Beauty Out of Africa

Some Recommendations on How to avoid Exposure to BPA

The Washington Post Article listed the following ways to avoid exposure to BPA

• Look for BPA-free toys, baby bottles and containers.
• Reduce your use of canned food; eat fresh or frozen foods instead. Bisphenol A has been found in the lining of canned food tins.
• If you use hard polycarbonate plastics (Nalgene bottles, baby bottles, sippy cups), do not heat them or use them for warm or hot liquids. Heating plastics to high temperatures may promote the leaching of chemicals out of containers and into the food or liquid they hold. Freezing plastics poses no such risk.
• Instead of polycarbonate and PVC plastics, consider using alternatives such as polyethylene plastic -- also labeled as PETE or recycling code #1, #2 (HDPE) and #4 (LDPE). Polypropylene (recycling code #5, or PP) is also considered a safe choice. Recycling code #7 may mean the product contains BPA.
• Do not wash polycarbonate plastic containers in the dishwasher with harsh detergents.

Phthalate in Childrens Products

I googled Phthalates or DEP and was quite surprised that concerns about this chemical had been raised as far back as 1998 by the CPSC.

Phthalates are a class of chemicals commonly used in consumer products.  Phthalates have been found to cause a wide range of adverse health problems most disturbingly in reproductive system and sexual developmental abnormalities and have been classified as “probable human carcinogens.”

Children are especially more vulnerable to Phthalates exposure. One study has associated phthalates from hair care products and cosmetics with early puberty in Puerto Rican girls.

   

The CDC study of phthalates shows that Children can become exposed to Phthalates through items like infant feeding bottles, squeeze toys, changing mats, teethers. Children may take in higher than average amounts because many chew toys are made of highly phthalate-softened vinyl (for example, teethers). 

Further exposure comes from to Phthalates come from cosmetics and scented products such as perfumes, soaps, lotions and shampoos.  Phthalates are used to help lotions penetrate and soften the skin and help fragrances last longer.

Currently FDA does not require that manufaturers list the use of Phthalates on their products. The best safe guard especially when it comes to skin care products is to look for natural products or make your own from scratch.  Shea Radiance Natural and Organic Spa products are made from pure unrefined shea butter and other excellent natural ingredients. The do not contain any harmful additives or Phthalates