on jasmime_sysu
So the industry is used to doing things
this way. And they can, because even now that scientists have linked the
chemicals they’re using to all sorts of
problems, there are
no laws to get rid of them. You’re
thinking: Really? Come on.
Nobody's making sure that the stuff we smear all over our bodies
is safe? Nope.
The FDA doesn't even assess the safety of personal care products or their ingredients. Since 1938, they've banned
just eight out of over twelve thousand
ingredients used in cosmetics. They don't even require that all of the
ingredients be listed on the label. Now this is an example where we can all
agree a little more government action would
be helpful.
This lack of regulation leaves a huge hole that the cosmetics
industry is all too happy to fill. They set up their own committee
to self-police their product and
compliance with their recommendations is voluntary. So the cosmetics industry is making the rules and then
deciding whether or not to follow them. So, you see, it isn't our fault that these toxic of products are in our bathrooms.
It's a whole broken system that’s
ignoring the simple rule: toxics in,
toxics out. But we’re not helpless. There’re resources online that we can use to protect
ourselves by identifying the best possible choices in the store. But the real
action is with people working to change
the system. Because if we really want to solve this problem, we gonna start here with
these guys: women, parents, workers, people all over the country are demanding the
Congress pass a new law, giving FDA the power to make sure that our personal
care products are safe. We need common-sense
laws based on the precautionary
principle. That means that when we're
dealing with hazardous chemicals, just err on the side of the caution. Let’s not debate how much lead should be allowed in lipstick, just get the toxic chemicals out of our
products.
Smarter laws would
force companies to get passed that
old 50s mindset, and figure out how to get us
all clean and shiny without toxic chemicals. Can they? Totally. Many
responsible cosmetics companies are already putting safer products on the
market. Green chemists are developing substances that are designed to be safe
and non-toxic in the first place.
European governments have required the removal of
many toxic chemicals and companies have figured out how to comply.
When cosmetics are reformulated to be safe
and labeled honestly, then we can feel comfortable with the choices available
at the store. We can choose bouncy hair or full
hair, shiny lipstick or matte. We can even choose to feel beautiful without
using 20 products. But we’ll know that
whatever we choose, the most important choice, the choice to be safe and
healthy has already been made.
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