Pdazzler

Retinyl Palmitate & Cancer

Retinyl Palmitate is contained in over 500 brands of sunscreen.  For years scientific studies have been incriminating retinyl palmitate as being a carcinogen or cancer causing agent.  Sunday, June 13th, New York Senator Chuck Shumer asked the FDA to quit stalling and release information from these studies so the American public would be made aware.

Source: (Reuters – June 13) – A senator on Sunday called on the FDA to reveal findings on a possible link between a chemical found in most sunscreens and skin cancer.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has been reviewing data from several studies on a potential link between retinyl palmitate (RP), a common sunscreen additive and cases of skin cancer, since July 2009, but has yet to issue any rulings or guidelines, Senator Charles Schumer said.

“With the recent reports suggesting a possible link between skin cancer and a common chemical found in sunscreens, the FDA must act now to protect consumers,”Schumer said at a news conference and in a later statement.

Sun Bathing

“Summer is here, people are soaking up the sun and the FDA needs to immediately provide guidance and reassurance to consumers,” the New York Democrat added.

The FDA’s National Center for Toxicological Research (NCTR) and the National Toxicology Program (NTP) have conducted studies that suggest a possible link between skin cancer and retinyl palmitate, Schumer said in calling for the FDA to provide its evaluation of the data and recommendations immediately.

He also pressed the agency for a time line for new sunscreen regulations.

Retinyl palmitate, a vitamin A derivative, is found in hundreds of the most popular sunscreen products.

One study found that tumors and lesions developed up to 21 percent faster in lab animals coated in retinyl palmitate-laced cream than animals treated with a cream that did not contain RP, Schumer’s office said.”

It’s time for dermatologists and the FDA to step up to the plate and call out the sunscreen industry on this continuing failure to warn the public.

Unfortunately, it doesn’t appear that will happen anytime soon.  Currently, the FDA is planning to withhold the information from the public until October, when the summer sales season is over.

If you’re thinking this is one more time our FDA is dancing to industry’s tune you are not alone.   Just like every other federal agency, the FDA serves it’s corporation sponsors first and foremost.

So what is the public to do?

Fortunately, the non-profit “Environmental Working Group” has put together recommendations for avoiding both retinyl palmitate (found in almost all sunscreens) and oxybenzone which is believed to be a “potential hormone disrupter”.   Of some 500 sun block products looked at less than 10% were found safe by Working Group standards.

If you are serious about protecting your family from cancer induced by the very industry products being sold to you for protection you owe it to yourself to visit the Environmental Working Groups website.   Not only is the list of products tested listed but you can search their database for sunscreens and suggestions to protect your family.

Environmental Working Group: “Best Beach & Sport Sunscreens”

And, for those of you that follow Pdazzler.com take full advantage of the summer to build up your Vitamin D levels naturally. Forty minutes to an hour mid-day sunning daily. Use care to protect the face and ears and turning regularly to avoid sunburn. By this fall you will have your required stores of Vitamin D naturally to prepare you for winter.