Have you noticed that Johnson & Johnson products irritate the skin of the children in your care?
China has pulled Johnson & Johnson products off their shelves, yet the United States has not.
The reason is Johnson & Johnson products contain carcinogens. The carcinogens found in some of their popular baby products include 1,4-dioxane and formaldehyde.
The Environmental Working Group Campaign for Safe Cosmetics commissioned the study to test 48 products for 1,4-dioxane, and 28 of those products were also tested for formaldehyde.
The lab found:
- 67 % of products contained 1,4-dioxane
- 82 % contain formaldehyde
- 17 products contaminated with both 1,4-dioxane and formaldehyde
The full list of products tested is in the Campaign’s report, No More Toxic Tub. They include: Johnson & Johnson’s baby shampoo, Baby Magic “Soft Baby Scent” Baby Lotion, and American Girl “Hopes & Dreams” Glistening Shower and Beth Wash.
Even if there are only trace amounts of carcinogens in these products, when a baby is bathed in the chemicals each and every day it is common sense that their cancer risk increases.
Considering that formaldehyde and 1,4-dioxane are known carcinogens and that formaldehyde can also trigger skin rashes in children it's upsetting that unlike many other countries, the U.S. government does not limit formaldehyde, 1,4-dioxane, or most other hazardous substances in personal care products.
If our government won't do it for you, than consider the risks yourself.
What You Can Do:
1. Choose safer alternatives by visiting the Skin Deep data base maintained by Environmental Working Group.
2. Contact Johnson & Johnson, and urge them to clean up their products by removing dangerous ingredients like 1,4 dioxane and formaldehyde. Here is a sample of what to write:
"Please remove all carcinogens from your products. Since Johnson & Johnson baby products contain the known carcinogens 1,4 dioxane and formaldehyde in which no child should be exposed, I will no longer use your products until these compounds are removed from all your products."
Main Office:
One Johnson & Johnson Plaza
New Brunswick, New Jersey 08933
(732) 524-0400
3. Write to Rep. Henry Waxman, Chairman of the House Energy and Commerce Committee,
with responsibility for legislation and oversight in the areas of public health, consumer protection, food and drug safety, and the environment. Urge Rep. Waxman to convene hearings on toxic ingredients in baby products.
2204 Rayburn House Office Building
Washington, D.C. 20515
Telephone (202) 225-3976
Fax (202) 225-4099
4. Write your Senators and Representative and urge them to support the Kid-Safe Chemical Act, legislation that would strengthen laws and regulations to protect kids from toxins in all products including baby soap and shampoo.
