The hair and cosmetics industry is the one of the United States’ largest contributors of pollution to the human body, the environment, and our water supply. In fact, here on Cape Cod, the hair salons are one of the largest contributors to the water pollution problem. There are over 340 hair salons on Cape Cod, and many or all of them are contributing to our water pollution problem by using carcinogenic, chemical-laden products (hair color, hair bleach, hair shampoos and conditioners, etc.). Roots Organic Salon is one of the few hair salons on Cape Cod that is not contributing to the water pollution problem on Cape Cod. We are proud to be one of the only hair salons on Cape Cod using chemical-free, organic products for hair highlighting as well as all hair and beauty/cosmetic products such as shampoos, conditioners, etc. We are dedicated to offering organic solutions for hair color, cut, and care. There are also a large number of hairdressers working illegally out of their home and polluting the water through the use of chemicals in the hairdressing products they are using. (See Roots’ Board of Health speech here for more information on this increasingly problematic and unmonitored source of pollution of our water supply.)
Hair salons that use carcinogenic products are dangerous to a woman’s health and to our environment. Carcinogenic products are being used not only in salons but by women across the United States buying products in our drugstores and supermarkets. (See the Campaign for Safe Cosmetics’ new video for an excellent overview on carcinogenic ingredients in beauty products.) Roots Organic Salon is one of the only hair salons on Cape Cod that is NOT contributing to water pollution. Roots Organic Salon is concerned about the health of the human body, and offers all-natural services and products that will not harm the body. In fact, within the next few years, all salons on Cape Cod will be required to install costly holding tanks to contain their carcinogenic hair chemicals. Roots Organic Salon uses only certified organic hair products and methods. We also ONLY use a food-grade peroxide with a mild chemical-free non-damaging lifting agent that is applied with an off-scalp method, thereby preventing any possible skin absorption of this product, and we use and sell only organic hair and skin products.
Roots Organic Salon has set higher standards for the products we use and sell than those set by the federal government. We care immensely about the health of women and about the environment, and are committed to bringing you safe products and a safe salon experience.
In June 2010, Lenny Holtzman, the Founder of Roots, gave a speech at the Town of Barnstable Board of Health town meeting regarding water quality issues on Cape Cod and presented the issue of the hair and cosmetics industry, as well as “home hair stylists”, contributing to the water pollution on Cape Cod.
What is Certified Organic?
USDA Certified Organic products are produced without the use of synthetic preservatives, petrochemicals, ionizing radiation or pesticides. The USDA has established a national standard for organic labeling. There are three classifications based on the percentage of organic ingredients in the product.
- 100 percent organic: Must contain only organically produced ingredients. The USDA seal may appear on the package.
- Organic: Must contain 95 percent minimum organically produced ingredients. Products cannot be produced using synthetic preservatives, petrochemicals, ionizing radiation or any other excluded methods. The USDA seal may appear on the package.
- Made with Organic Ingredients: Contain at least 70 percent organic ingredients. The USDA seal cannot be used anywhere on the package.
Why Choose USDA Certified Organic?
The only way customers can be assured that they are purchasing certified organic products produced without the use of synthetic chemicals is to purchase products that bears the seal of the USDA. What are the benefits of using USDA Certified Organic products? The skin is the largest organ in our body, it absorbs over 65% of the ingredients we put on it. Organic ingredients are rich in antioxidants, essential vitamins and nutrients. Antioxidants help prevent the signs of aging and will not cause any harmful side effects commonly associated with non-organic ingredients.
The Organic Consumers Association’s Coming Clean Campaign has been working to clean up the “organic” cosmetics industry since 2004.
The mission of the Organic Trade Association is to encourage global sustainability by promoting diverse organic trade.
Roots only sells products that are cruelty-free and that are never tested on animals.
Just Launched by The Campaign for Safe Cosmetics:
The Story of Cosmetics
Wouldn’t it be great if there were a short, hard-hitting video about toxic chemicals in cosmetics and their impact on our health – a video that could reach millions? Watch this fantastic informative video!
Roots is a supporter of The Campaign for Safe Cosmetics, www.safecosmetics.org. The Campaign for Safe Cosmetics is a national coalition of health and environmental groups working to eliminate harmful chemicals from personal care products. Our goal is to protect the health of consumers, workers and the environment while simultaneously fostering a vibrant, green economy that creates new opportunities for sustainable businesses.
Just Introduced:
The Safe Cosmetics Act of 2010 – Landmark Legislation
Toxic Chemicals in Cosmetics: New Legislation to Prevent Exposure
(source: safecosmetics.org) For the first time in 70 years, Congress is ready to close the gaping holes in the outdated federal law that allows chemicals linked to cancer, birth defects, learning disabilities and other illnesses in the products we use on our bodies every day.
On July 21, 2010, Reps. Jan Schakowsky, D-Ill., Ed Markey, D-Mass., and Tammy Baldwin, D-Wisc., introduced the Safe Cosmetics Act of 2010, (HR 5786), which gives the Food and Drug Administration authority to ensure that personal care products are free of harmful ingredients. Existing law, passed in 1938, granted decision-making about ingredient safety to the cosmetics industry.
Q & A
Q. What can I do to help support chemical-free hair and cosmetic products and a cleaner environment?
Answer: Purchase and use only organic or safe cosmetics. Use the services of a hair salon that is organic and that does not contribute to water pollution. (Roots Organic Salon is one of the few salons on Cape Cod that uses organic and safe cosmetics and does not contribute to water pollution.) Visit www.safecosmetics.org and show your support for Safe Cosmetics Act of 2010. For the first time in 70 years, Congress is ready to close the gaping holes in the outdated federal law that allows chemicals linked to cancer, birth defects, learning disabilities and other illnesses in the products we use on our bodies every day.
Q. Where can I get more information and how can I support safe, organic, and cruelty-free (not tested on animals) cosmetics?
Answer: Visit www.safecosmetics.org and show your support for Safe Cosmetics Act of 2010. For the first time in 70 years, Congress is ready to close the gaping holes in the outdated federal law that allows chemicals linked to cancer, birth defects, learning disabilities and other illnesses in the products we use on our bodies every day.
Download a list of signers of The Compact for Safe Cosmetics. When companies sign the Compact for Safe Cosmetics, they are pledging not only to make safer products, but also to provide greater transparency to consumers about their products. Roots Organic Salon is committed to only carrying cosmetics from companies who have signed this pledge. Innersense Organics, an organic hair and skin care line carried by Roots Organic Salon, is on this list.
The Coalition for Consumer Information on Cosmetics’ (CCIC) Leaping Bunny Program administers a cruelty-free standard and the internationally recognized Leaping Bunny Logo for companies producing cosmetic, personal care, and household products. The Leaping Bunny Program provides the best assurance that no new animal testing is used in any phase of product development by the company, its laboratories, or suppliers.
Download a Cruelty-Free Shopping Guide or a list of Cruelty-Free Companies or a of companies that do not test on animals in any stage of their product creation or production. Roots Organic Salon and Online Store only sells products that have been certified by the Coalition for Consumer Information on Cosmetics’ (CCIC) Leaping Bunny Program.
Visit Caring Consumer.com – A Guide to Kind Living, where you will find the Caring Consumer searchable database of companies that do and that do not test their products on animals. Many people do not know that large cosmetics corporations such as Clairol, Johnson & Johnson, Dial Corporation, Pantene, Suave, Shisheido, L’Oreal, Proctor & Gamble, and Ponds, all test on animals. Be a caring consumer and only purchase from the list of companies that do NOT test on animals.
Q. Where can I get more information on environmental issues?
Answer: United States Environmental Protection Agency – Founded in 1970, The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA or sometimes USEPA) is an agency of the federal government of the United States charged with protecting human health and the environment, by writing and enforcing regulations based on laws passed by Congress.
Silent Spring Institute – Founded in 1994, Silent Spring Institute builds on a unique partnership of scientists, physicians, public health advocates, and community activists to identify and break the links between the environment and women’s health, especially breast cancer.
Green America – Green America is a not-for-profit membership organization founded in 1982.
Environmental Working Group (EWG) – founded in 1993, works to protect kids from toxic chemicals in our food, water, air and the products we use every day.
Sierra Club of Massachusetts Cape & Islands Group – The Cape Cod Group is especially concerned about protecting drinking water supplies, reducing exposures to toxics, and promoting energy conservation.
Toxics Action Center – Founded in 1987, Toxics Action Center’s mission is to work side-by-side with communities, providing you with the skills and resources needed to prevent or clean up pollution at the local level.
Beyond Pesticides – Founded in 1981, works with allies in protecting public health and the environment to lead the transition to a world free of toxic pesticides.
The Alliance for a Healthy Tomorrow Coalition – The Alliance for a Healthy Tomorrow (AHT) is a coalition of citizens, scientists, health professionals, workers, and educators seeking preventive action on toxic hazards.
Environmental Research Foundation – Founded in 1980, The Environmental Research Foundation (ERF) supports grass-roots activists working on toxics and social justice issues locally, regionally and nationally.
GreenCAPE – Cape Alliance for Pesticide Education/ Non-Toxic Strategies for a sustainable Cape Cod – The Mission of GreenCAPE is to encourage nontoxic methods of pest control, agriculture, home, garden, lawn and turf care and so eliminate hazards from our air and water. We are located on Cape Cod, Massachusetts.
