Gender & Ethnic Based Personal Care Products
Say what? Dioxins, furans and pesticides in my feminine care products?
Marketers are misleading women about the toxic consequences of feminine care products, like tampons and feminine wipes. Test results show dioxins, furans and pesticide residues in tampons, which have been linked to cancer, reproductive harm, and hormone disruption.
They claim that women will feel better, fresher (and sexier) by using pre-moistened wipes. Through claims of “freshness,” “confident clean” and yes, even “odor control,” wipes are being advertised as the better option for the health and happiness of women. But the truth is, wipes may be doing you (and the planet) more harm than good. They especially target their ads at women of color.
WE ACT has partnered with Women’s Voices for the Earth, and many organizations, for the Detox the Box Campaign to raise awareness about toxicity in gender-based personal care products. Download a factsheet (English and Spanish), infographic (English and Spanish), or visit womensvoices.org to learn more.
Tenya Steele, Director of Environmental Health
Why do I do the work I do? As an African-American female from an underserved community in Brooklyn, I recognize how vital it is to address the injustices with environmental exposures and the poor health outcomes faced by communities of color, especially in beauty products.
Ethnic Personal Care Products Research
Hair products containing hormones have been linked to very early puberty in African American children. Health effects related to hair care products include asthma, skin irritations, headaches, tumors, teeth and gum pain.
Source: Boston Globe
WE ACT for Environmental Justice collaborated with students from the Touro School of Pharmacy to study ethnic personal care products in Northern Manhattan.
The project had three methods:
- mapping local beauty salons, supply shops, and non beauty related stores where ethnic products were sold,
- identifying products with ingredients of concern, and
- creating a survey to gather information on product usage and awareness of risks.
The presence of ethnic personal care products sold in pharmacies, discount chains, and corner stores in Northern Manhattan revealed more than 600 non-beauty related points of source in addition to the 348 beauty salons, supply stores, and hair braiding shops in the area. Survey implementation at community events also allowed for data collection on the frequency of product usage and community awareness of associated health risks.
Given the prevalence of ethnic personal care products sold in Northern Manhattan stores and use among residents, WE ACT has advocated for policies that will better protect consumers against potentially harmful ingredients in personal products.
What steps can I take to use ethnic personal care products safely?
- Follow the directions found in the packaging, pay attention to all “Caution” and “Warning” statements
- Wear gloves when applying dyes and relaxers
- Don’t leave product on longer than directions indicate
- Rinse scalp thoroughly with water after use of hair product
- Do not dye eyelashes or eyebrows