Q: I read in an email that antiperspirants cause breast cancer. Is this true? Are they really unsafe?
A: Antiperspirants have never been linked to breast cancer, but there is still a valid health concern regarding their use. Antiperspirants and deodorants are on a long list of ordinary consumer products that often contain phthalates. The law restricts these chemicals in the environment because they are recognized as an environmental pollutant. However, phthalates are not regulated in beauty or self care products and have never been reviewed or approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
Phthalate exposure could potentially contribute to several health problems, such as birth defects, premature female breast development, and reproductive tract abnormalities in men. Women of childbearing age are estimated to be at 20 times greater risk for phthalate exposure, due to their increased use of cosmetics and beauty products. Therefore, a mother’s exposure could put her fetus at risk for harmful developmental effects and other chronic health problems.
Unfortunately, no one really knows for sure how phthalates affect humans since it has not been fully investigated. It is also important to keep in mind that not all antiperspirants contain phthalates. However, until future research provides more answers about the effects of phthalates on humans, it is reasonable to question their long-term safety in antiperspirants and deodorants or any other consumer products that contain them.For more information about Phthalates on the Web:
The Environmental Working Group
http://www.ewg.org/pub/home/Reports/BeautySecrets/execsumm.html
