Details on parabens
Parabens are chemicals generally used as preservatives because of their antibacterial and antimycotic properties.
They are present in medicines, cosmetics and food products, since parabens protect them against bacterial and fungal (fungal) contamination.
Parabens are also found naturally in the human body, as well as in certain fruits and vegetables, such as blackberries, strawberries or carrots, or other products such as honey.
Are they dangerous for health?
According to the French Agency for Sanitary Safety of Health Products (AFSSAPS), the use of parabens in drugs would be justified, because they protect drugs from degradation which would lead to a loss of efficacy.
AFSSAPS adds that only a risk of allergy to parabens in pharmaceutical products has been proven. Their use in medicinal products would therefore not be called into question.
However, other safety risks associated with the use of these preservatives have been demonstrated. They would indeed have a carcinogenic potential. In 2004, English researchers from the University of Reading discovered the presence of parabens in the biopsy of a cancerous breast tumor.
Since then, other animal studies accuse parabens of causing fertility problems in humans.
Parabens and the law
In France, these numerous debates on the toxicity of parabens have prompted the National Assembly to vote a single text of law which prohibits parabens:
“The manufacture, import, sale or offer of products containing
phthalates, parabens or alkylphenols are prohibited. “
Today, therefore, it is a question of finding a viable alternative to replace parabens.
In Canada, the situation is quite different. The Health Canada organization affirms that the marketing of cosmetic products is subject to strict legislation that protects consumers against harmful products.
Therefore, it does not consider the use of parabens in consumer products and cosmetics to be harmful to health.
Nevertheless, parabens remain closely monitored by Health Canada, which mentions that several studies are currently underway to assess the risks associated with parabens during pregnancy.
Anaïs Lhôte – PasseportSanté.net
Sources: www.afssaps.fr and www.senat.fr/leg/ppl10-486.pdf
