kasalt
17-08-2007, 07:40 AM
Nanotechnology and Sunscreens:
A Consumer Guide for Avoiding Nano-Sunscreens
Sun worshippers beware. While using sunscreen to block dangerous UV rays, you may be exposing yourself to a new danger. Sunscreen manufacturers are adding nanoparticles to sunscreens to make sun-blocking ingredients like titanium dioxide and zinc oxide rub on clear instead of white. These nanoparticles are being added without appropriate labeling or reliable safety information—and they pose potential threats to human health.
Friends of the Earth asked more than 120 sunscreen manufacturers to describe their companies’ policies regarding nanotechnology and whether their products contain nanoparticles, but the vast majority of manufacturers refused. This underscores the challenge that consumers face when trying to determine if their sunscreens are safe, which is why FDA regulation and labeling requirements are urgently needed. In the meantime, Friends of the Earth has compiled a guide to alert consumers to the risks that may come from sunscreens with nanoparticles and a list of nine sunscreen brands that are nano free.
We asked 128 cosmetics companies whether they were using nanotechnology, which is largely untested and may pose real dangers to human health, in making their skin products. These are the only nine who confirmed that they have kept nanoparticles out of their products and their customers out of harm:
Alba Botanica
Allergan
Aubrey Botanics
Avalon Organics
Black Opal
Blistex
Chattem, Inc. -- Bullfrog
Lakeview Laboratories -- Tatoo Goo
Schwarzkopf & Henkel
Products containing manufactured nanoparticles:
Chemical-Free Sunscreen SPF 15, from Burt's Bees Inc. (Manufacturers claim nano content)
Blue Lizard, from Crown Laboratories Inc. (Manufacturers claim nano content)
Applied Therapeutics (Others claim nano content)
Bebe/Enfant High Protection SPF 50, from Mustela (Others claim nano content)
Cotz SPF 58, from Fallene (Others claim nano content)
http://action.foe.org/dia/organizationsORG/foe/content.jsp?content_KEY=3060
A Consumer Guide for Avoiding Nano-Sunscreens
Sun worshippers beware. While using sunscreen to block dangerous UV rays, you may be exposing yourself to a new danger. Sunscreen manufacturers are adding nanoparticles to sunscreens to make sun-blocking ingredients like titanium dioxide and zinc oxide rub on clear instead of white. These nanoparticles are being added without appropriate labeling or reliable safety information—and they pose potential threats to human health.
Friends of the Earth asked more than 120 sunscreen manufacturers to describe their companies’ policies regarding nanotechnology and whether their products contain nanoparticles, but the vast majority of manufacturers refused. This underscores the challenge that consumers face when trying to determine if their sunscreens are safe, which is why FDA regulation and labeling requirements are urgently needed. In the meantime, Friends of the Earth has compiled a guide to alert consumers to the risks that may come from sunscreens with nanoparticles and a list of nine sunscreen brands that are nano free.
We asked 128 cosmetics companies whether they were using nanotechnology, which is largely untested and may pose real dangers to human health, in making their skin products. These are the only nine who confirmed that they have kept nanoparticles out of their products and their customers out of harm:
Alba Botanica
Allergan
Aubrey Botanics
Avalon Organics
Black Opal
Blistex
Chattem, Inc. -- Bullfrog
Lakeview Laboratories -- Tatoo Goo
Schwarzkopf & Henkel
Products containing manufactured nanoparticles:
Chemical-Free Sunscreen SPF 15, from Burt's Bees Inc. (Manufacturers claim nano content)
Blue Lizard, from Crown Laboratories Inc. (Manufacturers claim nano content)
Applied Therapeutics (Others claim nano content)
Bebe/Enfant High Protection SPF 50, from Mustela (Others claim nano content)
Cotz SPF 58, from Fallene (Others claim nano content)
http://action.foe.org/dia/organizationsORG/foe/content.jsp?content_KEY=3060