Are you concerned that a cosmetic product you’re using may actually be harmful to your health? If so, then you have some recourse. California officials have just launched a repository of information related to chemicals in cosmetics, and any persons who fear that they might be exposed to dangerous substances would be wise to check it out.
The effort is the result of 2005’s Safe Cosmetics Act, which paved the way for a public database to come online by the end of this past year (although it took a few more days than that to become available). Now, those interested can head to the California State Cosmetics Program Product Database to find out what chemicals are contained in products they have at home right now.
The database provides information on 30,000 products from 475 firms. In terms of disclosure, health officials are pointing out the presence of 900 chemicals that have the potential to inflict harm on a user, as suggested by the National Toxicology Program and other entities. To be subject to the rule, a company peddling its wares in California must accumulate sales of upwards of $1 million on an annual basis.
The one drawback of the database is that it puts safety in the hands of people using the products. A representative of the Breast Cancer Fund points out that the state may be better off with the chemicals not present in the first place.