The Body Shop, cancer causing ingredients? warning?s

meercatsunited

below is the email i sent to CEO [EMAIL="sophie.gasperment@thebodyshop.com"]sophie.gasperment@thebodyshop.com[/EMAIL] and the customer care team, after buying body butters containing products that look like they may cause cancer.
to date none have replied.
we are usually behind the USA in discovering good or bad additives and if they are safe why havent they replied to my emails.
Their staff told me how they only use natural products, looked up the ingredients and assured me they were none carcinogenic. I think the ingredients are preservatives.
The shop is 30 miles away for me to return the products to.

"Hi
I recently visited one of your stores and explained that I had breast cancer and bladder cancer, and am taking Tamoxifen, I wanted to ensure your products were entirely safe but i have found the following in the body butters I purchased.

I would like a full refund, your staff to be informed of the risk to some customers and apology please. You can have the items returned, please send the relevant pre paid postage and packaging.

regards"

Peg-100 stearate
Safety Measures/Side Effects:
However. The Cosmetics Database found PEG 100 Stearate to be a moderate to high hazard ingredient depending on usage. The EWG issues warnings regarding: cancer, developmental and reproductive toxicity, contamination concerns, irritation, and organ system toxicity.
According to a study published in the International Journal of Toxicology, PEGs (including PEG 100 Stearate) can contain harmful impurities, including: Ethylene Oxide,
known to increase the incidences of uterine and breast cancers and of leukemia and brain cancer, according to experimental results reported by the National Toxicology Program; 1,4-dioxane, a known carcinogen; PAHs, known to increase the risk of breast cancer; lead; iron; and arsenic (Source).
Products and formulas containing PEG 100 Stearate should not be used on broken or irritated skin. Although PEGs are considered safe for use topically on healthy skin, studies showed that patients suffering from severe burns were treated with PEG-based antimicrobial cream; this treatment resulted in kidney toxicity. "The PEG content of the antimicrobial cream was determined to be the causative agent. However, no evidence of systemic toxicity occurred in studies with intact skin. Because of the observation of kidney effects in burn patients, the CIR Expert Panel qualified their conclusion on the safety of the PEG ingredients to state that cosmetic formulations containing these ingredients should not be used on damaged skin"

Breast Cancer: Methylparaben and BPA Increase Risk
A new study shows methlyparaben and BPA, chemicals used in many consumer products, may reduce the effectiveness of cancer-fighting drugs like Tamoxifen.
September 13, 2011 – Researchers at the California Pacific Medical Center in San Francisco have just discovered that two common chemicals used in consumer products, methylparaben and Bisphenol A (BPA) are having a negative effect on cancer drug effectiveness. When both chemicals were combined and added to breast tissue cells, they rendered Tamoxifen ineffective. Tamoxifen is designed to kill both cancerous and normal cells.

Propylparaben
FDA is aware that estrogenic activity in the body is associated with certain forms of breast cancer. Although parabens can act similarly to estrogen, they have been shown to have much less estrogenic activity than the body’s naturally occurring estrogen. For example, a 1998 study (Routledge et al., in Toxicology and Applied Pharmacology) found that the most potent paraben tested in the study, butylparaben, showed from 10,000- to 100,000-fold less activity than naturally occurring estradiol (a form of estrogen). Further, parabens are used at very low levels in cosmetics. In a review of the estrogenic activity of parabens, (Golden et al., in Critical Reviews in Toxicology, 2005) the author concluded that based on maximum daily exposure estimates, it was implausible that parabens could increase the risk associated with exposure to estrogenic chemicals.

Cherry_Bomb

meercatsunited wrote: »

below is the email i sent to CEO [EMAIL="sophie.gasperment@thebodyshop.com"]sophie.gasperment@thebodyshop.com[/EMAIL] and the customer care team, after buying body butters containing products that look like they may cause cancer.
to date none have replied.
we are usually behind the USA in discovering good or bad additives and if they are safe why havent they replied to my emails.
Their staff told me how they only use natural products, looked up the ingredients and assured me they were none carcinogenic. I think the ingredients are preservatives.
The shop is 30 miles away for me to return the products to.

"Hi
I recently visited one of your stores and explained that I had breast cancer in 2008 (hormone receptive)and bladder cancer in 2010, and am taking Tamoxifen, I wanted to ensure your products were entirely safe but i have found the following in the body butters I purchased.

I would like a full refund, your staff to be informed of the risk to some customers and apology please. You can have the items returned, please send the relevant pre paid postage and packaging.

regards"

Peg-100 stearate
Safety Measures/Side Effects:
However. The Cosmetics Database found PEG 100 Stearate to be a moderate to high hazard ingredient depending on usage. The EWG issues warnings regarding: cancer, developmental and reproductive toxicity, contamination concerns, irritation, and organ system toxicity.
According to a study published in the International Journal of Toxicology, PEGs (including PEG 100 Stearate) can contain harmful impurities, including: Ethylene Oxide,
known to increase the incidences of uterine and breast cancers and of leukemia and brain cancer, according to experimental results reported by the National Toxicology Program; 1,4-dioxane, a known carcinogen; PAHs, known to increase the risk of breast cancer; lead; iron; and arsenic (Source).
Products and formulas containing PEG 100 Stearate should not be used on broken or irritated skin. Although PEGs are considered safe for use topically on healthy skin, studies showed that patients suffering from severe burns were treated with PEG-based antimicrobial cream; this treatment resulted in kidney toxicity. "The PEG content of the antimicrobial cream was determined to be the causative agent. However, no evidence of systemic toxicity occurred in studies with intact skin. Because of the observation of kidney effects in burn patients, the CIR Expert Panel qualified their conclusion on the safety of the PEG ingredients to state that cosmetic formulations containing these ingredients should not be used on damaged skin"

Do you have damaged or broken skin?

meercatsunited wrote: »

Breast Cancer: Methylparaben and BPA Increase Risk
A new study shows methlyparaben and BPA, chemicals used in many consumer products, may reduce the effectiveness of cancer-fighting drugs like Tamoxifen.
September 13, 2011[/B] – Researchers at the California Pacific Medical Center in San Francisco have just discovered that two common chemicals used in consumer products, methylparaben and Bisphenol A (BPA) are having a negative effect on cancer drug effectiveness. When both chemicals were combined and added to breast tissue cells, they rendered Tamoxifen ineffective.

Why in hell would you assume a shop assistant would know anything about Tamoxifen? It's the bodyshop. Not a Lloyds Pharmacy

meercatsunited wrote: »

Propylparaben
FDA is aware that estrogenic activity in the body is associated with certain forms of breast cancer. Although parabens can act similarly to estrogen, they have been shown to have much less estrogenic activity than the body’s naturally occurring estrogen. [/B]For example, a 1998 study (Routledge et al., in Toxicology and Applied Pharmacology) found that the most potent paraben tested in the study, butylparaben, showed from 10,000- to 100,000-fold less activity than naturally occurring estradiol (a form of estrogen). Further, parabens are used at very low levels in cosmetics. In a review of the estrogenic activity of parabens, (Golden et al., in Critical Reviews in Toxicology, 2005) the author concluded that based on maximum daily exposure estimates, it was implausible that parabens could increase the risk associated with exposure to estrogenic chemicals.

Did you even bother to properly read the research you emailed?

ThumbRemote

Cherry_Bomb, do you understand that this is a board for Praise, Vent and Warnings

Oliver14

ThumbRemote wrote: »

Cherry_Bomb, do you understand that this is a board for Praise, Vent and Warnings

It's doesn't say anything about Invalid Warnings or scaremongering though which reading the research the OP has sent body shop is what it is.

Oliver14

meercatsunited wrote: »

below is the email i sent to CEO [EMAIL="sophie.gasperment@thebodyshop.com"]sophie.gasperment@thebodyshop.com[/EMAIL] and the customer care team, after buying body butters containing products that look like they may cause cancer.
to date none have replied.
we are usually behind the USA in discovering good or bad additives and if they are safe why havent they replied to my emails.
Their staff told me how they only use natural products, looked up the ingredients and assured me they were none carcinogenic. I think the ingredients are preservatives.
The shop is 30 miles away for me to return the products to.

"Hi
I recently visited one of your stores and explained that I had breast cancer in 2008 (hormone receptive)and bladder cancer in 2010, and am taking Tamoxifen, I wanted to ensure your products were entirely safe but i have found the following in the body butters I purchased.

I would like a full refund, your staff to be informed of the risk to some customers and apology please. You can have the items returned, please send the relevant pre paid postage and packaging.

regards"

Peg-100 stearate
Safety Measures/Side Effects:
However. The Cosmetics Database found PEG 100 Stearate to be a moderate to high hazard ingredient depending on usage. The EWG issues warnings regarding: cancer, developmental and reproductive toxicity, contamination concerns, irritation, and organ system toxicity.
According to a study published in the International Journal of Toxicology, PEGs (including PEG 100 Stearate) can contain (it doesn't say it does contain just that it can) harmful impurities, including: Ethylene Oxide,
known to increase the incidences of uterine and breast cancers and of leukemia and brain cancer, according to experimental results reported by the National Toxicology Program; 1,4-dioxane, a known carcinogen; PAHs, known to increase the risk of breast cancer; lead; iron; and arsenic (Source).
Products and formulas containing PEG 100 Stearate should not be used on broken or irritated skin.(which most surface body shop products say anyway) Although PEGs are considered safe for use topically on healthy skin, studies showed that patients suffering from severe burns were treated with PEG-based antimicrobial cream; this treatment resulted in kidney toxicity. "The PEG content of the antimicrobial cream was determined to be the causative agent. However, no evidence of systemic toxicity occurred in studies with intact skin. (Quite an important bit you seem to be conveniently ignoring) Because of the observation of kidney effects in burn patients, the CIR Expert Panel qualified their conclusion on the safety of the PEG ingredients to state that cosmetic formulations containing these ingredients should not be used on damaged skin"

Breast Cancer: Methylparaben and BPA Increase Risk
A new study shows methlyparaben and BPA, chemicals used in many consumer products, may reduce the effectiveness of cancer-fighting drugs like Tamoxifen.(This is one study has this been reproduced? One study doesn't set policy or prove anything)
September 13, 2011 – Researchers at the California Pacific Medical Center in San Francisco have just discovered that two common chemicals used in consumer products, methylparaben and Bisphenol A (BPA) are having a negative effect on cancer drug effectiveness. When both chemicals were combined and added to breast tissue cells, they rendered Tamoxifen ineffective. Tamoxifen is designed to kill both cancerous and normal cells.

Propylparaben
FDA is aware that estrogenic activity in the body is associated with certain forms of breast cancer. Although parabens can act similarly to estrogen, they have been shown to have much less estrogenic activity than the body’s naturally occurring estrogen. For example, a 1998 study (Routledge et al., in Toxicology and Applied Pharmacology) found that the most potent paraben tested in the study, butylparaben, showed from 10,000- to 100,000-fold less activity than naturally occurring estradiol (a form of estrogen). Further, parabens are used at very low levels in cosmetics. In a review of the estrogenic activity of parabens, (Golden et al., in Critical Reviews in Toxicology, 2005) the author concluded that based on maximum daily exposure estimates, it was implausible that parabens could increase the risk associated with exposure to estrogenic chemicals.

Highlighted in red are the bits you seem to be ignoring. My comments in purple

mynameistallulah

depending on usage

This is key - many day to day items have ingredients that can cause harm, but the dosages needed to do such damage are massive, you would need to be eating a tub of the stuff a day to do harm!

snozberry

oh for gods sake, nearly everything on this planet of ours can kill us should the dosage be right.

I'm really sorry that you have had to live with cancer twice but my mum had it and she didn't let anything let this to stop her from living her short life to the full. (yes, she was very strict with everything that the doctors told her to do).

Cherry_Bomb

ThumbRemote wrote: »

Cherry_Bomb, do you understand that this is a board for Praise, Vent and Warnings

Forgive me for attempting to highlight the errors in the OP's flawed 'argument'

Of course if you have something helpful to add please do.
I'll be over there>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
On the edge of my seat

paddyrg

Beware of Dihydrogen Monoxide / Hydric Acid

http://dhmo.org/
http://dhmo.org/msdsdhmo.html
http://www.netreach.net/~rjones/no_dhmo.html

I mention this as things are not always as simple as they seem. Medical reports are not written for the layman, but for interpretation in context, which may be very different. This is how the Daily Mail can have '<whatever> cures cancer' on their cover one week, and '<the same whatever> causes cancer' the next - they take everything out of context and ramp it up for a scare story.

I am not saying these chemicals are good, bad or indifferent as *I am not qualified to say*, but beware of taking one or two studies quoted/misquoted online (when we don't even know the methodology of the study, who funded it, or what their vested interests were) and extrapolating too far from there. It'll lead to a lot of extra worry for yourself, and frankly the stress will do you more harm than you need if you're recovering from cancers. By all means, just use oats and milk for facescrubs/etc - you're right, it is probably better/no worse for your body, but it is easy to get caught up into things we're not qualified to qualify.

meercatsunited

well when you have had cancer and found it had returned you try to avoid ingesting suspect products and those of you who call it scaremongering I hope you don't experience what I have.

my post was to help others but some need to go to specsavers



and to the trolls