Friends of the Earth US has been working with Friends of the Earth Australia and other organizations on the issue of nanotechnology in cosmetics, sunscreens and personal care products. We have produced a report outlining nanotechnology uses in cosmetics and personal care products and a nano sunscreens consumer guide. We also worked with the International Center for Technology Assessment (ICTA) in delivering a legal petition calling for the Food and Drug Administration to adopt sensible principles for testing the safety of nanoparticles in these products.
For a quick read on nano cosmetics and sunscreens, check out our new fact sheet.
Manufactured Nanomaterials and Sunscreens: Top Reasons for PrecautionFriends of the Earth teamed up with Consumers Union (CU) and the International Center for Technology Assessment (ICTA) to compile the latest info about nanomaterials in sunscreens and their potential hazards. When you look at the data, it's clear that sunscreens containing nanomaterials are not worth the risk.
Read coverage of our nano-sunscreens report in the New York Times
Sun worshippers beware. While using sunscreen to block dangerous UV rays, you may be exposing yourself to a new danger. Sunscreen manufacturers are adding nanoparticles to sunscreens to make sun-blocking ingredients like titanium dioxide and zinc oxide rub on clear instead of white. These nanoparticles are being added without appropriate labeling or reliable safety information—and they pose potential threats to human health.
Consumer Reports has found that the personal care company, Aubrey Organics, has provided incorrect information about its nano content in sunscreens. Unfortunately, we had to remove Aubrey Organics from our no-nano list. You can read about the results of the testing here. The Consumer Union also sent a letter to the FDA, using the results of their independent test to call on the FDA for a full safety assessment of all nanoparticles used in personal care products.
Nanomaterials, Sunscreens and Cosmetics: Small Ingredients, Big RisksIn one of the most dramatic failures of regulation since the introduction of asbestos, corporations around the world are rapidly introducing thousands of tons of nanomaterials into the environment and onto the faces and hands of millions of people, despite the growing body of evidence indicating that nanomaterials can be toxic to humans and the environment.
Read the Executive Summary | Read the Full Report
