Thursday, March 27, 2014

Bad word: Parabens

Parabens


Hazard Score: (EWG Risk Score)
Four - Seven

Hazard score key:

Low hazardModerate hazardHigh hazard
What is it?
Preservatives

They are listed on the label as methylparaben, butylparaben, ethylparaben, benzylparaben, isobutylparaben, and propylparaben.

Where is it found?
They are used in lotions, shampoos, conditioners, srubs, eye makeup and deodorants.

The Risk:
Endocrine disruption, developmental and reproductive toxicity, allergies and immunotoxicity
Endocrine disruption: Of greatest concern is that parabens are known to disrupt hormone function, an effect that is linked to increased risk of breast cancer and reproductive toxicity. Parabens mimic estrogen by binding to estrogen receptors on cells. They also increase the expression of genes usually regulated by estradiol (a natural form of estrogen); these genes cause human breast cancer cells to grow and multiply in cellular studies [9]. Parabens are also linked to cancer, reproductive toxicity, immunotoxicity, neurotoxicity and skin irritation [10]. Since parabens are used to kill bacteria in water-based solutions, they inherently have some toxicity to cells

A scary statistic: New research has detected the presence of paraben esters in 99 percent of breast cancer tissues sampled. In 60 percent of cases, all five esters were detected. Parabens are chemicals that have been shown to have estrogen-like properties, and estrogen is one of the hormones involved in the development of breast cancer


My Opinion:
Another chemical ingredient with many names, but all nasty little chemicals. They are also found in food preservatives as well. 

As always read your ingredients list and know that anything you are putting on your hair or skin, and anything you are ingesting will be absorbed into your skin and could be potentially hazardous. Especially with build up of these chemicals over the years.


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