A health advocacy group found out that more than half the baby shampoo, lotion and other infant care products contain traces of cancer-causing chemicals. 

 

Products marketed by big names such as Johnson & Johnson are on the black list. Baby shampoo and lotion were proved to contain cancer-causing chemicals, according to the nonprofit Campaign for Safe Cosmetics reported.

 

The two chemicals are 1,4-dioxane and formaldehyde and were described by the EPA as probable carcinogens. The advocacy group tested 48 baby care products and found out that 32 of those contained trace amounts of 1,4-dioxane and 23 contained small amounts of formaldehyde. The tests were performed by Analytical Sciences, an independent laboratory in Petaluma, Calif.

 

“Products that claim to be gentle and pure are contaminated with carcinogens, which is completely unnecessary," said Stacy Malkan, a spokeswoman for the Campaign for Safe Cosmetics.

 

The Campaign for Safe Cosmetics was organized by a coalition that included the Breast Cancer Fund and the Environmental Working Group. Countries like Japan and Sweden have banned the use of formaldehyde, a chemical that can cause allergy in sensitive people, in personal care products. 

 

On the other hand, Johnson & Johnson spokeswoman, Iris Grossman, said the products are safe and meet all the regulations. 

 

Personal Care Products Council chief scientist John Bailey said that the findings of this study aren’t new at all. Producers of baby care products have been aware of this for years and have reduced the levels of the aforementioned chemicals in the mean time. Mr. Bailey said there is no need to further reduce the levels of the chemicals because there is no scientific evidence that the low levels pose any risk to the baby’s health. 

 

"The FDA and other government agencies around the world consider these trace levels safe, and all our products meet or exceed the regulatory requirements in every country where they are sold," Johnson & Johnson said in a statement.