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San
Francisco, CA - Most Americans assume cosmetics are studied and found
safe before they are sold to the public. But thousands of personal care
products are put on the market without any safety tests by the Food and
Drug Administration.
Now, an Environmental Working Group (EWG)
investigation finds that almost 7,500 personal care products including
hair dye, lotions and shaving gels contain untested chemicals. Because
of the lack of testing requirements, little is known about the health
effects of repeated exposures to small doses of untested chemicals over
a consumer's lifetime.
On Monday, June 7, EWG will release Skin
Deep, a free online database that lets consumers find out what
chemicals are in the cosmetics they use, at a San Francisco press
conference and community forum event held that evening. Joining EWG
are a coalition of over 50 California health, labor, small businesses
and environmental groups who are committed to insuring strong new
consumer and worker protections for cosmetics sold in the Golden
State. Legislation is expected to be introduced in the California
Legislature in response to the report
PRESS CONFERENCE
WHO:
Sonya Lunder, Analyst, Environmental Working Group
Barbara Brenner, Executive Director, Breast Cancer Action
…and representatives from local women's, labor, and health organizations.
WHERE: The Women's Foundation of California
340 Pine Street, Suite 302 in San Francisco
WHEN: Monday, June 7th at 10:00am
VISUALS: Cosmetic products that contain problem chemicals side-by-side with safe alternatives.
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COMMUNITY FORUM
WHO:
Hosted by The Breast Cancer Fund
Moderator: Medea Benjamin, Co-Founder, CODE PINK
Speakers: Sophie Maxwell, San Francisco Supervisor
Felecia Eaves, National Black Environmental Justice Network
Jane Houlihan, Vice President for Research, Environmental Working Group
Jenefer Palmer, Founder & President, OSEA International
WHERE: The Women's Building
3543 18th Street at Valencia Street, San Francisco
WHEN: Monday, June 7th from 6:00 p.m.- 8:30 p.m.
BACKGROUND: Visit www.safecosmetics.org/ and www.thinkbeforeyoupink.org for background on the issue. Visit http://www.safecosmetics.org/events.cfm to learn more about the forum.
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