by: David L. Kern

Your children may be in danger from baby shampoos, skin lotions, baby wipes and toothpaste. According to doctors and medical researchers in the United States, Japan, Switzerland and Germany; two common ingredients found in ordinary shampoos and skin products may be linked to cataracts, cancer, eye damage and even blindness in young children.

Is Your Child at Risk?

SLS goes through the skin and builds up in the eyes of youn animals in clinical studies. It penetrates into the eyes, and is also held in the brain, heart and liver. A single drop of SLS stays in the brain and body for five days. This means that if you wash your child's hair more than once a week with a shampoo containing SLS, your child has constant levels of this harmful chemical in his eyes, brain and body all the time. And since SLS is absorbed through the skin, it does not have to enter the eye directly. Anywhere it touches the skin, it goes in.

Tips to Protect Your Little Ones

by Erla Charles

Skin cancer is a killer and it's increasing dramatically. One bad burn during childhood can double a child's risk of developing skin cancer later in life. A research shows 80% of a person's lifetime damage from ultraviolet rays from sun occurs before age 18.

Experts offer the following advice to help protect your children.

Keep babies under 12 months out of direct sunlight. Newborns should be protected in a covered stroller, cradle or under a sun umbrella.

Toddlers and older children can play in the sun, provided the following precautions are taken:

• Apply a sunscreen with an SPF of 15 or higher to all exposed areas. Pay particular attention to ears, nose and upper foot area. Re-apply often, especially after swimming.

• Cover your child with a sunhat, T-shirt and shorts, especially between 10 a.m. and 5 p.m. in the summer. The shorter your shadow, the more damaging the sun.

• Be aware of reflected light, particularly light reflected off water.

• Cloudy days can often cause serious sunburns. Up to 80 percent of the sun's harmful rays can penetrate haze, light clouds and fog.

• If your child is taking medication, check with your doctor before allowing her in the sun. Some medications react with sunlight, producing a rash, redness or swelling.

• Be especially vigilant if your child has fair skin and red or blonde hair. These childrens are most at risk for developing skin cancer as young adults.

To find great, safe sun-protection products...

1. Log on to: my Neways store
2. Click on "Products" to access the online catalog.
3. Scroll down and click on "Sun Protection."

I highly recommend the SUNBRERO (item code # 5794), a sun-block that provides safer sunning and full-spectrum ultraviolet protection from both UVB and UVA rays. In addition, it's SPF 30, and is formulated without ANY harmful ingredients. The very best support against premature aging of your skin and against skin cancer. .

The following is a condensed and re-edited version of the transcript of the PBS TV-program "NOW", segment: Kids and Chemicals, presented by Bill Moyer and aired on May 10, 2002.