Fw: Cancer-causing lotion banned in Sri Lanka

[Hemantha Withanage]

 dear all,

Please see below.

Hemantha Withanage

CEJ, Sri Lanka

 

Cancer-causing lotion banned

March 9, 2012, 9:44 pm 

The topical medicine, Lindane, prescribed against lice and scabies, was banned by the Health Ministry with immediate effect yesterday after it was revealed that long term exposure to the drug resulted in serious medical problems such as brain damage and cancer.

Health Ministry Spokesman, W. D. Wanninayake said that the Drug Regulatory Authority had issued directives to ban the ointment due to side-effects and it had been used as a pesticide in high concentration for nearly 30 years.

Wanninayake said the Health Minister had instructed the Technical Advisory Committee (TAC) on drugs to study the issue and take a decision.

Since there were three alternatives which were safe and effective for treating lice and scabies the TAC had decided to ban Lindane (also known as gamma-hexachlorocyclohexane) with immediate effect. (DJ)

 

 

 

 

----- Original Message -----

From: Mariann Lloyd-Smith

To: IPEN Network Network ; toxicsDi...@yahoogroups.com

Sent: Friday, March 09, 2012 4:32 AM

Subject: [ipenlistserve] Study highlights hidden dangers in everyday products.

Hi All, 

A new study published in Environmental Health Perspectives Thursday reveals an alarming number of unlabeled chemicals of concern in commonly used household and personal care products.  

Article about the study available here. 
http://www.forbes.com/sites/amywestervelt/2012/03/08/study-highlights-hidden-dangers-in-everyday-products/

Study available here : http://ehp03.niehs.nih.gov/article/info%3Adoi%2F10.1289%2Fehp.1104052

Dodson RE, Nishioka M, Standley LJ, Perovich LJ, Brody JG, Rudel RA 2012. Endocrine Disruptors and Asthma-Associated Chemicals in Consumer Products. Environ Health Perspect :-. http://dx.doi.org/10.1289/ehp.1104052

Abstract
BACKGROUND: Laboratory and human studies raise concerns about endocrine disruption and asthma from exposure to chemicals in consumer products. Limited labeling or testing information is available to evaluate products as exposure sources.

OBJECTIVES: We analytically quantified endocrine disruptors and asthma-related chemicals in a range of cosmetics, personal care products, cleaners, sunscreens, and vinyl products. We evaluated whether labels can be used to select products without these chemicals.

METHODS: We selected 213 commercial products representing 50 product types. We tested 42 composited samples of high market-share products. We also tested 43 alternative products identified using criteria expected to minimize target compounds. Analytes included parabens, phthalates, bisphenol A, triclosan, ethanolamines, alkylphenols, fragrances, glycol ethers, cyclosiloxanes and UV filters.

RESULTS: We detected 55 compounds, indicating a wide range of exposures from common products. Vinyl products contained >10% DEHP and could be an important source of DEHP in homes. In other products, the highest concentrations and numbers of detects were in the fragranced products perfume, air fresheners, and dryer sheets, and in sunscreens. Some products that did not contain the well-known EDC phthalates contained other less-studied phthalates (also EDCs), suggesting a substitution. Many detected chemicals were not listed on labels.

CONCLUSIONS: Common products contain complex mixtures of EDCs and asthma-related compounds. Toxicological studies of these mixtures are needed to understand their biological activity. For epidemiology, findings raise cautions about potential confounding from co-occurring chemicals and misclassification due to variability in product composition. It appears that consumers can avoid some target chemicals—synthetic fragrances, BPA, and regulated active ingredients—using purchasing criteria. More complete labeling would enable consumers to avoid the rest.

__________________________________
Dr Mariann Lloyd-Smith PhD (Law)
Senior Advisor, IPEN - International POPs Elimination Network
Senior Advisor, National Toxics Network Inc.
PO Box 173 Bangalow NSW 2479 
(612) 66815340 / 0413 621557
bio...@oztoxics.org
www.ntn.org.au
www.ipen.org
Skype - mariannls

---

____________________________________________________________
You received this message as a subscriber on the list:
     ipenn...@npogroups.org
To be removed from the list, send any message to:
     ipennetwork...@npogroups.org

For all list information and functions, see:
     http://npogroups.org/lists/info/ipennetwork