The move comes after several years
of pressure from health and environmental groups. Chemicals to be removed
include formaldehyde, which is released from common preservatives, and
triclosan, a widely-used antibacterial ingredient. Phthalates, certain
fragrance ingredients, and some parabens will also be eliminated.
I have to admit to a bit of cynicism.
History shows that sometimes toxic ingredients are removed from products only
to be replaced with something that later proves to be equally problematic. I
also doubt that enough health-impacting ingredients will be removed to make
most of the products safe for those of us with serious chemical sensitivities.
Still, there is reason to be pleased
with the news. In a New York Times article
on the announcement, a Johnson and
Johnson official is quoted as saying that “there’s a very lively public
discussion going on about the safety of ingredients in personal care
products.” The fact that manufacturers
are beginning to hear and respond to the discussion is certainly positive.
Activists hope that other
manufacturers will follow Johnson and Johnson's lead. The Campaign for Safe
Cosmetics plans to continue to put pressure on other companies to do so. There
are more than 175 nonprofit groups represented in the coalition.
The work of advocates and activists
is important and welcomed, but none of us need to rely on them or wait for
manufacturers to make changes. We can value our health and the health of those
around us enough to make safer product choices now. Every purchase we make not
only impacts us in the present, but is a vote telling manufacturers what we
want to see on the shelves in the future. No one can force us to buy toxic
products. We get to choose what we buy and what we use. Every day we get to
make that choice and every day it has consequences. Let's choose wisely.
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