JOY FEELINGS MAGAZINE December 2016 New Year issue | Page 73

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product is made. There is no way to know which products
contain nitrosamines because the government does not
require companies to disclose this information on labels.
Repeated skin application of DEA was found to cause
liver and kidney damage in animals. Researchers also
discovered that when absorbed through the skin, DEA
accumulated in organs. TEA, which is also used as a
fragrance ingredient, is toxic to the skin, and to the
respiratory and immune systems.
Thimerosol- Thimerosol is a mercury-containing
preservative. According to Health Canada, mercury may
cause allergic reactions, skin irritation and adverse effects
on the nervous system. Studies have also show that it can
affect reproduction. Thimerosol is used as a preservative
for products applied in the area of the eye, such as eye
drops and contact lens solutions. Mercury itself is also
sometimes found in cosmetics, and in 2010 tests by the
Chicago Tribune found a number of skin whitening
products contained high levels of mercury. Mercury is
readily absorbed through the skin. Thimerosol is on
Health Canada's Cosmetic Hotlist as a prohibited
substance.
Titanium Dioxide- Titanium dioxide is widely used in
personal care products such as toothpastes to provide
whiteness and opacity. It is also used in cosmetic and skin
care products and in many sunscreens to protect the skin
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