Thanks to Beth Schenk for writing the great article "Beware Beauty Products" in the Sept. 15 Missoulian about toxic chemicals in personal care products. It's logical to think that your favorite shampoo, deodorant or cosmetics have been tested for safety before they are allowed on the market, but that's actually far from the truth.

Of the 12,500 chemicals used in cosmetics, only 11 percent have been evaluated for safety. For comparison, the European Union bans 1,100 chemicals from use in cosmetics because of health concerns; the U.S. has banned a total of 11. This statistic is all the more disturbing given the fact that certain chemicals commonly found in personal care products have been linked to cancer, reproductive harm and endocrine disruption.

Women's Voices for the Earth, founded right here in Missoula, is one of the organizations spearheading the national effort to eliminate the use of harmful chemicals in personal care products. WVE is a founding member of the Campaign for Safe Cosmetics, and is very involved in the campaign's work for strong, consistent government regulation of chemicals in beauty products.

WVE believes that chemicals should be proven to be safe before they can be included in our favorite products and sold to us. Check out www.womenandenvironment.org for more information on how to reduce your exposure to possible carcinogens, mutagens, endocrine disruptors and other toxic chemicals in beauty products.

Erin Switalksi, Women's Voices for the Earth, Missoula