Gwyneth Paltrow blogs that shampoo causes childhood cancer
Gwyneth Paltrow and her “inner aspect” are at it again, in the form of her weekly Goop newsletter. Filled with Gwyneth’s deep thoughts on everything from what ridiculously expensive presents you should give, how you should jet off to Paris, and why you should follow her crazy diet and detoxes, Gwyneth is never above telling us exactly how to live our lives. Her preachy voice is so obvious in the newsletter that it’s pretty clear she really does write it herself.
In this week’s edition, Gwyneth’s going on about how the chemicals in shampoo have dramatically increased the rate of childhood cancer, and are also the cause of ADHD and autism.
Gwyneth Paltrow has been branded ‘loopy’ by scientists after warning that products such as shampoo could be linked to cancer. [She] says she was ‘seized with fear’ after reading research about what she calls ‘environmental toxins’ – chemicals which are present in everyday items. [She] said children were unable to easily break down toxins and claimed the number of children getting cancer and autism was growing ‘exponentially’.
Leading bacteriologist Professor Hugh Pennington described her claims as ‘rubbish’ and ‘loopy’. And Cancer Research UK said the number of children with cancer had not changed in the past ten years and there was no known environmental cause for the disease.
She said: ‘A couple of years ago I was asked to give a quote for a book concerning environmental toxins and their effects on our children. While reading up on the subject, I was seized with fear about what the research said. ‘Foetuses, infants and toddlers are basically unable to metabolize toxins the way that adults are, and we are constantly filling our environments with chemicals that may or may not be safe… The research is troubling; the incidence of diseases in children such as asthma, cancer and autism have shot up exponentially and many children we all know and love have been diagnosed with developmental issues like ADHD [Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder].’
Miss Paltrow quotes Dr Philip Landrigan, a paediatrician at Mount Sinai School of Medicine in California, saying that children are ‘at risk of exposure’ to 80,000 chemicals. He adds: ‘Nearly all of these are new chemicals developed in the past 50 years… These chemicals are used widely in consumer and household goods, like personal care products, cleaning supplies, pesticides, paints, toys, home furnishings, carpeting and electronics.’ Dr Landrigan claims that asthma rates and childhood obesity have increased, as well as leukaemia and brain cancer, commenting: ‘These increases of chronic disease in our children are a stark warning that something is going very wrong.’
Miss Paltrow also cites campaigner Christopher Gavigan, saying: ‘Ever read the chemical ingredients list on your shampoo or lotion? Not an easy task. Sixty per cent of what goes on the skin is absorb [sic] into the body – so avoiding chemicals here is super important, especially for pregnant moms.’
[From the Daily Mail]
Here’s the thing: there is legitimacy to at least part of what Gwyneth is saying. Many, many people experience chemical sensitivities that can range from skin reactions to severe headaches and an inability to breathe. There could be all sorts of causes of autism: it’s a hotly debated issue. So while I’d like to say hogwash to everything out of Gwyneth’s mouth, I can’t. But that said, I think an important thing to note is what bacteriologist Professor Hugh Pennington told the Daily Mail: “‘It does annoy me when celebrities use their position to spout nonsense. They have a perfect right to their views, even if they are loopy, but they do hold a position of influence. [But] You may as well ask someone on the Underground.’”
Gwyneth is not the person to be saying this stuff, especially on her Goop website. She’s acknowledged that she knows the site grates on most people’s nerves. She’s also said it doesn’t matter to her that it has that effect. If she really cares about this issue, then she should not discuss it via Goop, and should find another way to get the message out there. The problem is that people will focus on Gwyneth, and how she is once again lecturing everyone. They will miss the message, which is a shame.
It appears that the missive has been removed from Goop. I browsed around and searched without any luck. When I stop to think about it, Gwyneth has actually said a few good things in her emails. The problem is that both she and her website are so loathsome that the good stuff gets lost.
Header of Gwyneth at the ‘Valentino: The Last Emperor’ premiere in Los Angeles on Wednesday. Images thanks to WENN .
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