Sunscreens and Nano Particles

13 January 2009

For Immediate release

Media Statement – Sunscreens and Nano Particles

The Cosmetic Toiletry and Fragrance Association today reassured consumers about the safety of Sunscreens containing Titanium Dioxide and Zinc Oxide in nano particle form.

An article appearing in the New Zealand Herald is highly inaccurate and misleading to consumers about the safety of Sunscreens in New Zealand.

The use of these ingredients is particularly important to the effectiveness of those sunscreens in the market in providing the maximum SPF protection to consumers and there use in Nano Particle form has no established risk to consumers with a wide range of research being conducted around the world to ensure the remains the case whether with these ingredients or others.

While not all sunscreens use these ingredients this is not due to safety but due to alternative technologies options giving consumers other choices and allowing for higher SPF protection in some cases.

There is no reason to consider a ban and there is no link to cancer or even skin rashes from the use of this technology as claimed in the New Zealand Herald.

All Sunscreens sold in New Zealand must conform to the Cosmetic Group Standard Regulation (2008) under the Hazardous Substances and New Organisms Act 1996 and are required to be safe. Both Titanium Dioxide and Zinc Oxide are specifically listed as approved under the Cosmetic Group Standard for use in nano particle form. Any other ingredient must also be notified to the Environmental Risk Management Authority before the Sunscreen can be marketed in New Zealand.

Consumers need to apply sunscreen at this time of year to protect against skin damage and they should not be concerned about the safety of the sunscreens available in the New Zealand market which has adequate regulatory controls to ensure that safety.

ENDS

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