(NaturalNews) Every day you're exposed to more than 123 chemicals through your skin and mouth -- the vast majority of which have never been screened for safety by the FDA! They're even in your children's personal care products.

The Environmental Working Group (EWG), a non-profit research based, consumer advocacy organization based in Washington DC, reports that personal care products expose children to an average of 60 chemicals every day that they can breathe in or absorb through their skin. EWG conducted product testing in partnership with Health Care Without Harm and other members of the Campaign for Safe Cosmetics.

They go on to report that since federal law contains no safety standards for cosmetics, it is legal for companies to use ingredients that are reproductive toxins like phthalates, carcinogens, and other potentially harmful substances.

Children's bodies do not react the same as adults when exposed to toxins. Even small doses can affect their sensitive developing bodies, leaving them vulnerable to allergies and frequent bouts of infections, colds, and even behavioral challenges. In the February 2008 issue of the journal Pediatrics, it was reported for the first time that infants and children are exposed to toxins from everyday baby products, including shampoos, lotions, and powders.

Depending on what is in your child's personal care products, there is a potential for toxic overload. This means that if your child uses only a product with one toxic ingredient, their body's immune system will be capable of filtering out the toxin. But, if you continually bombard your child's vulnerable body with more and more chemicals, you may be overworking it!

Perfumes, artificial dyes, BHT along with other harsh preservatives, strong detergents and salicylates are some of the other potentially harmful ingredients. The Feingold Association is a non-profit organization started by a pediatrician dedicated to helping expose how ingredients in foods and personal care products can trigger eczema, hives, asthma, headaches, dyslexia, irritability, infections, autism, PDD, ADHD and ADD.

Most people don't realize just because a product has a label indicating it is a baby product, it doesn't mean it is safe. Toothpaste is one of the most deceiving. Many popular children's toothpastes contain glitter, bright colors and taste like bubble gum. Although there is a warning on all toothpaste for the active ingredient fluoride, perhaps the warning should be for the inactive ingredients as well.

Sodium lauryl sulfate is a common inactive ingredient in toothpaste as well as shampoos, skin care and bubble baths. It is a surfactant that forms lather to the formulas. Besides finding it in your child's toothpaste, you may be surprised to learn it is a common industrial detergent used to clean oil off car engines. It's true. You could use your child's toothpaste to clean your car engine. Studies report of allergies and outbreak of canker sores with this ingredient.

Artificial sweeteners are another common ingredient in toothpaste for children. It's amazing that as a culture we have become so addicted to sweets, we can't even motivate our children to brush unless we add artificial sweeteners to them. Saccharin is the most often used which is banned in many countries. It used to be banned by the FDA, but is now accepted as safe.

Teenagers are also subject to toxic ingredients since they are heavily marketed to by cosmetic companies.

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About the author Dr. Flora Stay is the founder of Cleure (fusion of Clean & Pure)(www.cleure.com),the trusted company for chemically safe personal care and cosmetic products. She is currently an Associate Professor at U.S.C. School of Dentistry Dept. of Diagnostic Sciences. Her new book 'Secret Gateway to Health' is available at Amazon and Barnes and Nobel. Go to her website now for a FREE e-book "Product Labels: a cautionary tale" at http://www.cleure.com



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