Federal Public Health Official Role in Improving Cosmetic Safety

The National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS) reports that the Federal government has documented over 10,500 ingredients in cosmetic products (e.g., skin moisturizers, shampoos, perfumes, eye and facial makeup preparations, toothpastes, deodorants, etc.), yet only a small percentage of those chemicals have been tested for safety. Some of the tested chemicals have been identified as causes of cancer, birth defects, and damage to one's ability to reproduce (EHP, 2006, p. 5). The Environmental Work Group, Campaign for Safe Cosmetics and similar non-profit coalitions have campaigned for consumer protection against the dangerous chemicals found in cosmetics. These organizations conduct research and/or advocate for safe products, and inform the general public of the possible harmful effects of chemicals. They seek local, state and national support from corporations, federal regulatory agencies and the legislative bodies of government to implement changes that would require manufacturers to disclose chemicals used in cosmetic products, use safe alternative ingredients, and to reduce the overall exposure of harmful chemicals to consumers. Research studies have found harmful chemicals in the blood, urine and breast tumor tissue of study participants, but the research has not produced conclusive evidence (1) of the source of the chemicals; (2) that the bioaccumulation of the chemicals has caused or will cause short-term or long-term harmful effects; or (3) that the chemicals directly cause cancer, birth defects, and other adverse health effects. The inconclusiveness of the research has led to ongoing controversy surrounding the safety of cosmetics. The Food and Drug Administration's (FDA) has oversight authority for cosmetic safety, yet its current legal authority is narrow and does not provide the oversight needed to mitigate the continual uncertainty related to cosmetic safety. FDA has no pre-market authority for cosmetic products, ingredients or labeling, with the exception of color additives. They assert that authorizing additional oversight would require legislative changes as well as additional fiscal and other resources. This paper argues the need for increased oversight and enforcement authority for the FDA, through statutory and regulatory changes, to ensure that cosmetics and personal care products are safe before they reach the shelves of wholesale and retail distributors. FDA must increase research efforts to determine the extent to which the ingredients in cosmetics contribute to adverse health effects. A literature review revealed that the FDA has no authority to require manufacturers to report ingredients used in cosmetic products. This serious limitation of FDA's oversight authority adds to the current debate and controversy surrounding three particular ingredients: phthalates, parabens and polycylic musks. The concerns surrounding these three chemicals and others is so great, that two states, California and Washington have adopted legislation that provides their legislatures broader oversight authority as a means to improve safety of cosmetics and personal care products for their citizens.Master of Public Healt