Ingredient Labeling
 Not Always
Required
Navigating the informational maze to determine the best cleaning products
for your family is aggravated by the fact that manufacturers are not required
to list all the ingredients contained in their products if the components
are considered proprietary information. The Federal Hazardous Substances
Labeling Act (FHSLA) obliges manufacturers to label active ingredients
that are considered to be "proximate" hazards, but not inert
ingredients that have long term, or chronic effects.
What's In a Name?
Even the listing of active ingredients is scrambled by the fact that more
that one word can be used for the same chemical. Chlorine bleach is also
hypochlorite, or sodium hypochlorite.
Short Term Warning
The FHSLA defines a "hazardous substance" as "any substance
or mixture of substances which is (1) toxic, (2) corrosive, (3) an irritant,
(4) a strong sensitizer, (5) flammable or combustible, or (6) generates
pressure through decomposition, heat, or other means," if the substance
might cause substantial personal injury or illness during a reasonable
handling or use.
Long Term Hazards
What is missing here is language cautioning that long term or chronic
health effects can occur from exposure to some of these substances. The
signal words on the side of the product (DANGER, WARNING, CORROSIVE) only
pertain to acute or immediate hazards, and do not include the product's
potential connection to degenerative diseases or those with long latency
periods.
Personal Care Products Too.
For personal care and cosmetic products, the Federal Drug Administration
(FDA) granted self-regulation to manufacturers in 1938. This gives the
industry license to add untested ingredients to their formulations. On
cosmetic researcher Linda Chae's web site, Oregon Senator Ron Wyden is
quoted as saying "...Even if the FDA suspects that serious adverse
health effects are caused by a cosmetic product, they can't require the
manufacturer to provide test data to prove the product safety."
Federal Hazardous Substances Act:
http://www.cpsc.gov/businfo/fhsa.html
Personal Care Product labeling Information:
www.lindachae.com
Labeling regulations and loopholes:
www.ycsw.org/Hhw.htm
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