicals may contain impurities including 1,4-dioxane and ethylene oxide (CIR 2006), possible and known human carcinogens, respectively. The cosmetic industry's own safety panel ruled that many of these compounds are not safe for use on injured or damaged skin (CIR 2006), as they absorb readily into skin and make it easier for other chemicals to penetrate (CIR 2006).

Parabens have been found in human urine and breast tumor tissue (Darbre 2004; Ye 2006). Some are skin sensitizers or irritants (Schamberg 1967; Nagel 1977; Soni 2001, 2002; CIR 2006); the European Union banned use of sodium methylparaben in fragrance because it can depigment skin (SCCPNFP 1999, 2000). Lab studies link parabens to cancer and reproductive or hormone-disrupting effects (Ishidate 1978; Matsuoka 1979; Lemini 1997; Routledge 1998; Oishi 2001, 2002a, b; Darbre 2002, 2003; Kusakabe 2002; Mikula 2006).

Toxic to human skin, respiratory, and immune systems (AOEC 2006; CIR 2006; NLM 2006), triethanolamine can form carcinogenic nitrosamines in some products (CIR 2006). Limited evidence suggests triethanolamine itself is carcinogenic (IARC 2006). Allergy concerns caused the cosmetic industry's own safety panel to specify that leave-in personal care products should contain lower levels of triethanolamine than rinse-off products (CIR 2006).

Dyes are diverse; each has different chemical properties, and different potential health concerns. Limited evidence links some dyes to cancer, including D&C Violet 2, EXT D&C Violet 2, FD&C Blue 1, FD&C Green 3, FD&C Red 4, and FD&C Yellow 5 (Zhurkov 1975; CA EPA 2006; IARC 2006). D&C Violet 2 is banned in cosmetics in the European Union and Canada (EC 1999-2006; Health Canada 2007). Dyes not FDA-approved for use around mouth, lips, eyes, or damaged skin include D&C Violet 2, EXT D&C Violet 2, FD&C Green 3, FD&C Red 3, and FD&C Red 4 (FDA 2006). Barium or aluminum dyes, like D&C Red 6 Barium Lake, and FD&C Blue 1 Aluminum Lake, are neurotoxic, and may be developmentally neurotoxic (Grandjean 2006). FD&C Yellow 5 produced neurological and musculoskeletal effects at very low doses in animals (Lockey 1959). EXT D&C Violet 2 can contain harmful impurities; the the cosmetic industry's own safety panel has recommended use restrictions (CIR 2006).

Benzyl alcohol is a skin allergen and irritant (RTECS 1979; Verecken 1998). The cosmetic industry's own safety panel recommends concentration restrictions for this ingredient, and found insufficient data to determine its safety in products that can be inhaled (CIR 2006). In 1982, exposure to benzyl alcohol in medical settings caused 16 preterm infant deaths, leading the Centers for Disease Control to recommend discontinuing its use in medications intended for infants (CDC 1982). Isopropyl alcohol is a skin irritant (ECB 2006) with limited evidence of developmental toxicity (California EPA 2006). Concern over health risks due to inhalation led to establishment of a legal limit for the amount of isopropyl alcohol in the air in occupational settings in the U.S. (CFR 2006). Several infant and child deaths have been caused by applying high levels of isopropyl alcohol to the skin to sterilize wounds or reduce fever (Hayes 1990). Both ingredients can be used as food additives, and are neurotoxic to humans (Grandjean 2006).

A pesticide registered with EPA as a fungicide and wood preservative, iodopropynyl butylcarbamate can cause skin allergy when present in personal care products (Pazzaglia 1999). Concerns over allergic respiratory reactions led the cosmetic industry's own safety panel to declare this chemical unsafe in aerosolized products (CIR 2006). Though chemically similar to a number of neurotoxic pesticides, the neurotoxic potential of this ingredient has not been assessed.

These preservatives can trigger allergic reactions and irritate the skin (CIR 2006; NLM 2006). Canada and Japan place restrictions on their use in cosmetics (JMHLW 2006; Health Canada 2007), and allergy concerns caused the cosmetic industry's own safety panel to specify that leave-in products should contain lower levels of these chemicals than rinse-off products (CIR 2006). Lab studies on the brain cells of mammals suggest that methylisothiazolinone is neurotoxic, and may be developmentally neurotoxic as well (Du 2002; He 2006).