The CSC tested 48 different name-brand kids' bath products for 1,4-dioxane; 28 of those items were also tested for formaldehyde. According to the CSC, 61 percent of 28 products tested contained both chemicals. Twenty-three out of 28 contained formaldehyde at levels ranging from 54 to 610 parts per million. In the broader spectrum test of 48 products, 35 contained 1,4-dioxane with levels up to 35 parts per million.
The Environmental Protection Agency classifies 1,4-dioxane as a probable carcinogen, and the European Union bans the chemical from personal care products at any level and has recalled products that contain the chemical. Several samples of American Girl shower products were found to contain the highest levels of 1,4-dioxane.
The EPA considers formaldehyde as a probable human carcinogen; the chemical can also trigger adverse skin reactions in children and adults who are sensitive to the chemical. Formaldehyde is banned from personal care products in Japan and Sweden. Baby Magic Baby Lotion, made by Ascendia Brands, contained the highest levels of formaldehyde found in the tests; two samples had formaldehyde at levels that would trigger warning label requirements in Europe (above 500 ppm or .05 percent).
"When products for babies are labeled 'gentle' and 'pure,' parents expect that they are just that," says Senator Diane Feinstein (D-Calif.). "To think that cancer-causing chemicals are contaminating baby shampoos and lotions is horrifying. I intend to soon introduce legislation requiring greater oversight of our cosmetics industry. We need to ensure that the chemicals that are used in our everyday products are safe."
How are the manufacturers reacting to the news?
A spokeswoman for Johnson & Johnson, Iris Grossman, told USA Today that the company's products are safe, meeting or exceeding all regulations. And a spokesman for the Personal Care Products Council, John Bailey, told USA Today that manufacturers have known for years that bubble bath, shampoo and other products contain small amounts of formaldehyde and 1,4-dioxane, and have already reduced theses levels significantly. He added that preservatives make products safer by preventing the growth of bacteria, fungus and other potentially harmful microbes.
Sheela Sathyanarayana, an environmental health pediatrician at Seattle Children's Hospital and an assistant professor at the University of Washington, countered the big manufacturers and told USA Today that she has seen kids become "extremely sensitized" from formaldehyde exposures. These children develop bigger and bigger reactions with each new exposure. That can make skin sensitive to a variety of substances, beyond just formaldehyde, she says.
So what products should you consider avoiding?
The products that tested positive for 1,4-dioxane include:
- American Girl Hopes and Dreams Glistening Shower and Bath Wash
- American Girl Real Beauty Inside and Out Shower Gel--Apple Blossom (three samples)
- American Girl Real Beauty Inside and Out Shower Gel--Sunny Orange
- Aveeno Baby Soothing Relief Creamy Wash (three samples)
- Baby Magic "Soft Baby Scent" Baby Lotion
- Barbie Berry Sweet Bubble Bath
- CVS Baby Shampoo
- CVS Kids Body Wash--Blueberry Blast
- Dora the Explorer Bubble Bath
- Equate Tearless Baby Wash
- Gentle Naturals Eczema Baby Wash
- Grins & Giggles Milk & Honey Baby Wash
- Hot Wheels Berry Blast Bubble Bath
- Huggies Naturally Refreshing Cucumber & Green Tea Baby Wash
- Johnson's Baby Shampoo
- Johnson's Moisture Care Baby Wash
- Johnson's Oatmeal Baby Wash--Vanilla
- L'Oreal Kids Extra Gentle 2-in-1 Fast Dry Shampoo--Burst of Cool Melon
- Mustela Baby Shampoo
- Mustela Dermo-Cleansing Gel for Hair and Body Newborn/Baby
- Mustela Multi-Sensory Bubble Bath
- Night-time Bath Baby Wash
- No-Ad Sun Pals SPF 45 UVA/UVB Sun Protection
- Pampers Kandoo Foaming Handsoap – Magic Melon
- Sesame Street Bubble Bath – Orange Mango Tango
- Soft & Beautiful Just for Me! No-Lye Conditioning Creme Relaxer, Children’s Super
- Suave Kids 2-in-1 Shampoo – Wild Watermelon
- Tinker Bell Scented Bubble Bath
The products that tested positive for formaldehyde include:
- American Girl Hopes and Dreams Shimmer Body Lotion
- American Girl Real Beauty Inside and Out Shower Gel--Apple Blossom (three samples)
- Baby Magic "Soft Baby Scent" Baby Lotion (three samples)
- Barbie Berry Sweet Bubble Bath
- CVS Baby Shampoo
- CVS Kids Body Wash--Blueberry Blast
- Dora the Explorer Bubble Bath
- Equate Tearless Baby Wash
- Grins & Giggles Milk & Honey Baby Wash
- Hot Wheels Berry Blast Bubble Bath
- Huggies Naturally Refreshing Cucumber & Green Tea Baby Wash
- Huggies Soft Skin--Shea Butter
- Johnson's Baby Shampoo (two samples)
- L'Oreal Kids Extra Gentle 2-in-1 Fast Dry Shampoo--Burst of Cool Melon
- Pampers Kandoo Foaming Handsoap--Magic Melon
- Sesame Street Bubble Bath--Orange Mango Tango
- Tinker Bell Body Lotion
- Tinker Bell Scented Bubble Bath
None of the baby bath products tested in the Campaign for Safe Cosmetics' new report list formaldehyde and 1,4-dioxane on their labels, since they're formed as manufacturing byproducts and aren't added intentionally. The group says consumers can look out for ingredients that are likely to contain either of the chemicals, though, including: peg-100 stearate, sodium laureth sulfate, polyethylene and ceteareth-20, quaternium-15, DMDM hydantoin, imidazolidinyl urea, diazolidinyl urea and sodium hydroxymethoylglycinate.
