science progresses
Mood:  quizzical

Just thinking about the scientific method and the idea that scientific progress is supposed to always move somehow towards a greater good.

Let's just hope!

Some published work about formaldehyde and also the various ways it can be hidden in various formulations (for instance, as methylene glycol, or as other compounds that ultimately release formaldehyde, like quaternium-15) might not be considered progress.

Just have a look at the conflict of interest statement on this paper from last July (2014) by Golden and Valentini. 

DOI: 10.1016/j.yrtph.2014.03.007

If anyone thinks this is the kind of toxicology study that helps the consumer, I would be more than surprised. 

Some might even call this a travesty of science (maybe I already have to some people, or even in this blog)!

Then, there is the problem of three formulations of J&J baby shampoo that are known.  Apparently, when taking out the formaldehyde- releasing quaternium-15, they still left in poly-quaternium-10, added two other preservatives and also acrylamide derivatives!  Then there is another formulation, made specifically to remove dioxane...  This seems very good, but what about the other ingredients? Who can tell, without some research, which might really be worst for genomic integrity?  Yet, even as these big brands bend to pressuure and actually change formulations, they don't really address consumer concerns or even admit to aim for improvements!  (Some might call this another travesty...) 

If there is anyone out there with a strong chemistry background willing to look at the three formulations for the old 'no-more-tears' and let me know what they think, please let me know!

I will end this with a more positive point.  People are interested and concerned, and at a local Women in Science event, I was encouraged also by the clear need for the 'genomic integrity' idea to become generally known.  

See more about this in the last hot news item from the AGiR! site.  

& take care!