Laboratory analysis finds undisclosed chemicals in 98% of personal care products

A laboratory analysis published in the journal Environment & Health has found undisclosed chemicals in 98% of 113 tested personal care and cleaning products. The study, led by researchers including Jenna Hua of the Million Marker Research Institute, utilized nontargeted chemical analysis to screen for thousands of substances across 12 product categories, including shampoos, sunscreens, soaps, and baby lotions.

On average, product labels listed only 16 ingredients, while laboratory testing detected an average of 51 chemicals per product. The researchers found that 85% of the tested items contained at least one unlisted chemical with known or suspected health hazards, such as phthalates, parabens, fragrance chemicals, and BHT. These substances have been linked in scientific literature to hormone disruption, reproductive issues, allergies, and metabolic changes.

The study also revealed that one in four products contained chemicals that contradicted their marketing claims. For instance, some items labeled as ‘phthalate-free’ were found to contain phthalates. Researchers noted that while some unlisted substances may result from raw materials or packaging, the prevalence of undisclosed chemicals suggests that reading labels may not fully protect consumers from exposure.