Cinco Vidas

Can you imagine how you would feel if doctors took a blood test and found chemicals? It happened to Emma Spencer, a teenage girl who gave blood as part of a study by the Environmental Working Group (EWG). Scientists found pthalates, parabens, and fragrances coursing through her veins—possibly from the makeup and personal-care products she uses everyday.

“It’s definitely scary,” she said. “I’ve been using all of these things all of my life and not realizing it.”

In the survey, EWG detected 16 chemicals from 4 chemical families (phthalates, triclosan, parabens and musks) in the blood and urine samples from 20 teen girls age 14-19. Two of the parabens were detected in every single girl tested. (more…)