The "dirty dozen" for beauty and cleaning products!

So, for some this may be old news since it was released in the mid 1990's. For others of us since we were still in high school and didn't really care about any of this stuff, it's new news!! I found this list on the cancer prevention coalition website. I am resharing it here with you! It amazes me what is in some of these products. I am happy to say none of them are present in my house!! Below each product an alternative product is listed.

I would like to point out that these ingredients are in many many products out there not listed here! Most laundry detergents for example...please read labels and do your research!

 The"Dirty Dozen" Consumer Products

See September 21, 1995 press release
Cancer Group and Ralph Nader Release First Annual "Dirty Dozen" Consumer Product List

COSMETICS AND PERSONAL CARE PRODUCTS

Talcum Powder- (Johnson & Johnson. Inc.)

Labeled Toxic Ingredient:

TALC, Carcinogenic and a risk factor for ovarian cancer; lung irritant.

Safer Alternative:

Corn Starch - (Johnson & Johnson, Inc.)

Cover Girl Replenishing Natural Finish Make Up (Foundation)(Procter & Gamble. Inc.)

Labeled Toxic Ingredients

BHA, Carcinogenic.
TALC, Carcinogenic; Lung Irritant.
TRIETHANOLAMINE (TEA), Interacts with nitrites to form carcinogenic nitrosamines.
LANOLIN, Often contaminated with DDT and other carcinogenic pesticides.
PARABENS, Contact dermatitis.
FRAGRANCE, Wide range of unlabeled, untested, and toxic ingredients; contact dermatitis.

Safer Alternative:

Max Factor Pan-Silk Ultra Creamy Makeup (Max Factor, Inc.)

Crest Tartar Control Toothpaste - (Procter & Gamble. Inc.)

Labeled Toxic Ingredients:

FD&C BLUE #1, Carcinogenic.
SACCHARIN, Carcinogenic.
FLUORIDE, Possibly carcinogenic.

Safer Alternative:

Tom's of Maine Natural Non-Fluoride Toothpaste

Alberto VO5 Conditioner (Essence of Neutral Henna) (Alberto-Culver USA. Inc.)

photo credit

Labeled Toxic Ingredients:

FORMALDEHYDE, Carcinogenic; neurotoxic; contact dermatitis and sensitizer.
POLYSORBATE 80, Generally contaminated with the carcinogen 1,4-dioxane.
FD&C RED #4, Carcinogenic.
FRAGRANCE, Wide range of undisclosed ingredients; contact dermatitis.

Safer Alternative:

Earth Preserv Hair Vitalizer (all scents, but with fragrances) (Earth Preserv, Inc.)

Clairol Nice 'n Easy (Permanent Haircolor) (Clairol. Inc.)

Labeled Toxic Ingredients:

QUATERNlUM-15, Formaldehyde-releaser; carcinogenic; neurotoxic; contact dermatitis and sensitizer.
DIETHANOLAMINE (DEA), Carcinogenic; also interacts with nitrites to form a carcinogenic nitrosamine.
PHENYLENE-DIAMINES, Includes carcinogens and other ingredients inadequately tested for carcinogenicity; contact dermatitis.
PROPYLENE GLYCOL, Contact dermatitis.
FRAGRANCE, Wide range of undisclosed ingredients; contact dermatitis.

NOTE: Also evidence of causal relation to non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, multiple myeloma and other cancers. 

Safer Alternatives:

Igora Botanic - Schwarzkopf, Inc. or Logona Henna Black - Natur Kosmetik

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HOUSEHOLD PRODUCTS

Ajax Cleanser (Colgate-Palmolive. Inc.)

Unlabeled Toxic Ingredients:

CRYSTALLINE SILICA, Carcinogenic; eye, skin and lung irritant.
WASHING SODA,Caustic.

NOTE: Carcinogenicity of silica is admitted in 1994 Material Safety and Data Sheet (MSDS).
(Manufacturer claims to have reduced silica levels since 1993.)

Safer Alternative:
Comet Cleanser (Procter & Gamble, Inc.)

Zud Heavy Duty Cleanser (Reckitt & Colman. Inc.)

Unlabeled Toxic Ingredient:

CRYSTALLINE SILICA, Carcinogenic; eye, skin and lung irritant. (Carcinogenicity is denied in Material Safety and Data Sheet.)

Safer Alternative:

Comet Cleanser (Procter & Gamble, Inc.)

Lysol Disinfectant Spray (Reckitt & Colman. Inc.)

Labeled or Unlabeled Toxic Ingredient:
ORTHOPHENYLPHENOL (OPP): Carcinogenic; irritant. (Carcinogenicity is denied in Material Safety and Data Sheet.)

Safer Alternative:

White Vinegar or hydrogen peroxide 

Zodiac Cat & Dog Flea Collar (Sandoz Agro. Inc).

Labeled Toxic Ingredient

PROPOXUR, Carcinogenic; neurotoxic.

Safer Alternative:

Trader Joe's Herbal Flea Collar for cats or dogs

Ortho Weed-B-Gon Lawn Weed Killer (Monsanto Co.)

Labeled Toxic Ingredient

SODIUM 2,4-DICHLOROPHENOXYACETATE (2,4-D), Carcinogenic with evidence of casual relation to lymphoma, soft tissue sarcoma and other cancers ; neurotoxic; reproductive toxin.

Safer Alternative:

Organic pesticides

FOOD

Beef Frankfurters - (eg. Oscar Mayer Foods Corporation)

Unlabeled Toxic Ingredients

BENZENE HEXACHLORIDE, Carcinogenic.
DACTHAL, Carcinogenic (can be contaminated with dioxin); irritant; strong sensitizer.
DIELDRIN, Carcinogenic; xenoestrogen.
DDT, Carcinogenic; xenoestrogen.
HEPTACHLOR, Carcinogenic; neurotoxic; reproductive toxin; xenoestrogen.
HEXACHLOROBENZENE, Carcinogenic; neurotoxic; teratogenic.
LINDANE, Carcinogenic; neurotoxic; damage to blood forming cells.
HORMONES: Carcinogenic and feminizing.
ANTIBIOTICS: Some are carcinogenic, cause allergies and drug resistance.

Labeled Ingredient
NITRITE, Interacts with meat amines to form carcinogenic nitrosamines which are a major risk factor for childhood cancers.

Safer Alternative:
Nitrite-Free Organic hot dogs or tofu franks.

Whole Milk - (eg. Borden or Lucerne)

Unlabeled Toxic Ingredients

DDT, Carcinogenic; xenoestrogen.
DIELDRIN, Carcinogenic; xenoestrogen.
HEPTACHLOR, Carcinogenic; neurotoxic; reproductive toxin; xenoestrogen.
HEXACHLOROBENZENE, Carcinogenic; neurotoxic; reproductive toxin.
ANTIBIOTICS: Some are carcinogenic, cause allergies and drug resistance.
RECOMBINANT BOVINE GROWTH HORMONE and IGF-1: Also, risk factor for breast, colon and prostate cancers. 

Safer Alternative:

rBGH-free Organic skim milk

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For more information, see: Steinman, D. and Epstein, S.S.

The Safe Shopper's Bible, Macmillan/IDG 1995, New York, NY (800-434-3422)

Epstein, S.S. The Politics of Cancer Revisited, East Ridge Press 1998, Hankins, NY (845-887-6467).