By Lisa M. Belisle, MD, MPH
Originally published August 28, 2007, The Maine Switch

I have two nephews and two nieces under the age of four, so the recent news about lead-tainted toys from China hit my family hard. While my children are now school-aged and less likely to be impacted by this problem, I empathized with my sisters. Emily and Amy are caring, responsible mothers, and they have always done what is best for Elijah, Stella, Colby and Eleanor. They would have made different choices regarding their children’s playthings if they had known they might put their babies at risk for developmental delays. What parent wouldn’t?

As parents, we are often forced to make choices based on incomplete information. Such is the case with parabens. A group that includes Methylparaben, Ethylparaben, p-Propylparaben, Isobutylparaben, n-Butylparaben and Benzylparaben, the parabens are used as preservatives in personal care products and some foods. One study found them in more than 13,200 common items, including shampoo, lotion, shampoo and makeup.

What is the problem with parabens? These preservatives cause abnormal estrogen-like activity in some animals, both male and female. According to an article in the Journal of Applied Toxicology, they have also been found in breast tumor cells. While no definitive link between parabens and a specific cancer has yet been made, studies are ongoing.

In the European Union, where chemicals used in cosmetics are submitted to fairly rigorous scrutiny, a review of the literature showed parabens to be safe when used in limited amounts. The issue with this, however, is that the average person uses about ten different personal care products products daily. This means that an individual’s paraben exposure can add up over time. While some personal care products, like shampoo, are washed off the skin immediately, others, like lotion, remain on the skin longer. This skin is known to be a very effective way of getting things—both healthy and not—into our bodies. This is especially true for children.

What should parents do about parabens? It seems to make sense to err on the side of caution. This means limiting our children’s (and our own) exposure by purchasing products that do not contain this questionable preservative. The presence or absence of parabens may not be readily apparent. I recently brought home several items manufactured by a company that claims to be “obsessively natural.” Upon perusing their respective ingredient lists, I found that the moisturizing lotion was paraben-free. The shaving lotion was not.

Paraben-free products are making their way into the mainstream. These can be found at natural food stores and supermarkets (look for Avalon Organics, Alba, J/A/S/O/N and Dr. Bronner’s), and even at the mall (Crabtree & Evelyn now markets a “natural” paraben-free line).

As you wait out the paraben paradox, don’t live in fear. Enjoy your favorite lotion, and let your kids lather up in the tub. Just be cautious, and stay tuned for more information. Don’t let parabens be your next “Chinese toys.”