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Rerelease-Press Conference, September 22, 1995,
National Press Club, Washington, D.C.
CANCER GROUP AND RALPH NADER RELEASE FIRST ANNUAL
"DIRTY DOZEN" CONSUMER PRODUCT LIST
Washington, D.C. -- The Cancer Prevention Coalition (CPC) and Ralph
Nader will release a "Dirty Dozen" list of consumer products used in most
American homes, and manufactured by giant U.S. corporations. Brand named
"Dirty Dozen" products include Ajax Cleanser®,
Clairol® Nice n' Easy Haircolor and Lysol®
Disinfectant.
The "Dirty Dozen" products contain a wide-range of carcinogenic and
other toxic ingredients and contaminants to which most of us are exposed
daily.
CPC Chairperson Samuel Epstein, M.D., and renowned scientist and
toxicologist, and investigative journalist, David Steinman, compiled the
"Dirty Dozen" from data on over 3,500 consumer products analyzed and
ranked in their recently published The Safe Shopper's Bible. The
good news is that safer alternatives are available for all the "Dirty
Dozen."
Nader and CPC urged the manufacturers of the "Dirty Dozen" to
reformulate their products with non-toxic alternatives. "Ironically, some
"Dirty Dozen" manufacturers also market safer alternatives, "said Dr.
Epstein.
"What is particularly galling about the 'Dirty Dozen,' emphasized Ralph
Nader, "Is that these toxic chemicals don't have to be there. Yet these
corporations continue to expose people to health hazards
unnecessarily."
Current product labeling provides no warning for cancer and other
chronic health risks. Food is labeled for cholesterol, but not for
carcinogens. Cosmetics are labeled for major ingredients, but not for
those that form carcinogens or contain carcinogenic contaminants. Except
for pesticides, household products contain no information on their
ingredients.
Cancer rates are skyrocketing. Currently, more than one-third of all us
will develop cancer in our lifetime, and one-fourth will die from the
disease. Many cancers are due to avoidable exposures to industrial
carcinogens in the food we eat, and the cosmetics and household products
we use.
"Americans have a fundamental right-to-know about hazardous chemicals
in all consumer products they buy, and the cancer and other risks of those
chemicals -- information that remains hidden in government and industry
files," concluded Dr. Epstein. "With this knowledge, consumers can protect
themselves by voting with their shopping dollars and buying safer
alternatives." | 