Canadian environmental body raises concerns about toxic chemicals in men’s grooming products

Environmental Defence, a Canadian environmental action organisation, is trying to bring about awareness about the toxic chemicals present in men’s personal care products which could pose health risks.

According to its new report, entitled ‘The Manscape: The Dirt on Toxic Ingredients in Men’s Body Care Products’, toxic chemicals are present in some men’s body care products like Pert Plus shampoo, Axe hair gel and Old Spice deodorant, which are likely to cause cancer, birth defects, sperm damage, obesity, asthma and other chronic health problems.

Environmental Defence toxics program manager Maggie MacDonald said although men are not using shaving products in November, Canadian men are using personal care products more than ever.

"It’s time the cosmetics industry and government removed the harmful and unnecessary chemicals in the things people use on their bodies every day," said MacDonald.

Environmental Defence had sent 17 products, including shampoo, aftershave, and shaving cream, in the shaving kits of five different Canadian male volunteers to a laboratory outside its premises for testing.

The tests revealed that four products contained probable human carcinogens, while chemicals with potential to harm male reproductive health were found in five products and ten products contained artificial musks, which have been proven to disrupt hormones in animals.

The organisation also found that the most toxic products were LOrral Preference Ultimate Black Hair Dye, with five ingredients of concern including 1,4-dioxane and p-phenylenediamine; Pert Plus 2-in-1 Shampoo and Conditioner Medium Hair, with four ingredients of concern, including phthalates and 1,4-dioxane; Gillette Foamy Regular Shave Foam, consisting four ingredients of concern, including artificial musks and sodium lauryl sulfate.

The products also included Calvin Klein ‘Obsession’ Aftershave, which was found to have four potentially harmful, including phthalates and artificial musks; Old Spice High Endurance Deodorant/Pure Sport, with three ingredients of concern, including phthalates, and artificial musks; and Speed Stick Stain Guard Deodorant/fresh with three ingredients raising concern, including artificial musk.

John Power, a volunteer who shared his shaving kit with Environmental Defence, said it was disconcerting to him to realise how a product like shampoo was filled with many unnecessary chemicals that could affect people’s health.

Presence of phthalates raised more questions, as they have already been banned in cosmetics in the EU.

They are, however, present in most fragranced products in North America, along with poly-vinyl chloride (PVC).

These products, especially, have been found to cause testicular cancer, asthma, obesity and infertility.

Although the labels of some products listed some of these harmful chemicals, others were hiding it.