The Molecule Project: What chemicals are in the personal care products we use?
You will be researching and presenting on a synthetic chemical that is found in some of your personal care products. Use the links below to research your chemical.
Resources to Identify chemicals and whether your chemical is an endocrine disruptor or carcinogen
Resources to find safe products to use
Do not limit yourself to these resources. You may search the internet on your own.
- DavidSuzuki.org Dirty Dozen list
- American Cancer Society
- National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences
- Breast Cancer UK
- Campaign for Safe Cosmetics
- Environmental Working Group Dirty Dozen List of Endocrine Disruptors
- TEDx List of Endocrine Disruptors (you can search for your chemical)
Resources to find safe products to use
Do not limit yourself to these resources. You may search the internet on your own.
What should I include in my presentation?
- Name of the synthetic chemical that you researched
- Description of the chemical: physical description, where it is made, how it is made.
- Names of specific products and brands that contain this chemical, including products you use
- What the chemical is used for (foaming? moisturizer? etc.) - why it's included in those products
- Impacts on human health and well-being, and impacts on environment
- Alternatives to products that contain this chemical -- What are healthy alternatives?