The information I am quoting comes directly from the FDA (Federal Drug Administration March 24, 2006; Updated October 31, 2007) site and my comments are in blue. You will see that contradictory information is being given out and that we have to read between the lines to see what our government is ready to do to protect us.

What are parabens?
Parabens are the most widely used preservatives in cosmetic products. Chemically, parabens are esters of p-hydroxybenzoic acid. The most common parabens used in cosmetic products are methylparaben, propylparaben, and butylparaben. Typically, more than one paraben is used in a product, and they are often used in combination with other types of preservatives to provide preservation against a broad range of microorganisms. The use of mixtures of parabens (chemical cocktail) allows the use of lower levels while increasing preservative activity. (We do not need chemical to preserve our cosmetics – nature has ingredients that will do the job just fine).

The FDA is not authorized to approve or disapprove of cosmetic ingredients except if they are prohibited by regulation. (They have not prohibited parabens so the cosmetic company can do as they wish. The percentage is really a mute point because parabens use cannot be regulated. Does that mean that is they are use approximately .01 to .3% parabens in the ingredients and they use 7 (.3 x 7) parabens they can have 2.10% parabens in the ingredients? Of course not a lot on money has been invested in proving the dangers because unless an independent party invests in the studies they won’t be done.)

Are there health risks associated with the use of parabens in cosmetics?
The Cosmetic Ingredient Review (CIR) reviewed the safety of methylparaben, propylparaben, and butylparaben in 1984 and concluded they were safe for use in cosmetic products at levels up to 25%. Typically parabens are used at levels ranging from 0.01 to 0.3%. (So they say).

On November 14, 2003, (that was a long time ago – about the time millions were being spent on cancer research) the CIR began the process to reopen the safety assessments of methylparaben, ethylparaben, propylparaben, and butylparaben in order to offer interested parties (who would that be?) an opportunity to submit new data for consideration. In September 2005, the CIR decided to re-open the safety assessment for parabens to request exposure estimates and a risk assessment for cosmetic uses. In December 2005, after considering the margins of safety for exposure to women and infants, (not men – but they use shampoo too) the Panel determined that there was no need to change its original conclusion that parabens are safe as used in cosmetics. (The CIR is an industry-sponsored organization that reviews cosmetic ingredient safety and publishes its results in open, peer-reviewed literature. FDA participates in the CIR in a non-voting capacity.) (Hands off no blame position).

A study published in 2004 (Darbre, in the Journal of Applied Toxicology) detected parabens in breast tumors. The study also discussed this information in the context of the weak estrogen-like properties of parabens (they neglect to say that natural estrogens act differently in the body than chemical estrogens) and the influence of estrogen on breast cancer. However, the study left several questions unanswered. For example, the study did not show that parabens cause cancer, or that they are harmful in any way, and the study did not look at possible paraben levels in normal tissue. (Interesting – that would be a base line for research, don’t you think?)

FDA is aware that estrogenic activity in the body is associated with certain forms of breast cancer. Although parabens can act similarly to estrogen, they have been shown to have much less estrogenic activity than the body’s naturally occurring estrogen. For example, a 1998 study (Routledge et al., in Toxicology and Applied Pharmacology) found that the most potent paraben tested in the study, butylparaben, showed from 10,000- to 100,000-fold less activity than naturally occurring estradiol (a form of estrogen). (Of course it didn’t act like an estrogen because it is not – it’s a chemical that messes with your body).

Further, parabens are used at very low levels in cosmetics. In a review of the estrogenic activity of parabens, (Golden et al., in Critical Reviews in Toxicology, 2005) the author concluded that based on maximum daily exposure estimates, it was implausible (but certainly not impossible) that parabens could increase the risk associated with exposure to estrogenic chemicals. (What risk of exposure to estrogenic chemicals? So they agree that there is a risk associated with estrogenic chemicals).

FDA believes that at the present time there is no reason for consumers to be concerned about the use of cosmetics containing parabens. However, the agency will continue to evaluate new data in this area. If FDA determines that a health hazard exists, the agency will advise the industry and the public, and will consider its legal options under the authority of the FD&C Act in protecting the health and welfare of consumers.

(But if the non organic cosmetics companies were following within the FDA approved proceedures then how could they take legal action against them? That won’t help the people that continued to use paraben laden cosmetics and food if they find themselves ailing from cancer).