Press Releases - Women's Voices for the Earth

Colorants in Feminine Washes May Be Violating FDA Use Restrictions

18 Aug 2015

‘For External Use Only’ – This language-loophole on feminine care product labels may be putting women’s health at risk MISSOULA, MT — Today, national women’s health non-profit, Women’s Voices for the Earth (WVE), filed a citizen’s petition to the FDA regarding clear safety guidelines on the use of colorants in feminine care products. The petition argues that colorants found in some feminine washes come in contact with vaginal mucous membranes –violating the FDA’s use restrictions, and may adversely affect the health of women using these products. WVE’s research identified several feminine wash products currently on the market that contain the...

Amendments Needed to Strengthen the Personal Care Products Safety Act

09 Jul 2015

Congress takes action on cosmetics, but major flaw in bill must be addressed to ensure salon worker and consumer safety Women’s Voices for the Earth is pleased Senators Feinstein and Collins have introduced the Personal Care Products Safety Act (S. 1014). The bill presents a real opportunity to protect salon workers and consumers from harmful exposure to toxic chemicals in cosmetics. Consumers are exposed to a host of chemicals from everyday use of products, and salon workers are disproportionately impacted by exposure to chemicals like formaldehyde, toluene and dibutyl phthalate (often found in nail polish, for example) because they work...

New Data Reveals Toxic Chemicals in Nail Products

21 May 2015

Research underscores the need for stronger regulations over ingredients used in salon products FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – May 21, 2015 National women’s health organization, Women’s Voices for the Earth (WVE), has unearthed new data on the use of toxic chemicals in nail products. The data was culled from the California Safe Cosmetics Database and reveals that at least a dozen toxic chemicals linked to cancer and reproductive harm are being used in nail products. The California Safe Cosmetics Database requires companies to report ingredients in their cosmetic products that are considered carcinogens or reproductive toxins under Proposition 65. The California...

Clorox, SC Johnson, RB and Procter & Gamble Exposed in New Product Safety Report

28 Apr 2015

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Missoula, MT APRIL 28 2015 — A new report released by national women’s health non-profit, Women’s Voices for the Earth (WVE), finds that the cleaning product industry is falling short in meeting consumer demands for safer products. Titled Deep Clean: What the cleaning industry should be doing to protect your health, the report exposes how cleaning product companies use the lack of industry regulations as a loophole to keep customers in the dark about how they screen for dangerous chemicals and their overall standards of product safety. The report rates four leading cleaning product manufacturers: The Clorox...

New Bill Will Protect Women’s Health from Serious Gaps in Feminine-Hygiene Regulation

08 Apr 2015

MISSOULA, MT, April 2, 2015 — Rep. Carolyn B. Maloney (D-NY) introduced a renewed version of her legislation focused on protecting women from potential health risks associated with feminine care products. The Robin Danielson Feminine Hygiene Product Safety Act (H.R. 1708) – named after a victim of Toxic Shock Syndrome from tampon use – would require the National Institute of Health (NIH) to support or conduct research on the risks posed by the presence of dioxin, colorants, dyes, preservatives, chemical fragrance and other chemicals used in tampons, pads and menstrual cups, as well as feminine wipes, douches and sprays. The...

FDA Stalls, While Stylists Remain at Risk for Formaldehyde Poisoning

12 Mar 2015

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – March 12, 2015 MISSOULA, MT — Women’s health non-profit, Women’s Voices for the Earth (WVE), is taking aim at the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for their failure to protect consumers and stylists from the carcinogen, formaldehyde. WVE demonstrates the agency’s idleness on the issue in a new infographic that outlines the history of actions taken by states and other countries against Brazilian Blowout and similar hair straightening products containing the toxic chemical, formaldehyde – while in contrast – illustrates the FDA’s failure to act. “Within the last five years, Brazilian Blowout has been subject...