By Gilbert Ross, M.D.
Posted: Tuesday, September 30, 2008

LETTER
Publication Date: September 30, 2008

This letter first appeared on September 30, 2008 in USA Today:

USA Today's article "Consumer groups fret over chemicals in teen cosmetics" called undue attention to yet another study by an activist group devoted to finding hazards in consumer products, especially cosmetics (USAToday.com, Wednesday).

This new report rehashes the group's tired mantra, that the mere detection of some chemical in our bodies necessarily indicates toxicity. This is patently false, as any reputable toxicologist will attest.

The minuscule amounts of these chemicals could not possibly cause harm. Studies incriminating such chemicals have come from rodent experiments at much higher exposures than humans have, with no relevance to human health.

These chemicals have passed the test of time, as well as other evaluations done by expert panels evaluating their real health risks. Despite these alarms raised about chemicals, our health and longevity continue to improve, and cancer death rates are declining.

It is a disservice to publicize scares such as this one about cosmetics.

Gilbert Ross, M.D.
Medical Director
American Council on Science and Health
New York

See also: the ACSH brochure Health Claims Against Cosmetics: How Do They Look in the Light?