Carcinogenic Personal Care Products: Toxic Toothpaste

The multi-million dollar awards against Johnson & Johnson in regards to talc have caused many of us to take a longer, harder look at the cosmetics industry. In our research, we came across a report by the Cornucopia Institute, a public interest group that started out looking into farm policies. But after 11 years, what started as a passion for organic products led to one of the more incriminating pieces of research we have seen about the cosmetics industry.

The focus of that report? Toothpaste – the one cosmetic used universally by men and women around the country on a daily basis. A personal care product that we have been told all of our lives is not only safe, but should be used up to 3x a day. One of the first things we do as parents is teach our children to brush their teeth; as it turns out, that act might be causing more harm than good.

Their research has led to some potentially devastating findings. For example:

• “The American Dental Association is heavily subsidized by the cosmetic industry, creating a conflict of interest. Its seal does not guarantee the safety of toothpastes, or other oral products, or the quality of the ingredients in these products.
• Many ingredients in toothpastes are synthetics derived from petroleum or from heavily processed and synthesized natural ingredients, which, in their final formulation, are not remotely related to the natural parent compound (e.g. coconut oil), and some may become potentially toxic.
• Some toothpastes may contain contaminated ingredients. In addition, toxic compounds may be formed by the interaction of ingredients under certain conditions or may be released slowly over time.
• Toothpastes specifically targeted to children often contain artificial colors (food dyes), which have been linked to hyperactivity and related behavioral problems in children. Some of which also pose a risk of cancer and allergic reactions.”

The report contains a full list of dangerous chemical compounds, as well as the side effects and risks associated with using them. We encourage you to read it in full.

The law favors the companies, not consumers

The Food & Drug Administration is powerless to do anything about toxic toothpaste chemicals and additives because they lack the authority to regulate cosmetics. Add that to the fact that the average toothpaste user can barely read the long list of chemicals in the product, let alone determine what those chemicals actually are, and consumers are at a greater risk of ingesting dangerous compounds.

So how do they get around it? After all, the laws do require that manufacturers tell the truth about what is in their products by putting it on the labels. The answer has to do with trade secrets – in, a company can claim that its exact formulas are trade secrets, and thus are protected under the law from revealing what, exactly, is in their products. When you see the words “flavor” or “fragrance” on a list of ingredients, you have no way of finding out what those chemicals are, or whether or not they can make you sick.

Your rights as an injured consumer

The laws may not be on your side –but McGowan, Hood, Felder & Phillips, LLC is. The FDA may not be able to regulate cosmetics, but that does not mean that companies producing dangerous or toxic products are not responsible for the repercussions of those products. Our South Carolina mass tort attorneys routinely handle complex cases involving defective products. We know how to hold a company accountable when it lies about what is on its label, or fails to warn consumers about potential dangers.

If your cosmetics are getting you sick, you do have legal options available to you. At McGowan, Hood, Felder & Phillips, LLC, we fight for justice for our clients, and to ensure the manufacturers, distributors and retailers of toxic products cannot hurt anyone else. If you or your loved one has suffered injury or illness as a result of a reaction to a dangerous chemical in one of your grooming products, we may be able to help. Please call 803-327-7800 or use our contact form to schedule your free consultation with an experienced South Carolina defective products lawyer today.