US study finds undisclosed chemicals in 85% of personal care products

A recent study conducted in the United States has revealed that 85 percent of analyzed personal care and household products contain potentially harmful chemicals that were not listed on their ingredient labels. The research examined 113 products purchased from major retailers, including Target and Amazon, covering items such as shampoos, soaps, moisturizers, toothpastes, baby products, and cleaning agents.

Laboratory testing found that, on average, these products contained more than three times the amount of chemicals declared on their packaging. The study noted that even products marketed as “natural,” “green,” or “eco-friendly” were not exempt from contamination. Specifically, 26 percent of products labeled with these terms contained at least one potentially dangerous compound. Some products advertised as “100 percent natural” were found to contain synthetic chemicals, while phthalates were detected in items labeled “phthalate-free.”

Identified substances included phthalates, parabens, PFAS, and formaldehyde. These groups of compounds are associated with various health risks, including endocrine disruption, carcinogenicity, and potential neurological or reproductive issues.