Formaldehyde Banned from Children’s Products in Minnesota

Photo: Grant Cochrane/freedigitalphotos.net

State representatives in Minnesota have voted to ban formaldehyde, a cancer causing chemical, from children’s personal care products in an effort to protect children from toxic chemicals. The ban was approved after a 113-13 vote.

This ban will prohibit companies from intentionally using formaldehyde and formaldehyde-releasing preservatives in products intended for children under the age of eight. This will apply to children’s products such as soaps, lotions, shampoos, and bubble baths. Companies have until August 1, 2014 to remove these products from store shelves.

Formaldehyde is a commonly used chemical compound found in building materials and various household products. The colorless, flammable, and strong-smelling chemical is not considered an ingredient, and therefore consumers will not find it listed on product labels.

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