Science Wednesday: EPA Teams Up with L’Oréal to Advance Research
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By Monica Linnenbrink
Now I can look great and feel good about using my favorite mascara. Why? Because EPA researchers are collaborating with L’Oréal to help end the need for animal testing. EPA is using its ToxCast program to screen chemicals to understand their potential impact on biological processes that may lead to adverse health effects.
EPA’s ToxCast program screens chemicals using state-of-the-art scientific methods (including robots!) to learn how these chemicals affect the human body. We’ve never tested chemicals found in cosmetics before, so this partnership with L’Oréal will expand the types of chemicals that ToxCast screens.
L’Oréal is providing EPA $1.2 million in collaborative research funding plus safety data from a set of representative substances used in cosmetics, which will expand the types of chemical use groups assessed by ToxCast. EPA will then compare its ToxCast results to L’Oréal’s data to determine if ToxCast is appropriate for use in assessing the safety of chemicals used in cosmetics.
Traditional chemical toxicity testing is very expensive and time consuming, so many chemicals in use today have not been thoroughly evaluated for potential toxicity. ToxCast, on the other hand, is able to rapidly screen thousands of chemicals via hundreds of tests and provide results that are relevant to various types of toxicity.
As someone who uses L’Oréal products, I’m excited that they are taking the initiative to better understand how chemicals in their cosmetics might interact with my body’s natural processes. I’m also excited to hear that they are exploring new ways of testing that could end the need for animal testing. Since I use their products on my face, it’s nice to know that L’Oréal is working to ensure their products are safe to use and are working to do this in an animal friendly way.
About the author: Monica Linnenbrink is a Public Affairs Specialist in EPA’s Office of Research and Development.
Editor’s Note: The opinions expressed in Greenversations are those of the author. They do not reflect EPA policy, endorsement, or action, and EPA does not verify the accuracy or science of the contents of the blog.
Editor's Note: The opinions expressed in Greenversations are those of the author. They do not reflect EPA policy, endorsement, or action, and EPA does not verify the accuracy or science of the contents of the blog.
Let’s The Youth Choose : Celebrities of EPA’s !!!
Environmental not only identical with just the disasters. They also need performances, begin from green of grass, cool of volunteers and miscellaneous of glamorous. Environmental not only identified with the poor land and damage suit, but also luxurious neighborhood that the young people desirous. Welcome L’Oreal…!
Many chemical substances are developed every day.
I think that it is difficult to confirm individual safety practically.
If even basic security confirmation is possible,
With that alone relief is different
I think so.
This looks like a good thing for all involved. I read today on another blog that Loreal is against testing on animals as well as having environmentally friendly products.
ToxCast is faster and more efficient than the previous method as well.
Its very nice step to the human and animal welfare Moreover i am happy that L’Oréal is working to ensure their products are safe to use and are working to do this in an animal friendly way.This might be helpful for the people who are much conscious for there skin and Eco conscious as well. They will be trend setters for other skincare manufacturing units.
Monica,
This is great but I wasn’t sure if this applied strictly to L’Oreal or if this is an industry wide program? It would be fantastic if animal testing was eliminated not just with one large player in the industry but across the entire cosmetics industry. Animal testing as a whole needs to be more closely regulated.