Company cuts chemicals linked to cancer

  • Breaking
  • 04/11/2013

A New Zealand company is responding to growing concerns about chemicals linked to cancer by cutting them out of its liquid soaps and body washes.

The move has been supported by the Green Party, which now wants the Government to step in and regulate all manufacturers.

There's nothing illegal about the chemicals, but that doesn't mean they're safe. API Consumer Brands is removing several from its Health Basics range.

"There are some things where the regulatory agency hasn't had time to do enough research into but some times it's up to the companies themselves to take that step forward to do more for the consumers," says Mitch Cuevas, API Consumer Brands general manager.

Mr Cuevas was prompted to act by the Green Party's Catherine Delahunty, who had read a World Health Organisation study that linked nearly 800 chemicals in common use to problems including poor fertility, asthma and cancer.

"What worries me is that many companies and many people don't know about these chemicals," says Ms Delahunty. "Our regime here is not precautionary and the Government should take a precautionary approach to chemicals where the science is showing us that they are dangerous to people's health."

Mr Delahunty asked API to remove the chemical triclosan from its handwash.

The company went further and is taking out cocamide DEA, as well as sulfates, parabens, propylene and lanolin from other products.

Both want to see more companies follow suit. Ms Delahunty is also lobbying the Government for tighter regulations.

Upto 145,000 chemicals are still untested, so it's a huge task to regulate, which is why it's so important that businesses like API are prepared to make changes independently.

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source: newshub archive