Are dangerous chemicals really a necessary ingredient in your personal care products?

Formaldehyde is a common chemical but a complicated issue.

I decided to take a conservative approach and choose formaldehyde-free personal care products.

What is it?

Low levels of formaldehyde are found in many consumer products, but high levels of exposure to the chemical are unsafe. Formaldehyde is a naturally occurring chemical that nearly every living animal and plant produces at various levels throughout their life. It is a component of many popular consumer items.

Consumer products that contain low levels of formaldehyde include:

• cosmetics

• shampoos and conditioners

• shower gels

• liquid hand soap

• cream cleansers

• skin moisturisers

• toothpastes

• nail hardeners

• fingernail polish

• cleaning products

Professional keratin hair smoothing treatments can contain formaldehyde or formaldehyde-releasing chemicals. Using these in a non-ventilated environment can raise indoor air concentrations of formaldehyde to levels that could be a potential hazard.

In 2014 Optometry Australia reported that members were seeing an increasing number of patients with injuries to the eyelid associated with the use of eyelash glue. The ACCC receives a significant number of reports of injuries associated with cosmetics each year and potential damage to the eye area is particularly concerning.

What are the risks?

High levels of exposure to formaldehyde, particularly in cosmetic products, can cause:

• irritation of the eyes, nose and skin

• breathing difficulties

• asthma

• cancer, in circumstances where there is chronic high exposure.

Exposure to formaldehyde through the use of cosmetics is a recognized hazard and regulations to manage the risks arising from formaldehyde exposure exist in many countries, including Australia.

Exposure to formaldehyde in high concentrations has been shown to cause cancer in laboratory test animals. Exposure to relatively high amounts of formaldehyde in medical and occupational settings has been linked to some types of cancer in humans, including carcinoma and leukemia but the effect of exposure to small amounts is less clear.

High concentrations are generally found in work environments, although it is reported that imported kitchens and furniture can contain high levels of formaldehyde from chipboard and glues. Australian made joinery and furniture from regulated European countries does not carry this risk.

The amount of formaldehyde in products in Australia is regulated, however, they do not appear to be any definitive studies of long-term exposure to “safe” amounts of this chemical.

A big hug, 'til next time,

Cheryl

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The above information is drawn from Australian and US government consumer advice.