IT LISTED 52 different products that contain phthalates (pronounced tha-lates) — chemicals that are used to soften plastics. Only one of the products listed phthalates on the label.
       Although there is no evidence showing that phthalates are harmful to humans, the group argues that they should be removed from cosmetics until they can be shown to be safe.
       
ANIMAL STUDIES
       Health Care Without Harm, a coalition of health, religious, labor and environmental groups, has been lobbying against phthalates for years. It cites tests that show the chemicals can cause defects in animals, most often abnormalities of the male reproductive organs.
       The group, along with Coming Clean and Environmental Working Group, commissioned a lab to test 72 different products, including body lotion, nail polish and deodorant, for phthalates, and said 52 of them contained the chemical.
       These products are marketed to women of reproductive age, they said, and could potentially hurt their babies — both developing fetuses and nursing infants.
       

|  1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 Contains phthalates No detected phthalates DEODORANT Arrid Extra Extra Dry Maximum Strength Solid Certain Dri Anti-Perspirant Roll-On Arrid Extra Extra Dry Ultra Clear Ultra Clean Spray Dove Powder Anti-Perspirant Deodorant Arrid Extra Extra Dry Ultra Clear Ultra Fresh Spray Lady Speed Stick Soft Solid Anti-Perspirant Ban Delicate Powder Roll On Secret Anti-Perspirant & Deodorant Platinum Protection Ambition Scent Degree Original Solid Anti-Perspirant & Deodorant Soft & Dri Anti-Perspirant Deodorant Clear Gel Dove Solid Anti-Perspirant Deodorant   Secret Sheer Dry Regular   Secret: Powder Fresh Aerosol    |  1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 Contains phthalates No detected phthalates FRAGRANCE Calgon Hawaiian Ginger Body Mist   Calgon Turquoise Seas Body Lotion   Charlie Cologne Spray   Escape by Calvin Klein   Eternity by Calvin Klein   Fire & Ice Cologne Spray   Freedom   Jovan White Musk    |  1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 Contains phthalates No detected phthalates FRAGRANCE Lancome Paris Tresor   Liz Claiborne Eau De Toilette Spray   Oscar   Parfums de Coeur White Tahitian Ginger Fantasy   Poison by Christian Dior   Red Door   The Healing Garden Pure Joy Body Treatment   White Diamonds Elizabeth Taylor    |  1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 Contains phthalates No detected phthalates FRAGRANCE Wind Song Extraordinary Cologne by Prince Matchabelli   HAIR GEL Clairol Herbal Essences Natural Volume Body Boosting Gel Physique Extra Control Structuring Gel Dep Level 4 Shine Gel   LA Looks Styling Gel: Extra Super Hold   Suave Naturals Ocean Breeze Extra Control Spray Gel   TRESemme European Slick Melting Gel   Pantene Pro V Spray Gel Volumizing Root Lifter    |  1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 Contains phthalates No detected phthalates HAIR MOUSSE Aussie Megahold Mousse Finesse Touchables Silk Protein Enriched Mousse Clairol Herbal Essences Styling Mousse Maximum Hold Helene Curtis Thermasilk Heat Activated Mousse for Fine/Thin Hair Helene Curtis Salon Selectives Rise Up Volumizing Mousse L'Oreal Paris Studio Line: Springing Curls Mousse Pantene Pro V Mousse Body Builder   HAIR SPRAY Aqua Net Professional Hair Spray Aussie Mega Styling Spray Herbal Essences Non Aerosol Hairspray Helene Curtis Finesse Touchables Silk Protein Enriched Jheri Redding Finishers Flexible Hold Hairspray Helene Curtis Thermasilk Heat Activated Firm Hairspray  |  1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 Contains phthalates No detected phthalates HAIR SPRAY Pantene Pro V Strong Hold Spray Suave Naturals Aloe Vera Extra Hold Hairspray Pantene Pro V Stronghold Healthy Hold Spray   Rave 4x Mega   Redken Cat Finishing Spritz   Salon Selectives Hold Tight Style Freeze Maximum Hold   Finishing Spray   Sebastian Collection Shaper Plus   Suave Maximum Hold Hairspray Unscented, non-aerosol    |  1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 Contains phthalates No detected phthalates HAIR SPRAY Suave Naturals Extra Flexible Hold Non Aerosol Hairspray   Freesia   TRESemme European Freeze-Hold Hair Spray   VO5 Crystal Clear 14 Hour Hold   Vidal Sassoon Microfine Mist Hair Spray, Aerosol   HAND AND BODY LOTION Jergens Skincare Original Scent Lotion Curel Soothing Hands Moisturizing Hand Lotion Nivea Crème Eucerin Dry Skin Therapy Original Moisturizing Lotion  |  1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 Contains phthalates No detected phthalates HAND AND BODY LOTION Lubriderm Skin Therapy Moisturizing Lotion   Neutrogena Hand Cream   Suave Naturals Sun Ripened Moisturizing Body Lotion   Vaseline Intensive Care Advanced Healing   Vaseline Intensive Care Dry Skin Lotion   NAIL POLISH* Avon beComing Radiant Long Last Nail Gloss Kiss Colors Nail Polish Cover Girl NailSlicks L'Oreal Jet Set Nail Enamel  |  1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 Contains phthalates No detected phthalates NAIL POLISH* Maybelline Express Finish Fast-Dry Nail Enamel L'Oreal Jet-Set Quick Dry Nail Enamel Maybelline Ultimate Wear Nail Enamel Maybelline Shades of Your Nail Color Naturistics Super Shine Nail Gloss Naturistics 90 Second Dry! Super Fast Nail Color Oil of Olay Nail Laquer Revlon Nail Enamel OPI Nail Laquer Revlon Super Top Speed Orly Salon Nails French Manicure Urban Decay Orly Salon Nails Nail Color   Sally Hansen Chrome Nail Makeup    |  1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 Contains phthalates No detected phthalates NAIL POLISH* Sally Hansen Hard as Nails Nail Polish   Sally Hansen Hard as Nails With Nylon Nail Polish   Sally Hansen Teflon Tuff Nail Color   Tropez Nail Enamel   Wet N Wild Crystalic Calcium Enriched Nail Color   Wet N Wild Nail Color

Source: Environmental Working Group compilation of product testing results from Stat Analysis Corporation, Chicago, Illinois. *All results shown reflect data from laboratory chemical analysis except results for nail polish, which stem from an EWG analysis of nail polish ingredient labels and nail polish patent records

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       “Chemicals that can damage the development and future fertility of babies don’t belong in products marketed to women,” the group’s Bryony Schwan told reporters.

       “Phthalate-free products that perform as well are on the market for virtually every single phthalate-containing product.”
       The American Chemistry Council denied the use of chemicals in cosmetics can hurt people.
       “Phthalates are among the most widely studied materials in the world and have been researched and tested for more than 50 years,” a council statement on phthalates said.
       The Cosmetic, Toiletry and Fragrance Association said in a statement, “The use of phthalates in cosmetics and personal care products is supported by an extensive body of scientific research and data that confirms safety.”
       
CDC FINDINGS
       In a large-scale survey of just what chemicals can be found in people’s blood, the CDC found surprisingly high levels of phthalates, although not enough to cause immediate concern.
       

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“The only thing of concern that came up was this CDC report showing that women of child-bearing age had higher levels of dibutyl phthalates in their blood,” a spokesman for the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, or FDA, said in a telephone interview. The official asked not to be named.
       “The problem is the study didn’t say where they came from and the use of phthalates is ubiquitous,” the official said.
       Last September, the FDA determined most patients do not seem to be at risk from phthalates in IV tubing and other medical equipment, with the possible exception of children undergoing medical procedures such as blood transfusions.

MONDAY ON TV: •  The American Debate: Are your kids being force-fed religion? Are public schools forcing God on your children? It's a clash of the titans when Donahue debates right-wing firebrand Pat Buchanan. Don't miss the premiere of DONAHUE, Monday at 8 p.m. ET on MSNBC.

       
       
       © 2002 Reuters Limited. All rights reserved. Republication or redistribution of Reuters content is expressly prohibited without the prior written consent of Reuters.
       

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