[Pharmwaste] P&G halts use of 2 chemicals ( phthalates and triclosan ) in personal care products

DeBiasi, Deborah (DEQ) Deborah.DeBiasi at deq.virginia.gov
Thu Sep 12 12:14:17 EDT 2013


http://cin.ci/19sRqx3

P&G halts use of 2 chemicals in personal care products
ENQUIRER EXCLUSIVE
Sep. 7, 2013

Procter & Gamble is phasing out the use of two chemicals by 2014 from its beauty and personal care products.

Activist groups have targeted P&G and other manufacturers of consumer products to end the use of phthalates and triclosan, chemicals that advocates say have been linked to birth defects and infertility.

"We made a strategic choice to exit the use of these two ingredients for a couple of reasons, including feedback from some of the people who use our products," said Dr. Scott Heid, a company spokesman.

The company recently updated its timetable for discontinuing the chemicals' use on its web site.

The company says the chemicals are safe and approved by regulators.

P&G says it will stop use of diethyl phthalate (DEP), the only phthalate it still uses. The chemical evaporates slowly and helps scents and colors last longer in products such as soap and shampoo.

Other types of phthalates called DBP and DEHP have been banned by the European Union and dropped by consumer product companies.

The consumer products giant also says it will stop using triclosan, an ingredient that slows or stops the growth of germs such as bacteria and mildew. P&G uses the antibacterial chemical in some of its dish soap, professional hand soap and other personal care products.

Advocates cheered the move and urged other consumer product companies to follow P&G's example.

"The Campaign for Safe Cosmetics congratulates P&G for taking bold and globally significant action to protect the health of its 4.8 billion consumers," said Janet Nudelman, program director at the Breast Cancer Fund and co-founder of the Campaign for Safe Cosmetics.

"This is one of the most significant steps taken by a major market player to remove harmful chemicals in common consumer products," said Andy Igrejas, executive director of Safer Chemicals, Healthy Families. ■



Deborah L. DeBiasi
Email:   Deborah.DeBiasi at deq.virginia.gov
WEB site address:  www.deq.virginia.gov<http://www.deq.virginia.gov/>
Virginia Department of Environmental Quality
Office of Water Permits
Industrial Pretreatment/Whole Effluent Toxicity (WET) Program
PPCPs, EDCs, and Microconstituents
http://www.deq.virginia.gov/Programs/Water/PermittingCompliance/PollutionDischargeElimination/Microconstituents.aspx
Mail:          P.O. Box 1105, Richmond, VA  23218
Location:  629 E. Main Street, Richmond, VA  23219
PH:         804-698-4028      FAX:      804-698-4032

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