The Story of Cosmetics Excellent short movie packed with life, health saving information to protect you and your children. Source: storyofstuff.org

Children's EPA was emailed the following action alert through the e-newsletter from CHEJ (Center for Health and Environmental Justice).  CHEJ was founded by Lois Gibbs who was responsible for establishing the Federal Super Fund clean up of toxic wastes as a result of her justice in for victims of Love Canal.  The momentum of today's environmental movement can be credited to Lois Gibbs and others who took enormous risks to make the world safer for us and our children. 

You can help support Safe Cosmetics Act 2011 by sharing Children's EPA blog and by emailing a letter to Congress using the simple link provided at Campaign for Safe Cosmetics.

Courtesy of CHEJ newsletter:

Safe Cosmetics Act in the House

On June 24^th, the Safe Cosmetics Act of 2011 was introduced in the House of Representatives. If passed this bill will give the FDA the authority to ensure that personal care products are free of harmful substances like lead, 1,4-dioxane and chemicals linked to cancer, reproductive and developmental issues.

Because federal safety regulations for cosmetics haven’t been updated since 1938, cosmetic companies can use virtually any ingredient, even toxic chemicals. The average American uses about 10 personal care products a day, including shampoo, toothpaste, lotion, aftershave, etc, and is therefore exposed to more than 100 of these potentially dangerous chemicals every day.

• Phase-out of ingredients linked to cancer, birth defects and developmental harm;
• Create a health-based safety standard that includes protections for children, the elderly, workers, and other vulnerable populations;
• Require full ingredient disclosure on product labels and company websites;
• Give workers access to information about unsafe chemicals in personal care products;
• Required data-sharing to avoid duplicate testing and encourage the development of alternatives to animal testing;
• Give adequate funding to the FDA Office of Cosmetics and Colors.