Do you have dry scalp? Dandruff? You better read the label on your shampoo immediately!!!!
Neutrogena?
Neutrogena? Hmmm. Notice the dark color of the shampoo above..yes it is from the coal tar ingredient in this shampoo…and the smell makes you hold your nose like you are walking through a coal manufacturing facility.
Look for any of the following words that all mean the same thing: TOXIN!!!!!
Coal tar solution, tar, coal, carbo-cort, coal tar solution USP, crude coal tar, estar, impervotar, KC 261, lavatar, picis carbonis, naphtha, high solvent naphtha, naphtha distillate, benzin B70, petroleum benzin [1,2]
What is this stuff???
Coal tar is a known carcinogen derived from burning coal. It is a complex mixture of hundreds of compounds, many of which are polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) [3,4]. Coal tar is used in food, textiles, cosmetics and personal care products.
Experimental studies have found that application of and exposure to coal tar can lead to skin tumors, cancer, organ system damage and neurological damage. Many people are rubbing this on their head which easily allows for direct access to their brain!!!
What are the health concerns? Cancer: Experimental studies have found that exposure to and application of coal tar produce skin tumors. Coal tar has also been associated with cancer of the lung, bladder, kidney and digestive tract [5,6]. Benzo[a]pyrene, a constituent of coal tar, has been found to be carcinogenic through skin exposure [7,6]. There have been many reports of skin cancer among patients using therapeutic coal-tar preparations [5].
Organ System Toxicity: Pyridine, a coal tar constituent, has been linked to neurological damage. Effects include emotional and sleep disturbances, as well as loss of coordination [8,9].
If you are using coal tar containing shampoo or naphtha soap – throw them away!!
AMG Naturally does not yet sell shampoo or soap. When we are done with our research and have formulated the most hair and scalp- loving shampoo that smells natural, is natural, and really works amazing then you can buy it from AMG. In the meantime, we suggest:
- Coal Tar. Environmental Working Group’s Skin Deep cosmetic safety database. Available Online: https://www.ewg.org/skindeep/ingredient/701514/COAL_TAR/
- Don’t use food or products made with coal tar dyes. March 2013. Available Online: https://healthychild.org/easy-steps/dont-use-products-made-with-coal-tar-dyes/. Accessed November 5, 2013.
- Marston, C. P., Pereira, C., Ferguson, J., Fischer, K., Hedstrom, O., Dashwood, W. M., & Baird, W. M. (2001). Effect of a complex environmental mixture from coal tar containing polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) on the tumor initiation, PAH–DNA binding and metabolic activation of carcinogenic PAH in mouse epidermis. Carcinogenesis, 22(7), 1077-1086.
- Thomas, P. Behind the Label: Head and Shoulders classic clean (July 2008). Available Online: https://www.theecologist.org/green_green_living/behind_the_label/269804/behind_the_label_head_and_shoulders_classic_clean.html
- Coal Tar. Report on carcinogens 12 edition. Available Online: https://ntp.niehs.nih.gov/?objectid=03C9AF75-E1BF-FF40-DBA9EC0928DF8B15
- Bonner, M. R., Han, D., Nie, J., Rogerson, P., Vena, J. E., Muti, P., ... & Freudenheim, J. L. (2005). Breast cancer risk and exposure in early life to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons using total suspended particulates as a proxy measure. Cancer Epidemiology Biomarkers & Prevention, 14(1), 53-60.
- Fysh, J. M., Andrews, L. S., Pohl, L. R., & Nebert, D. W. (1980). Differing degrees of coal-tar shampoo-induced mutagenesis in the Salmonella/liver test system in vitro. Pharmacology, 20(1), 1-8.
- Pirydine. Material Data Safety Sheet. Available Online: https://www.mathesongas.com/pdfs/msds/MAT19990.pdf. Accessed November 5, 2013
- Pinsky, C., & Bose, R. (1988). Pyridine and other coal tar constituents as free radical-generating environmental neurotoxicants.Molecular and cellular biochemistry, 84(2), 217-222
Linda Lizotte
Author