Toxic-Free Cosmetics Act Fails to Pass Out of Assembly Health Committee

Media Contacts

CALPIRG

Statement by Laura Deehan, Public Health Advocate for CALPIRG: 

“Today the Assembly missed a huge opportunity to protect public health by banning known toxic chemicals from our beauty and personal care products. 

Known toxic chemicals like mercury and formaldehyde have no place in products we put on our face or rub into our skin on a daily basis. 

But for too long, the cosmetics industry has sold products to all of us that contain ingredients known to cause cancer and infertility, and current laws fail to adequately protect public health. Even when testing done by the FDA found high levels of asbestos in certain powdery makeup marketed to young women, they had no authority to recall those products. 

The Toxic Free Cosmetics Act (AB 495) was a strong first step towards protecting the health of Californians by banning the use of 13 ingredients known to cause harm. We hope the legislature remains committed to addressing the very real public health concerns that this bill intended to address. California consumers should have assurance that the ingredients in our beauty products are safe for our bodies.” 

 

 

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