UNITIS study unearths toxic botanicals
industries and services has found that some 27 toxic substances
exist in the 350 plants used in the cosmetic ingredient, a result
that consumers should be warned about, the reports finds.
With consumers increasingly making the switch to natural and botanical-based products because they are believed to be safer, the need to communicate potentially dangerous toxins in such products is all the more pressing.
The study relates to the 7th amendment of the European Directive on Carcinogenic, Mutagenic or toxic to Reproduction (CMR) substances. UNITIS says that because of this requirement all botanical ingredients used in cosmetic products have had to be tested for the presence of some 800 CMR substances.
UNITIS adds that this charge is extremely difficult for botanical ingredients manufacturers and marketers to implement, which is why the organisation was charged with this responsibility.
Three leading experts were enlisted to carry out the study : Professor R Anton, Dr A Lobstein and Dr B Weniger. These individuals are all eminent specialists in the field of botanicals and were charged with the mission of assessing toxins levels in cosmetic botanicals.
The results of the study found that of the 350 plants studied, 283 plants were completely devoid of CMR substances - suggesting that botanicals are largely safe for cosmetic applications.
However, for the 71 botanical plants that did contain one or more of the 27 CMR substances, UNITIS has compiled a comprehensive list of its findings and circulated that to all of its members. Results are also available by consulting the organisation's website.
The 27 substances that were tested included hydrogen cyanide, isoprene, furan, glyoxal, acrylic acid, safrol and phenol.
Euromonitor recently drew attention to research that shows that while the global market for cosmetic and toiletry products is expected to grow at just 1 per cent a year through to 2009, the market for natural-based cosmetic products, which includes botanicals, is expected to grow at 9 per cent per year between 2003 and 2009 to reach a value of $5.8 billion.
