Breast Cancer Action Montreal is concerned about toxic chemicals in cosmetic products.  We believe that there is significant scientific data illustrating a correlation between the increasing rates of breast cancer and the proliferation of synthetic chemicals in the years following World War II -  most of which have not been tested for human and environmental safety. Many of these chemicals are currently being used in cosmetic products.

The average North American uses 12 different cosmetic products daily exposing them to over 126 different chemical components. Many such chemicals can be detected in the blood stream of the young and old, and even the umbilical chords of newborns. We believe that the studies demonstrating that chemical exposures have lifelong impacts on breast tissue development during prenatal periods through adolescence is evidence enough to demand better regulations of the chemicals used in the products we use on our bodies! Since November 16, 2006, cosmetic companies are required by law to list ingredients on labels. Despite the new labeling laws, Health Canada continues to allow toxic chemical ingredients in cosmetics, and for most people, the new ingredient labels do not make screening products for toxins any easier.

In order to provide accurate and unbiased information on the scientific data and to provide a platform for demanding political and regulatory changes, BCAM has developed our own Campaign for Safe Cosmetics and a youth project, FemmeToxic.

In an attempt to have this message reach our wider communities BCAM has developed a presentation entitled "The Beast of Beauty: Toxic Ingredients in Cosmetics." This is a presentation about safe cosmetics, labelling, and the right to know. If you or your community group, school or workplace are interested in learning more, contact us to arrange a workshop. We also have numerous resources below and ways for you to get involved and informed about safe cosmetics.

BCAM is asking Health Canada to:

• Prohibit the use of any chemicals that are inherently carcinogenic, mutagenic or a reproductive toxin (CMRs) in cosmetics sold in Canada. This is the Precautionary Approach taken within the European Union and Canada should at least have the same standards.

• Mandate that cosmetic companies supply full and complete safety data tests for all chemical ingredients and nanoparticles used in their formulations. Currently ingredients in cosmetics are not reviewed for safety before they are put on the shelves. Companies are only required to send an ingredient list to Health Canada ten days after the product goes on the market.

• Mandate that producers supply full environmental and health data on each chemical used in their formulations to Health Canada. Currently most chemicals lack comprehensive testing information.

In the interim, prior to stronger legislation that would ban CMRs, full disclosure should be required for these chemicals on the product label.  The presence of nanoparticles, increasingly used in anti-wrinkle creams and sunscreens should be indicated as well.

Resources

BCAM has created a reference guide called the Toxic Twenty. In this list, we have identified the chemicals we feel are most worrisome and should be avoided as much as possible.

The Health and Environment Awareness Project, a joint project of BCAM and the McGill Centre for Research and Teaching on Women, developed the following resources:

The Beast of Beauty: Toxic Ingredients in Cosmetics
Breast Cancer Myth Busters
The Dirt on Cleaners: Toxic Ingredients in Cleaning Products
Pollution Gets Personal: Toxic Pollution and Cancer in Canada

The Campaign for Safe Cosmetics (CSC) in partnership with Environmental Defence (ED) just released a report on a study of the health risks of fragrance: "Not So Sexy: The Health Risks of Secret Chemicals in Fragrance." Read their press releases (CSC; ED) and sign the petitions (CSC; ED).

"The Story of Cosmetics", a film narrated by Annie Leonard, examines the pervasive use of toxic chemicals in our everyday personal care products, from lipstick to baby shampoo. Produced with Free Range Studios, the seven-minute film by The Story of Stuff Project reveals the implications for consumer and worker health and the environment, and outlines ways we can move the industry away from hazardous chemicals and towards safer alternatives.

BCAM's Former Executive Administrator, Janice Melanson, wrote a piece in Prevent Cancer Now about how The Story of Cosmetics relates to Canadian chemical management policy. Read it here:  "The story of Cosmetics - What's Canada's Story?"

You can check the safety of your cosmetics at Skin Deep.

Read more about environmental estrogens  and see the Questions and Answers section of our site. You can also research Canadian companies that have signed the Compact for Safe Cosmetics. 

BCAM has a blog. Read it for updates, and resources.  We also accept submissions!

BCAM has had State of the Evidence 2008 translated into French. Read the 2010 report in English or the 2008 report in French and view photographs of the launch.