How Safe is Your Child's Bubble Bath?

by Dolores G. Wix

On May 10, 2002, PBS aired a special report "Kids and Chemicals" on NOW with Bill Moyers. The program looked at families throughout the country with children who are suffering from learning and behavioral disabilities, childhood cancers like leukemia, and asthma. What are the causes of these illnesses? Research suggests that everyday chemicals may be putting the children at risk.

"The disturbing increases in childhood illnesses in America cannot be ignored," says Bill Moyers. "How does the exposure affect children's health? The new research is studying how chemicals enter the human body, and posing questions that they could never ask before: Do chemicals affect children, babies and unborn fetuses more than adults? What factors increase toxicity, and how can we protect children from harm?"

One of the medical experts interviewed was Dr. Phillip Landrigan of the Mount Sinai School of Medicine in New York City. He is working with scientists around the country to understand how children are affected by being exposed to chemicals. "Of the 3000 high production volume chemicals in use in this country today, only 43% have been even minimally tested," he told Moyers. "Only about 10% have been thoroughly tested to examine their potential effects on children's health and development."

A special investigation by "The Doctor's Prescription for Healthy Living," a monthly publication published by Freedom Press, Inc. revealed startling information. In their Volume 4, Number 4 issue, an article entitled, "How Safe is Your Children's Bubble Bath?" stated, "Children's bubble bath products contain potentially harmful ingredients and contaminants." They reported that some government studies revealed that some of the ingredients in children's bubble bath products are cancer-causing.

One such ingredient is DEA or diethanolamine. DEA is used in over 600 home and personal care products including bubble baths, dishwashing and laundry detergents, soaps, cosmetics, lotions, shampoos and conditioners.

Keep in mind that DEA is just one of many ingredients used in every day personal and home care products suspected of causing or contributing to cancer. Some ingredients, safe by themselves, can become harmful if they interact with certain other ingredients. Can you imagine how long it would take to test these millions of different combinations? Before any changes are forced, the FDA wants scientifically valid, conclusive proof that can only be obtained through studies. Do you really want to risk your child's or your health waiting for the conclusions of a lengthy study?

So What is the Solution?

Investigate and educate yourself about the ingredients in the products you use every day. Start using products on your children, grandchildren as well as yourself that are chemical free. Find one of the handful of companies out there that offer safer ingredients in personal and home care products and that are more interested in your welfare than their bottom line.

Copyright 2002 Dolores G. Wix. Dolores G. Wix is a distributor for Young Living Essential Oils which offers chemical-free products for children and adults. To experience the physical, mental and emotional benefits of essential oils, visit: fgp.younglivingworld.com.