@emilyrose: I like science because it explains things. I also like facts, and here they are:
One of the three parabens is banned in Europe for use as a FOOD ADDITIVE and the ban has nothing to do with cancer.
Here is an excerpt:
“In September the European Food Safety Authority concluded that a group ADI (Acceptable Daily Intake) of 0–10 mg/kg body weight per day could now be established for methyl and ethyl parabens and their sodium salts, but not propyl paraben due to recent research that questioned its impact on sperm production in rats.
As a result the Commission proposed this week to ban paraben (E216) and its sodium salt (E217) from the market, but rules stay the same for the other parabens.”
from this site HERE
As I said above, parabens, being the oldest, have been the most studied. Which preservatives do you know to be safer? If you say none, I hope you aren’t using any non-preserved products, especially around your eyes. The damage that can cause is pretty horrendous as well.
As for “stuff…about plastics”, I assume you are referring to bisphenol A. Studies HAVE shown that there may exist a CAUSAL link between bisphenol A and damage to infants/children. Damage potential includes brain damage sufficent to diminish learning capacity. The key difference is CAUSAL.
In response to this information, CANADA has banned the sale of polycarbonate in baby and infant products, and many stores have voluntarily removed all polycarbonate containers. This would be the safe thing to do, but it is not based on rumour.
Feel free to make any decisions you like, but you should know the facts and avoid perpetuating false information. If you read all the lists about what is bad for you, you won’t have much left to choose from.