Addressing Toxic Chemicals in Cosmetics: The Safer Beauty Bill Package
New federal legislation, the “Safer Beauty Bill Package”, is taking a stand against toxic ingredients prevalent in everyday cosmetics. This bill aims to establish special protections for women of color and salon workers, who are disproportionately exposed to harmful chemicals.
The average American adult uses approximately 12 personal care products daily. This results in exposure to an average of 168 chemicals, as reported by Consumer Reports. The list of these chemicals can include:
- Formaldehyde
- Mercury
- Asbestos
- Lead
- Parabens
These substances have been linked to severe health issues such as cancer, brain damage, and reproductive harm. Women of color are believed to use twice as many products as other demographics, making them particularly vulnerable to chemical exposure.
The Safer Beauty Bill Package specifically addresses this disparity. It also aims to protect salon workers who face daily exposure to these harmful substances. Currently, personal care, salon, and beauty products sold across the US are subject to minimal federal oversight. This results in many products containing ingredients that are banned in other countries.
Source: MPR News