Cancer-Causing Chemicals
Found in More than 90 Shampoo Brands.

While the original article was intended to draw attention to human shampoo brands, I don't believe enough people have considered the ingredients in their pet's shampoo carefully. Don't be fooled by labels that say "all natural", "safe" and so on. Pet shampoos are not considered drugs, therefore there are no governmental regulations designed to define or govern the terms "all natural", "safe" or the use of those terms. Many manufacturers are quick to take advantage of the gap in the regulations. Consequently, the only way to you can help keep your pet safe and healthy is to know what chemicals to avoid.

And, shampoos are not the only product suffering from addition of many other potentially cancer-inducing chemicals. Any cleaners, dish soaps, and even so-called non-toxic cleaning products are only called that due to the very narrow definition of the word toxic assigned by the E.P.A. (Environmental Protection Agency, U.S.A.) to represent only those products that contain heavy metals.

Because of this, in my opinion, mis-definition, there are now so many ingredients in everyday cleaners and institutional cleaning agents that are continuing to be the cause of many severe illnesses, including cancer. So, be aware that what you are bringing home or using in your work place, even though it is deemed non-toxic, could be very very bad for your health and for the health of your pet or any animals with which you are working.

"Most people believe that products sold in major stores are tested for safety, but consumers need to know that they could be doused with a cancer-causing chemical every time they shower or shampoo," said Michael Green, Executive Director of the Center for Environmental Health. "We expect companies to take swift action to end this unnecessary risk to our children's and families' health."

The same holds true for your pets and any animals with which you work.

A complete list of the brands and products that tested positive for cocamide DEA can be found on the CEH website.

Ingredients to Avoid in Commercially Manufactured Pet Shampoos:

• 1,4-diaminobenzene;
  
  
• Artificial colors (i.e. blue 1,2,4, disperse blue 1; green 1,2,3; red 4,9,17,19,22,33,40; yellow 5,6,8; disperse yellow 3 - will be shown as D =&C or FD&C, i.e. FD&C Red No.6);
  
  
• Benzalkonium Chloride and Benzethonium Chloride - synthetic germicides, long term use may affect immune system, cause asthma;
  
  
• BHA;
  
  
• BHT;
  
  
• Coal Tar Dyes;
  
  
• DEA full name of Diethanolamine;
  
  
• DEA-Cocamide, Lauramide condensates;
  
  
• DEA-Cocamide, Lauramide, Oleamide condensates;
  
  
• DEA-MEA/Acetame;
  
  
• DEA-Sodium lauryl sulfate;
  
  
• Dioxins;
  
  
• Fragrances (Parfum) - unless from a truly all natural source;
  
  
• Methicone;
  
  
• Methylisothiazolinone (aka MIT);
  
  
• P-phenylenediamine;
  
  
• Paraphenylenediamine;
  
  
• PEG-compounds (1,4-dioxane, propylene glycol and other ingredients with the letters "eth" , i.e.polyethylene glycol);
  
  
• Petrolatum or Mineral Oil (can be contaminated with polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons);
  
  
• Phthalates;
  
  
• Polyethylene Glycol;
  
  
• Propylene Glycol (used in anti-freeze!);
  
  
• Sodium Laureth Sulphate (aka SLES);
  
  
• Sodium Lauryl Sulphate (aka SLS);
  
  
• Sodium Hydroxide;
  
  
• Triclosan.
  
  
• Triethanolamine (aka TEA);