Health products giant, Johnson and Johnson (J&J), has been asked in a letter signed by nearly 50 groups, including the American Nurses Association, to remove tiny amounts of 1,4-dioxane along with preservatives that release formaldehyde from the popular J&J Baby Shampoo and other products. Sent to J&J's chief executive, the Campaign for Safe Cosmetics asked the company to reformulate products by the end of August 2009 to remove these 2 chemicals suspected of causing cancer. A J&J spokesman, Bill Price, responded by saying, "The trace levels of certain compounds that were noted by the Campaign for Safe Cosmetics can result from processes that make our products gentle for babies and safe from bacteria growth. Many regulatory agencies around the world consider these trace levels safe." Price said that there are no immediate plans to remove the 2 ingredients.
Banned by the European Union, 1,4-dioxane is viewed by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency as a probable human carcinogen. Analytical Sciences of Petaluma, CA (an independent laboratory commissioned by the Campaign) found that J&J Baby Shampoo contained 210 parts per million of formaldehyde. Testing of 48 products revealed 2 dozen other products also contained similar or higher levels of formaldehyde. Three Aveeno baby wash products, Johnson's moisture care and oatmeal baby washes, and about 25 baby products and personal care products made by other companies contained 1,4-dioxane. Even though the amounts in question are small, Dr. Sidney Wolfe (acting director of the consumer group Public Citizen) said, "Generally with carcinogens, there isn't any safe level." We, along with our nursing students need to make our concerns heard. Safety for infants is certainly a priority for nurses, nursing faculty and nursing students. Nurses, acting as a part of a larger group will have an impact on this safety issue.
Source: Johnson LA. Consumer group pushes J&J on chemicals in shampoo. Associated press, May 25, 2009. Available athttp://www.forbes.com/feeds/ap/2009/05/25/ap6462058.html. Accessed May 27, 2009.