January 2008 Issue

Beyond “Skin Deep”
A closer look at what we’re putting on our skin

Let’s start with this – the FDA does not require companies that manufacture cosmetics and skin care products to test for safety. According to the Environmental Working Group (EWG), the federal government cannot “mandate safety studies of cosmetics products or their ingredients, and only 13 percent of the 10,500 ingredients in personal care products have been reviewed for safety by the cosmetic industry’s own review panel.” Source: Environmental Working Group

That means every time you put on makeup, sunscreen or take a bubble bath you’re applying what may be an untested cocktail of chemicals to your skin. Or to your children’s skin.

Enter Skin Deep, from EWG (for more information on EWG, see below). Their database of roughly 27,000 products gives you some measure of control over what you’re using. Here you will find products ranked on a number scale of 0 to 10, with 0 being the lowest hazard. Products are evaluated for known and suspected hazards. You can see a breakdown of ingredients for each product, possible hazards associated with them and the many “data gaps” that exist when extensive industry or government testing has not been done.

I try to visit the Skin Deep database whenever I need to replace something that I’ve been using. For instance, last week I ran out of liquid hand soap. I meant to check the database before shopping, but I didn’t, so I grabbed some produced by Method under the assumption that it would rank relatively low on the hazard scale. It actually comes in at an overall “5”, which is disappointing. In the ingredient list for this particular product I can see that the highest hazard concern is for the fragrance, which scores an “8”. I’ll use this bottle up but try again when it’s time to replace it. I’ve also used this tool to search for deodorant, as well as some cosmetics. But again, it takes some planning. Right now I’m trying Kiss My Face deodorant (which might be more information than anyone wanted to know). It earns a relatively low hazard rating, but I can’t get that at my nearby grocery so I have to stock up on this stuff during visits to our local health food store. But I have seen more commonly available brands, like a CVS branded deodorant and one type of Sure (Sure Invisible Solid) with low hazard ratings as well. So keep looking!

I like this database because it gives me a bit more knowledge about what I’m buying and using. I’ve found that my favorite products have not fared well in the rankings, and that oftentimes the products that rate as the lowest hazards are more expensive or harder to get (mail order/internet, or only available through smaller retail chains). But, it’s still a good exercise in consumer awareness.


Environmental Working Group (EWG)
It seems like I hear representatives from EWG quoted in the news with much more frequency than in the past, but it could be simply because I’m aware of them now. Founded in 1993, EWG is a public interest and advocacy organization. Their stated mission is to use public information to protect public health and the environment. Rated a four star charity by Charity Navigator, they provide resources like Skin Deep and the Shopper’s Guide to Pesticides in Produce and work to “replace federal policies…with policies that invest in conservation and sustainable development.” (source: EWG). From the home page, you can access their research and positions on a broad sweep of topics including health and toxins, the Farm Subsidy Database and energy policy. For a really interesting read, spend about 5-7 minutes reviewing Ken Cook’s October 2007 testimony on nuclear waste transportation before the Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works.



Resources and Digging Deeper
· A few places where EWG has been in the news:
Washington Times on farm subsidies (December 2007)
The New York Times on nanoparticles in sunscreen (August 2007)

· Sign up for regular updates from EWG through their monthly newsletter or EWG feeds.
· Read why this matters at the EWG site.
· For a contrarian view, see the site ActivistCash.com for their take on EWG.

One More Time…
Revisiting Past Topics

The blog has been pretty quiet lately, with the holidays and life happening. But one topic from a prior newsletter that keeps resurfacing in local news is, of course, water.
For anyone thinking about ways to get the most out of the wet stuff that used to fall from the sky (also known as rain), the Charlotte Mecklenburg Soil & Water Conservation District has information on rain barrel sales available on their website. Prices range from $85 to $100 and the deadline for orders (for January pickup) is January 14, 2008.
Also, since we talked about a Whole Foods Market opening up in the area in a past newsletter, I’ll pass along this update from the Charlotte Observer: “Whole Foods has abandoned plans for an Elizabeth Store; the SouthPark location is still on track, but there isn’t an opening date.” (Rainey, Amy. “Status Report: A Look at 20 Projects”. Charlotte Observer. 23 December 2007)


About Us:
Green Around The Edges – Charlotte is produced monthly. Co-editors: Kathleen Huddleston and Kimberly Paulk. Contact us at: kpaulk@carolina.rr.com.